Fitting concrete fence posts

bmthmark

Hi

I have the fun task of fixing my fences and wandered if you can help me with a couple of queries I have.

I am replacing 10 panels all with concrete posts and also concrete gravel boards. I have purchased all of this, I just need to put it up.

What do people recommend to cement the posts in? I've seen bags of postcrete (from wickes) which looks like its rapid dry but not sure if this is the best option on so many fences.
A friend of mine said I can buy a bag of rapid cement and mix my own. I just don't know which is the best way? All I know is I need it to dry as quick as possible.

Currently the existing wooden posts are cemented in. To save time digging up 9 concrete lumps I was going to erect a half fence at the beginning then I will miss all the existing concrete lumps. Is this something people do?

I just bought a post hole digger so i'm hoping this will help me complete the job. I'm hoping I can complete the job in one weekend.

Thanks all :beer:

Stevie_Palimo

For I'd use postcrete as it does tend to go off much quicker and although more expensive it saves having to prop up the posts and saves any chance of them moving as much if mixed correctly.

Being concrete posts and gravel boards you need to be near as possible being straight with the post as any error can effect the fitting of these.

bmthmark

Stevie_Palimo wrote: »

For I'd use postcrete as it does tend to go off much quicker and although more expensive it saves having to prop up the posts and saves any chance of them moving as much if mixed correctly.

Being concrete posts and gravel boards you need to be near as possible being straight with the post as any error can effect the fitting of these.

Thanks. Do you think one bag per post would be sufficient?

amerste

Use ordinary cement and ballast, fill the hole dry and tamp down firmly. When finished you can adjust any movement with a spirit level then just throw some water over the dry mix. This will go off in no time plus it's cheaper than the postmix.

Stevie_Palimo

bmthmark wrote: »

Thanks. Do you think one bag per post would be sufficient?

It depends on the height of them, I did a small fence and used 1 bag per post, It is down to preference at the end of the day and whilst others as above will say use dry mix then add water would still work and be slightly cheaper for me using postcrete was easier and quicker to work with.

bmthmark

amerste wrote: »

Use ordinary cement and ballast, fill the hole dry and tamp down firmly. When finished you can adjust any movement with a spirit level then just throw some water over the dry mix. This will go off in no time plus it's cheaper than the postmix.

Thanks for your help. This is what my friend said as well

bmthmark

Stevie_Palimo wrote: »

It depends on the height of them, I did a small fence and used 1 bag per post, It is down to preference at the end of the day and whilst others as above will say use dry mix then add water would still work and be slightly cheaper for me using postcrete was easier and quicker to work with.

The posts are fairly big so I'm thinking I will need more than one bag. I will take a look at the cost and see if there is much difference.

Thanks again :beer:

notbritishgas

No one has mentioned the half fence, yes that is a good idea, certainly saves some hard work!

Kiran

Personally (and it is only a personal preference) when installing new fencing I like to fill the bottom of the hole with clean gravel and get the fence post in before putting concrete in. This does 2 things, one it keeps water away from the posts which is not a massive issue with concrete posts but it does help to prevent movement. I prefer mixing your own concrete, you can get bacgs of all in and mix with cement. The only reason I do this is because the holes always seem to end up over dug so it is again a personal preference. Postcrete is definitely the easier option though but if your doing 6ft fences then you'll probably want at least 2 bags per post

amerste

Remember you need a 24" deep hole, don't be lazy and have over height posts you will be thankful when the wind hits. I have erected miles of fences the way I explained.

phil24_7

I used 100x100mm concrete godfathers with 100x100mm wooden posts attached to them. The wooden posts are 1.8m out of the ground and the godfathers are about 60cm in the ground. I used 1 bag on most of the holes with some needing 1.5 bags. If you want you can top the holes up with regular concrete once everything is set and in place. I put a concrete path over the top of the holes so didn't worry about it as it was taken care of when the path was poured.

Set your first and last ones then string a line from the top leading edge to the other and use this to set the tops. You can do the same near the bottom too. This will mean you have a nice straight fence and you will only need to check the post is plum in one direction.