Advice on what works setting fence posts

Justmee · 04-23-2020, 07:22 PM

Hi everyone, would greatly appreciate specific experiences regarding fence post setting. I am from Midwest where a standard procedure is to put the posts on a bed of pea gravel and pour concrete just below the top soil level.
The fence company advises to not use concrete as it will be pushed out by frost. Advice appreciated, thanks!

8gv · 04-23-2020, 07:56 PM

Are you asking about wood or metal posts?

welch-time · 04-23-2020, 08:15 PM

I'd use stone dust or fine crushed stone. That way the posts can be easily replaced. And it drains well preventing rot or rust.
Concrete is forever. You'd have some work on your hands If you ever had to replace a post.

djwade4 · 04-24-2020, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justmee

Hi everyone, would greatly appreciate specific experiences regarding fence post setting. I am from Midwest where a standard procedure is to put the posts on a bed of pea gravel and pour concrete just below the top soil level.

The fence company advises to not use concrete as it will be pushed out by frost. Advice appreciated, thanks!

I’m a contractor and I have used ledge pac depending what type and size your fence is and the condition of ground and weather conditions. Doug wade 603-770 -3677 feel free to call

Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

Descant · 04-24-2020, 11:01 AM

My cedar post and rail fence lasted about 25 years before rot made it necessary to replace. No concrete, but stone for drainage. The sections that go into the woods are just 5' metal stakes driven into the ground and wire mesh attached. Plastic coated, still in good shape. Posts that hold heavy gates need extyra depth and or larger stone. Otherwise the weight of the gate will move the post over time and you'll have to reset. I had the work done by a local fencing company. I have one gate that follows a slope, so they custom built the gate to match. Way beyond the ability of a one man crew.

04-23-2020, 07:22 PM	#1
Justmee Junior Member Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 7 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Advice on what works setting fence posts Hi everyone, would greatly appreciate specific experiences regarding fence post setting. I am from Midwest where a standard procedure is to put the posts on a bed of pea gravel and pour concrete just below the top soil level. The fence company advises to not use concrete as it will be pushed out by frost. Advice appreciated, thanks!

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04-23-2020, 07:56 PM	#2
8gv Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,127 Thanks: 64 Thanked 753 Times in 487 Posts	Are you asking about wood or metal posts?

04-23-2020, 08:15 PM	#3
welch-time Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Welch Island Posts: 117 Thanks: 5 Thanked 66 Times in 31 Posts	I'd use stone dust or fine crushed stone. That way the posts can be easily replaced. And it drains well preventing rot or rust. Concrete is forever. You'd have some work on your hands If you ever had to replace a post.

04-24-2020, 11:01 AM	#5
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,475 Thanks: 1,387 Thanked 1,667 Times in 1,086 Posts	My cedar post and rail fence lasted about 25 years before rot made it necessary to replace. No concrete, but stone for drainage. The sections that go into the woods are just 5' metal stakes driven into the ground and wire mesh attached. Plastic coated, still in good shape. Posts that hold heavy gates need extyra depth and or larger stone. Otherwise the weight of the gate will move the post over time and you'll have to reset. I had the work done by a local fencing company. I have one gate that follows a slope, so they custom built the gate to match. Way beyond the ability of a one man crew.