Should I use concrete or cement for fence posts?

Fast-setting concrete is ideal for installing fence posts since it doesn't need to be mixed in a bucket or a wheelbarrow. Once you've finished digging your post holes, add about three to four inches of gravel into the bottom and compact it using a post or a 2x4.
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Should I use concrete for fence posts?

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.
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What can I use instead of concrete for fence posts?

Fence posts can be anchored with gravel, resulting in surprisingly strong anchors that also drain away moisture to prevent water damage. Posts can also be secured using fence post spikes – which are specially made metal anchoring spikes that don't require digging to install.
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What is the best material to use for fence posts?

Pine is the most common and, when pressure treated, can last for up to 30 years. Other long-lasting types are Redwood and Sweetgum. Some tree species don't need to be treated and can last up to 25 years.
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Can you set fence posts without concrete?

Did you know that it is actually completely possible to set wooden posts in your yard without using ANY concrete? It's true! Setting them without concrete will save you time and money, but there is a correct way to do it in order to prevent rot.
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Truth About Fast-Setting Concrete Mix // Setting Fence Posts



Is 2 feet deep enough for fence posts?

The depth of the hole should be 1/3-1/2 the post height above ground (i.e., a 6-foot tall fence would require a hole depth of at least 2 feet).
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How do you keep fence posts from rotting in concrete?

Fill the first three inches up with gravel so the end of the post doesn't come into contact with the dirt. Gravel allows water to drain quickly away from the post and into the soil. Be sure to place the post in the center of the hole. Finally, fill the entire hole up with cement to the top.
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What fence post lasts the longest?

It is resistant to pests, rain, snow, temperature changes, and other elements. That is why vinyl fencing is the longest lasting fence material.
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Should you put gravel under fence post?

If a fence post fails without any sign of a pest infestation, it's likely that the failure was caused by moisture that rotted the wood over time. To help slow such deterioration, add pea gravel or crushed stone to the bottom of the posthole.
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What is the strongest fence post?

DuraPost is stronger than both concrete and timber fence posts and is guaranteed to last up to 25 years. Made from galvanised steel, DuraPost doesn't rot, split, warp, crack or chip and can even withstand winds of up to 110mph!
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Which is better foam or concrete for fence posts?

Cost – When comparing price, you will find that a bag of concrete will cost less than a bag of post foam. Heavier – Concrete weighs more than post foam material providing an anchor effect. This is beneficial for those building fences in softer ground.
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Is post foam better than concrete?

Concrete provides a strong support for these products. Expanded foam has nowhere near the density or rigidity. It is plenty strong enough to hold the post up under normal circumstances, but has little structural strength.
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Should wooden fence posts be cemented?

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.
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Do pressure treated posts rot in concrete?

Simply setting the posts in concrete does create a condition that will accelerate rot in the bottom of the posts. With pressure-treated posts, the rot will be slow.
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How long will a treated 4x4 post last in the ground?

A treated 4×4 will last 20 to 25 years in the ground if the conditions in the soil and climate are favorable. That number could increase to 40 to 75 years if you install the treated 4×4 in a cement ring rather than the soil. There are a few factors that influence how long the 4×4 can last in the ground.
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What size gravel is best for fence posts?

The ideal size gravel for fence posts is roughly three-eighths of an inch in size. You should find a happy medium between finer gravel, which provides good support, and larger-sized gravel that will provide good drainage and prevent the wood from rotting (or metal from rusting).
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How deep should a 7 foot fence post be?

How Deep Should a Fence Post Be? For an average fence post, about 6 to 8 feet tall, prepare to dig a post hole about 2 feet deep. To install a fence post, you'll need a shovel or post digger, a 6-foot level, soil, and gravel or crushed stone.
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What do you backfill a fence post with?

Many fence builders use concrete for each post they set, but there are advantages to backfilling with gravel, and in some circumstances, soil may be the best option. You can avoid backfilling altogether, and get superior drainage, by bolting posts to galvanized holders set in concrete.
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How long will a concrete fence post last?

Concrete is as sturdy and durable a building material as you'll find. With just a minimal level of maintenance, concrete fence posts can last for around 25 years. However, they are not immune to wear and tear. Over time, wind and rain can cause concrete posts to chip and crack.
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How long do pressure treated fence posts last?

If properly treated and installed, pine fence posts can last for 20–35 years; untreated pine posts might only last 3–7 years. chemical in the posts.
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How long will a pressure treated wood fence last?

But how long do pressure-treated wooden fences actually last? From what we've seen during our last 12 years of business, a typical pressure-treated wooden fence lifespan is about 15-20 years. Around the 15-year mark is when most homeowners report seeing noticeable aesthetic declines, like rotting and splitting.
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How many bags of cement do I need for a fence post?

1 – 4 bags of concrete per fence post are typically what's needed. This depends on the type of soil, fence design, height, post size and bag weight. In general the depth of the post's hole needs to be 1/3 to 1/2 of the above ground height of the post.
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What do you put between wood and concrete?

Anyplace where wood meets the ground or concrete, the lumber must be pressure treated. For additional moisture protection, a gasket or strip of closed-cell foam can be installed between the concrete foundation and the sill plate.
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