Whether you are installing a traditional white picket fence in front of your home or putting up a privacy fence around your property, one of the most vital steps of building a fence is installing the wooden fence posts. More than any other element of your fence, the wooden fence posts are going to be what gives the fence stability and keeps it standing for a long time to come. If you don’t install your fence posts correctly you could face a number of problems ranging from wood rot to general instability that can eventually cause your fence to fail. Most fences cost at least hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars to install so this is one step you want to be sure to get right the first time.
Here are some tips on how to install wooden fence posts. If you have any doubt about your ability you should always contact an expert to get their advice or assistance.
The very first thing you should do before installing a fence is contact the proper city departments to find out the building codes regarding fences in your area as well as to ask for someone to come out and mark where the gas, power and sewer lines run on your property. It is very important to be sure that you are not going to be digging where there are any buried pipes or lines since if you hit one it could either be very costly or very dangerous – or even deadly. Knowing the building code will help you to be sure that you are installing your fence far enough off the property line as well as whether or not the height of the fence you plan to build is allowed. If you have a homeowner’s association you may also need to check with them if your fence is going to be OK.
Once you are sure it is safe to install your fence where you want it, you are going to need to measure and mark where each fence post is going to go. To do this, use a tape measure and wooden stakes. Most fences are installed in 8 foot sections, but be sure this is the case for your fence before measuring. Keep your measurements precise and mark exactly at the position where your fence posts should be installed. Once you have your stakes placed, run a string around the perimeter to make sure that you are not going to run into problems with things like hedges or trees. If necessary, adjust your fence layout to accommodate anything that is in the way, or remove the object.
Once you have marked your positions you will need to cut your fence posts. Your wooden fence posts should be 2 feet longer than your fence is tall. So for instance, if you are installing a 6 foot privacy fence you will need 8 foot posts. For a 4 foot fence you will need 6 foot posts. You can either cut your posts to size yourself or your can either buy them pre-cut or have them cut at a lumber yard or home improvement store for you.
Next, you need to dig holes for your fence posts. To do this you will either need a manual posthole digger or a posthole auger. You can usually rent electric augers at a home improvement store or rental shop if you are not up to digging post holes by hand. At each location that you have marked you should dig a hole that is 2 feet deep. Make sure to have the center of the hole exactly on the position you marked.
After the holes are dug, put a few inches of gravel in the bottom. The gravel will help to keep the fence post steady when you set it and more importantly will help with drainage. Set each post into its hole using a level to make sure it is perfectly even. You can attach small sticks using a single or nail to each post to use as a braces to keep it from toppling over before the concrete has set and to be sure that it stays level after you have leveled it.
Once you have set the posts in the holes you need to add concrete to them to hold them in place. Mix the concrete in a wheelbarrow according to the manufacturer’s directions. At each hole, pour concrete in the hole up to ground level. Then, using a trowel, add a little more concrete around the post to build a mound around the post to help the water drain off rather than pooling around the post. You can smooth the concrete with the trowel to remove any odd lumps or bumps.
Once the concrete has been poured at each post check again to make sure it is still level and make any adjustments that are needed. Allow the concrete to set for at least 24 hours before removing the braces on the post or installing the rest of your fence.
