DIYbanter - View Single Post

Dean Hoffman[_8_]

In article ,
(MICHELLE H.) wrote:

Just a quick question about installing fence posts. We would like to
have a 6 foot high, Cedar wooden stockade fence installed in our yard.
My question is, when putting in the fence posts for the wooden fence, do
the fence posts HAVE to be set in concrete? I know that most fence
companies do set the fence posts in concrete, about 2-3 feet below the
frost line.

I have read many mixed reviews about setting posts in concrete, because
when the posts rot out, it is a backbreaking effort to replace them
because you have to dig out and lift up the heavy concrete.

I have read, as well as heard from people, that it's actually better to
put the posts in a couple inches of 1 and 1/2 inch crushed rock or
gravel.

So, do you have to have the posts put in concrete, or can we opt. to go
with the crushed rock or gravel?

Thanks!

Farmers of my dad's generation put in a lot of fence for livestock.
That was largely barbed wire. Well, a lot of that fencing has been
taken out since a lot of farmers no longer raise livestock. I've never
heard of any of that fencing being concreted in. The dirt around the
posts was simply thoroughly tamped. It's time consuming.
One trick is to use fill sand around the posts. Tamp it in or pour
water on it to pack it. I've never tried it so can't say how well it
works.