Fence posts set in concrete. or tamped gravel?
(Only those who build in deep frost penetrating areas need answer)
I realize there are other options out there; ie. Full conc. pier with pre-fab imbedded metal brackets and bolted posts. (This would be my first choice if I had the money) I’ve also read about tamped earth and or various combinations of the above.) Lets keep this simple gravel or concrete.
Fence description as follows
- 320′ long 6′-0″ high P.T. Wood fence, close board spacing, no lattice. ( No, I don’t want to be a good neighbor)
- All holes drilled to a min. depth of 4′-0″ to get below frost level for area.
Some issues I have with concrete.
I have always been a concrete fence post man, but I am thinking of going over to the dark side. (My approach was to fill the bottom of the hole with 4″ to 6″ of crushed gravel. Place the post factory end into the hole, and place the concrete c/w sloped concrete top. Leave posts to set up for a min. of 24hr. before paneling) Posts have always been either cedar or pressure treated)
Standard 8″ drilled hole does not provide adequate amount of concrete between post and excavation, therefore conc. splits apart. After a few winters of freeze thaw the concrete cracks and the posts become loose. (In an ideal world each post would be positioned at the exact center of the drilled hole…which happens all the time right?)
So what’s the verdict? Should I save the money from this fence and move to a warmer climate or should I just paint the property line lattice wood stakes with the fluorescent orange tape…or….
Replies
We bat this one around every so often, so there may be some archive material worth sifting through.
I had the same personal debate a few years back. My customer decided for me, she did not want concrete. So I hand dug 3 feet by 12 inch holes, and packed road base (blasted/crushed local rock) in 6 inch lifts around each post, tamped with a 8 pound sledge hammer. It took a while. I also wrapped the post with copper flashing, first foot into the ground and the six inches above. It was, and still is 6 years later, as solid as a concrete pier fence. I look forward to seeing it in 20, especially the rot which the copper was meant to arrest.