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Pouring fence posts with concrete – practical tips
The basic structural and load-bearing element of mesh and panel fences are metal posts. They are located at distances of 2-2.5 m and are divided into: initial, middle and corner. It is the posts that bear the entire weight of the fence, so they should be well embedded in the ground. What to fill the fence posts with? Here are some practical tips.
Do fence posts need to be concreted?
Concreting posts is an activity that requires precision, time and a certain amount of knowledge. Many people wonder if the fence posts need to be concreted at all and what are the alternative methods of fixing them in the ground. There are other mounting methods to choose from, for example:
– digging the poles directly into the holes (with an insulating layer made of foil, impregnation or metal primers);
– fixing in the ground using protective, stiffening anchors with an anti-corrosion layer made of plastic;
– use of resin quikset masses.
Despite the development of new technologies and building materials, concrete is second to none in terms of durability and pressure resistance. The concreted post does not corrode and has a stable support, thanks to which it does not twist and looks aesthetically pleasing for many years. Concreting the fence posts and supports is therefore the best solution for people who plan to build a fence permanently.
What to flood the fence posts with?
Are you wondering what to flood the fence posts with so that they don’t get rusty and quickly anchor in the ground? Use semi-liquid, dry concrete to embed metal pipes or profiles into the ground. Where to get it? You can choose from 2 solutions: buying the finished product in bags (for example – concrete B20) or preparing the mortar step by step, from scratch, in a wheelbarrow or concrete mixer.
The durability of the structure depends on the quality and correctness of concrete preparation, so if you have no experience in concreting, choose a ready mix. If you know the proportions of cement, sand, aggregate and water, or you have the support of a specialist with appropriate technical knowledge, use your own concrete to pour over the fence posts.
Dry concrete or wet concrete for fence posts? Basic differences
Should you choose wet or dry concrete to stabilize the fence posts directly in the ground? Both types of concrete have the same composition, the only difference being the amount of water needed to combine all the ingredients. There is little of it in so-called dry concrete, which makes it dense and compact. In wet concrete, as the name suggests, there is much more liquid, which makes the mixture have a watery, liquid consistency.
It is the large amount of water that makes wet concrete unable to combine well with the ground, because it contains a lot of moisture in itself and does not need to be drawn from the outside. Dry concrete behaves completely differently in the ground, which thanks to the moisture contained in the soil gains hardness and forms a monolithic structure together with the ground, which affects the stability of the fence. For concreting metal elements of the fence, choose dry concrete, thanks to which you will complete the fencing of the plot efficiently and quickly.
Pouring prefabricated connectors in panel fences
Are you planning to build a fence made of fencing panels and do not know what to flood the posts with? As in the case of mesh fences, to stabilize the metal profiles, use a quick-drying dry concrete, which facilitates express installation of the rest of the fence elements. Remember that if you want to have a fence with a prefabricated foundation, then only after pouring the posts and setting the concrete you can start laying the connectors and concrete slabs.
Should you also concret prefabricated connectors in panel fences? Manufacturers offer various fastening systems. If the post is directly adjacent to the wall of the connector, there is no need for concreting. In some fencing systems, a vacuum forms inside the prefabricated band surrounding the post – fill it with mortar to stiffen the structure and give it an aesthetic appearance.
Flooding fence posts – when to plan?
Fresh concrete needs appropriate conditions for it to set properly. What conditions are we talking about? It is primarily about the ambient temperature. Avoid concreting fence posts or building a foundation on frosty and hot days. Installation works are best planned in spring or autumn, when the outside temperature is within 5-20 ° C, which favors the setting of concrete.
When it is too warm outside (above 24 ° C) and there is intense sunlight, the concrete dries up too quickly and crumbles. In such unfavorable conditions, the only way to prevent the mortar from drying out is to water it regularly. In winter conditions, in turn, problems with setting appear, which often turn out to be impossible without the use of special, frost-resistant preparations.