Do Fence Posts Need To Be Set in Concrete? No, fence posts don’t need to be set in concrete, and there are plenty of other ways to fix your posts if this feels a bit too permanent. If you are using wooden posts, concrete may actually be the worst option.
Should pressure treated posts be set 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.
Can you bury fence posts without concrete?
Backfilling the fence post hole with gravel is another common alternative to using cement. Start with a hole about the size of the one you’d dig if you were using cement, insert a third of the post’s length into the hole, and then fill with crushed gravel, tamping every five inches until flush.
How do you keep fence posts from rotting in concrete?
How You Can Protect Your Wooden Fence Posts From Rotting
- Wet Rot Vs. Dry Rot.
- Choose Rot Resistant Wood.
- Dry the Fence Posts Out.
- Consider Adding Posts to Concrete.
- Apply Preservative to the Wooden Post.
- Consider Staining Your Wood.
- Start Digging.
- Fill Up the Hole.
How long will a treated 4×4 last in concrete?
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.
What do you put between wood and concrete?
The wood will soak up the moisture from the concrete and the wood will rot. Pressure treated wood is more resistant to rot but over time, it will have the same effect. It’s best to always have a barrier, a thin plastic foam sheet called “sill seal”, between concrete and wood.
How long will a post set in concrete last?
A PT post will last a long time in concrete, maybe 5 to 10 years in soil alone. I suggest you embed the post in concrete, trowel a peak around the post so water runs off, and don’t let the PT post come in contact with the ground.
Is 2 feet deep enough for fence posts?
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). 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).
Do fence posts need to be pressure treated?
Softwood posts in the ground that are not treated may only last up to 6 months! Using treated posts will ensure longevity. Some fence builders will wrap the base of the post in sheet copper or galvanized steel to prolong the wood’s life even further, but the consensus is that treated posts will do the trick.
How long do fence posts last in concrete?
Concrete is a durable building material and can last for around 20 years with minimal maintenance. Sounds promising doesn’t it? Surprisingly, concrete isn’t immune to wear and tear. Excessive wind and rain can cause concrete posts to chip and crack.
Why do posts rot at ground level?
of soil contains millions of microbes. The soil builds up around the base of the post and acts like a sponge to retain moisture. The moisture and soil is fuel for fungi and the oxygen fuels the rot.
Why deck posts should not be set in concrete?
A deck post should always be placed on top of footing, not inside concrete because it can break. The photo on the left shows a post set in a bracket that has been mounted to the top of a footer. The photo on the right shows a post that has concrete poured around it, which can lead to a crack like you see here.
Can you put wood directly on concrete?
Pressure-treated wood is required whenever you attach framing lumber or furring strips directly to concrete or other exterior masonry walls below grade. Note that this requirement is only for exterior walls, as these may wick moisture onto the lumber.
Can you put dry concrete in a post hole?
Fast-setting concrete is ideal for setting posts because there’s no mixing—you simply pour the dry concrete from the bag right into the hole, then add water.
What is the best concrete mix for fence posts?
For a small to mid sized job I recommend going with premixed. The best concrete mix for fence posts I’ve found is Quikrete Fast Setting Concrete Mix in a 50 lb bag. It’s 4000 psi, easy to work with, sets up fast, and doesn’t need to be mixed. Just pour it in the hole and soak with water.
What should I put between wood and concrete posts?
In most cases, either pressure-treated lumber or naturally durable lumber (defined by the IRC as the heartwood of redwood, cedar, black locust, and black walnut) is acceptable. In some cases, separating wood from concrete with a water-impervious membrane or vapor retarder is all that’s required.
Do I need a moisture barrier between concrete and wood?
Moisture can destroy hardwood flooring. It causes cupping, warping, and even mildew if not treated. You must install a moisture barrier to protect your flooring from water wicking up from below. Even with an epoxy coating over the concrete, it’s best to lay down a waterproof membrane.
Can you put untreated wood on concrete?
Apart from pressure-treated lumber, wood treated entirely with brush-on preservative and untreated kiln-dried Douglas fir are acceptable in dry indoor situations, such as basement floors where dampness is minimal. Coating the area beneath any lumber with asphalt roofing cement will also forestall decay.
How deep should an 8 foot post be in the ground?
In general, holes should be at least 3 feet deep for posts that extend 8 feet or more above ground level. Posts that extend 6 feet above ground level should have holes at least 2 1/2 feet deep.
How deep should a 7 foot fence post be?
The general rule of thumb when setting a post is that the depth of the post’s hole needs to be one-third to one-half of the actual above-ground height of the post.
How many bags of concrete do I need for a 4×4 post?
A six foot high fence post with a 4 inch post would need a hole that’s 36 inches deep by 12 inches in diameter. To fill a hole this size takes 5 bags of 80lb concrete, but remember, you have to subtract the volume of the post your burying.
How Much Concrete For A 4×4 Fence Post?
| Depth | 50 Lb Bags |
|---|---|
| 24″30″ | 4 |
| 32″36″ | 5 |
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