How to concret the fence posts?
Concreting the posts is one of the most important stages in the construction of the fence. The quality of such fastening determines both the appearance, durability and stability of the fence. In our article, we will show you some practical tips on how to properly dig in and concrete the fence posts so that they can serve as a support for the mesh or panel spans.
Digging in fence posts: where to start?
Before you start the process of concreting metal posts, you should prepare holes of appropriate size in the ground, located at equal distances every 2.5 m. An ordinary string, stretched on stakes between the extreme points of the plot, will be used to precisely mark the fence line and locate the posts. Dig the holes with a spade or use a hand drill or a petrol drill.
The standard diameter of the hole for the post is 25 cm, and the depth is from 50 cm to 120 cm, depending on the region and the specificity of the soil. The more unstable and susceptible to freezing the ground is, the deeper the trench should be. Another important issue before commencing concreting is to protect the posts against corrosion – they should be covered with a layer of zinc.
Basic rules for digging in posts
How to plan the assembly works well and efficiently concret the fence posts? We present a few proven rules that will help you avoid wasting your time, money and expensive material:
– prepare all the holes before you start pouring concrete;
– avoid concreting on frosty or hot days;
– use concrete rubble to stabilize the posts;
– embed the poles in the ground before concreting;
– arrange 1 person to help – their task will be, among other things, to control the settings of the pillars and support them during concreting;
– put a canopy on each post to prevent corrosion.
Check the position of the bars on an ongoing basis using a spirit level. If you notice a deviation from the vertical, intervene immediately and correct the pole. You can also use side wooden supports or bars to stiffen the structure. In the case of using quick-setting concrete, you must act very dynamically and plan the course of work carefully, because the mixture starts to set after being mixed with water after several minutes.
A simple way to dig in fence posts
Start digging in the fence posts from the initial hole. If you want to save concrete and position the metal post precisely, cover it with crushed concrete rubble first. The pieces of aggregate will perfectly stabilize the steel element and form a compact whole with the spout. In this way, the stiffened pipe or profile will be easier to correct once the concrete starts to set. It is also an excellent technique for those who do not have a helper at their disposal during the construction of the fence.
The use of concrete rubble when digging the posts onto the fence has one more important advantage. Thanks to this simple solution, you do not need to use side supports, piles, bars or boards to support the poles while tying. In this way, you save your time and reduce the amount of materials needed, including wood, which after installation becomes troublesome waste and is used for fuel.
How to concret the fence posts?
Concrete can be prepared on its own in a wheelbarrow or concrete mixer, with the use of cement, sand, gravel and water, or use ready-made quick-setting mixtures for fixing. How to distribute the mixture in the well? There are two techniques for concreting fence posts: pouring the entire opening with traditional concrete at once and leveling the top layer with a trowel, or staged (layer) concreting, which will work well in the case of quick-setting concretes.
In the case of ready-made mixtures, start the concreting process by wetting the walls and bottom of the well, thanks to which the mass will penetrate the soil structure better and form a compact monolith with it. When the water has penetrated the ground, add the mixture in layers, according to the manufacturer’s recommendations – remembering to sprinkle the subsequent layers lightly with clean water and even out. Smoothing the surface of individual layers is very important, thanks to this simple procedure, the mass tightly fills all cavities and gaps.
Digging and concreting of the supports
In mesh and panel fences, the corner and starting posts should be additionally reinforced with supports. The brackets, set at an angle of 45˚ to the pole, perfectly stabilize the fence and reduce loads. Remember to use 2 supports for the corner posts and one for the initial posts. For long support fences, make every 25 m. How to dig in and concret the supports?
Prepare holes with a diameter of 25 cm and a depth of 80-100 cm, and then place the supports in them so that they reach 2/3 of the height of the post. Before you fill the holes with aggregate and pour concrete over them, remember to attach the support to the metal pole, using a welding machine or mounting brackets and pads. As an alternative to concrete, you can also use deep, galvanized anchors, designed to be fixed directly in the ground.