Best Cement For Wood Fence Posts

Here s how to install new cedar fence posts and avoid the problems that made your old posts rot.

Best cement for wood fence posts.

Pour the dry mix into the tube. After digging the hole all you need to do is mix your cement and let it set. Three factors contribute to this early failure. So six foot high fence posts ideally need to be buried three feet into the ground.

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. 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 diameter of your post hole should be three times the diameter of your post. 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. To treat your post soak the bottom foot for 15 to 20 minutes in a large bucket of wood preservative containing copper napthenate. Make sure the post is plumb before allowing the concrete to set. 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.

Cedar has a reputation for durability but unless a few guidelines are followed cedar posts can fail in as few as five years. Poor drainage low quality wood and poor protection against insect damage. This prevents the paint and sealer from trapping moisture inside the wood and rotting. 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.

Set the post into the form and temporarily stand straight. 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. 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.