Best Cement For Wood Fence Posts

The diameter of your post hole should be three times the diameter of your post.

Best cement for wood fence posts.

Make sure the post is plumb before allowing the concrete to set. After digging the hole all you need to do is mix your cement and let it set. Putting posts in the ground is an important step in building a fence and pouring cement into the holes will keep your posts sturdy and protected. Here s how to install new cedar fence posts and avoid the problems that made your old posts rot.

Place the form tube into the hole. 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. 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. Allow all fence posts and rails to air dry for a few months before applying paint or wood sealer to the wood.

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. In just 1 day you can have posts in the ground that will last for a long. Set the post into the form and temporarily stand straight. If you want to protect a wooden post from rotting in the ground opt for wood that has been pressure treated and has a 4a or 4b rating on the tag as these woods are especially resistant to rot.

Pour the dry mix into the tube. Poor drainage low quality wood and poor protection against insect damage. Cedar has a reputation for durability but unless a few guidelines are followed cedar posts can fail in as few as five years. Three factors contribute to this early failure.

To treat your post soak the bottom foot for 15 to 20 minutes in a large bucket of wood preservative containing copper napthenate. Inspect your posts at least once a year ideally in spring or fall and reapply paint or stain as necessary to protect the wood and keep your fence looking its best. So six foot high fence posts ideally need to be buried three feet into the ground.