Can you put a fence post in concrete?

Setting Fence Posts in Concrete Concrete is the most secure material for setting fence posts, especially if you have sandy soil. Gravel may be okay with dense, clay-heavy soil, but in looser soil, concrete is the only thing that will truly keep your fence posts stuck in place.

Can you set wooden posts in concrete?

First rule, gang: Do not set wooden posts in concrete. Look, no matter what preventative steps you take (and I’ll get to those), eventually wooden posts rot, and eventually you’ll have to set new ones. Not only does burying them in concrete make for more work down the line, it actually can speed up the rotting.

What is the best way to set fence posts in concrete?

Set the post into the hole and attach 2×4 braces to adjacent sides of the post. Use a level to position the post perfectly vertical. Fill the hole with Fast-Setting Concrete up to 3 to 4 inches below ground level. Pour about a gallon of water per 50 lb bag into the hole and allow the water to saturate the concrete mix.

Do wood fence posts need concrete?

Concrete provides a strong foundation for wooden fence posts, but can rot them more quickly. Setting them in dirt, with or without gravel or crushed rock depending on your soil type, can help the posts last longer before going rotten. You can also use metal fence post anchors to prolong their life.

How many bags of concrete do I need for a post hole?

Most fence post holes will need between 1 – 4 bags of concrete to securely hold the post in place. The best way to determine the size of the hole is: Diameter of the hole is 3 times the width of the fence post. Depth of the hole is one-third to half the above ground height of the fence post.

How many bags of concrete do I need per fence post?

How many bags of concrete do I need for a 2 foot post hole?

How Many Bags You Need

Depth of hole in inches (1/2-1/3 post height) # of bags for hole w/9 inch diameter (3″ post) # of bags for hole w/12 inch diameter (4″ post)
12 inches 1 bag 2 bags
14 inches 2 bags 2 bags
16 inches 2 bags 3 bags
18 inches 2 bags 3 bags

How do you install a fence post in concrete?

Setting the Fence Post with Concrete Set posts in concrete when stability is extra important. Prepare your fence posts. Dig a wide hole. Add a few inches of gravel. Brace the post. Repeat for each post hole. Add more gravel. Mix your concrete. Fill the hole with concrete. Trowel the concrete into a slope shape.

What is the best concrete for setting fence posts?

Poured concrete is a top choice for setting fence posts in the ground and while it makes a strong anchor, the solid block makes it difficult to move the fence in the future. Gravel is one of the main ingredients in concrete, helping to bind the cement material, but gravel actually makes a strong, sturdy base for posts if properly compacted.

How do you install a fence post?

Installing Fence Posts. Dig a hole for the first post at the corner of the fence. To get started, you’ll need to start installing the fence posts, which will form the corners of the fence. Dig a hole that is twice the diameter of the post and one-third of the height of the post, using a posthole digger.

How do you set a fence post?

To set the fence post for a wooden picket fence: Set stakes to mark the outline of the fence just outside the fence perimeter. Attach string to the stakes and pull it tight to outline the location for the posts. Measure the length of your fence panels and mark the location of the postholes. For our project we spaced the posts 8’ apart.