How Deep To Set Fence Posts In Concrete

How Deep Should Fence Posts Exist?

August 10, 2022

Todd Foster

So you're ready to build a fence. You lot've planned the layout, picked your materials marked out your property lines and all underground utility lines and are gear up to start building!

Step one, and arguably the almost important stride is setting out all your fence posts. Posts provide the base of operations, support and strength for the unabridged fence. Generally speaking, posts are spaced six to 8 feet apart and you volition desire to make sure they are level with each other.

Just what about the depth you inquire? How deep does my fence post need to be? Read on to discover out more…

How Should I Dig My Post Holes?

Before we explore post holes, the frost line, the ground conditions and and then on, we demand to plant the best way to actually dig the perfect post hole.

Yous may be thinking to yourself, "There's no shortage of ways to dig your holes" and you'd be right. However, we advise using the right tools for the job. The best tools are pigsty auger or mail service hole digger (known every bit a clamshell). Using a conventional shovel will create flat-walled, barrel-shaped holes that aren't ideally suited to conform posts. Especially here in Canada, you will also need to ensure that the posts are set up beneath the frost line to prevent heaving.

If I had a dollar for the number of times we've seen fences that aren't level, a post out of line, ane hole deeper than another and various other mishaps.

Should Fence Posts Be Set In Concrete?

The simple answer to these questions is yes! Concrete is the most secure material when it comes to setting fence posts, especially if you lot have sandy soil. Other materials such as gravel may be suitable when the ground is predominantly dense, heavy dirt, just is looser soil, concrete is the mode to become.

Pro Tip: Although concrete is extremely sturdy it lacks the drainage qualities of gravel. This will ultimately upshot in an increased corporeality of moisture, leading to rot. To combat this, when you lot pour your concrete, fill the pigsty then that the top of your concrete forms a dome shape. This will allow for runoff, directing the h2o away from the base of operations of your post.

Is ii-Feet Deep Plenty For Debate Posts?

We've established that spacing is extremely of import, simply what about the depth of your post holes. A mutual question we receive is "Is 2 ft (24 Inches) deep plenty for posts". The answer to this question will depend on the project you are taking on. In that location are times where the height may non exceed 6ft. In these cases, the postal service pigsty doesn't take to be equally deep as information technology would for a 6ft and above the contend.

Annihilation less than 24 inches will put your fence at take a chance of blowing over in adverse weather weather condition. Remember, these are wood posts that have been set in concrete, if your fence post isn't deep plenty, information technology is prone to snapping and collapsing all of your difficult piece of work.

Is 3-Feet Deep Plenty For Fence Posts?

As mentioned earlier, the depth y'all must dig for your contend post should always depend on the size of the fence you lot are building. As a full general rule of pollex one-3rd of your post should exist underground, the other two-thirds above. Allow's take a standard 6foot (72 inches) fence as an example. You will need a 9foot (108 Inches) post so that 3ft (35 inches) can be surreptitious and 6ft can be above footing.

Equally always, make certain the hole is dug to accommodate the post y'all are using to back up the structure. you will want to accept nice level posts that have been set in concrete. Having the concrete set up in the dome formation will ensure that less moisture will be retained.

So...What Did We Larn?

When it comes to building a debate the depth of the postal service will depend on the size of the fence you are edifice. It's recommended that you dig your pigsty with the correct tools so that your wood postal service sits snug within that infinite.

Depending on the ground you are looking to construct the argue on, yous may need to appraise the situation to select materials that will work with your site. It is very common for wood posts to have water damage considering the architect didn't take into account where the frost line is, or setting the posts to allow for drainage.

Ensure that your post is one-3rd below the basis and two-thirds in a higher place. This will ensure you have factored in the frost line and provide a sturdy base for the security of the fence.

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