Putting Fence Posts On Concrete

Concrete may be necessary if you are installing a fence in sandy soil or in very soft muddy soil.

Putting fence posts on concrete.

When installing a fence on an existing concrete pad some fence installers prefer to core drill through the concrete and set posts the traditional way embedded in concrete underground. Dig post hole so diameter of the hole is 3 times the width of the post i e the hole for a 4 wood post should be about 12 inches wide. Two 50 pound bags of fast setting concrete will set a 4 inch by 4 inch or a 4 inch diameter post in a 10 inch diameter hole. Apply high quality exterior acrylic latex caulk or silicone specifically designed to adhere to concrete at the base of the post.

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. The main downside to concrete is its ability to trap water around the post. It s also a good idea when installing gate posts to provide extra stability. Learn how to dig post holes and set 4x4 posts with gravel c.

Core drill holes through concrete. A well constructed fence can protect privacy define your property and enhance curb appeal. Set the post into the form and temporarily stand straight. Installing fence posts in place with concrete is the best way to guarantee that they remain upright and unmoving but you might not relish the idea of mixing batch after batch of concrete to fill.

This will seal the gap between the concrete and post that s caused by freeze thaw cycles. Using a rented core drill you can drill a hole through your concrete slab for each fence post. 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. Setting a post is the foundational step for many projects including building a fence or a deck.

Fast setting concrete is ideal for installing fence posts since it doesn t need to be mixed in a bucket or a wheelbarrow. But before you decide to put one up yourself learn how to set your fence posts properly to ensure that. Then set your post in place and use a level to ensure that it s perfectly. Place the form tube into the hole.