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Pea gravel is commonly used for fence post holes. Gravel that is roughly three eighths of an inch in size is generally a good medium between drainage and support, though gravel close to that size also may be used.
What type of gravel should be used for fence posts?
The ideal size gravel for fence posts is roughly three-eighths of an inch in size. You should find a happy medium between finer gravel, which provides good support, and larger-sized gravel that will provide good drainage and prevent the wood from rotting (or metal from rusting).
Can you use pea gravel to set fence posts?
Setting wood or vinyl fence posts is a critical part of fence construction to make sure that the fence is sturdy. The use of pea gravel to help set posts provides good drainage and, when combined with concrete, results in a sturdy fence post installation.
Can you use gravel for fence posts?
Gravel can be a great alternative to using concrete, and it does away with any drainage problems either underground or around the base. However, the success of gravel as a post setting depends upon the soil. You need to dig that one-third deep hole with your clam digger, then put a layer of gravel at its base.
How much gravel do I need for a 4×4 post?
How much gravel do I put in the hole? You should put approximately 2″ to 4″ of gravel in the bottom of the hole making sure that the Post stands 6′ 4″ tall from the ground to the top of the post. How wide should the holes be? An 8″ diameter wide hole should be dug for the posts to be inserted for a solid Fence.
How much gravel do I need to fill a post hole?
The depth of the hole should be 1/3-1/2 the post height above ground (i.e., a 6-foot tall fence would require a hole depth of at least 2 feet). Add about 6 inches of QUIKRETE All-Purpose Gravel into the bottom of the hole.
How do you set a gravel post?
To help slow such deterioration, add pea gravel or crushed stone to the bottom of the posthole. Once you have added gravel to a depth of three inches or so, use a piece of scrap lumber to tamp down the layer. Next, pour an additional three inches of gravel into the hole, tamping down a second time.
Is 2 feet deep enough for fence posts?
2 feet is the minimum depth that you should dig your fence post holes for. To dig the holes one-third to one-half of the post’s aboveground height, is a general formula. The deeper you dig the holes, the more stability your fence has.
How long will a treated 4×4 post last in the ground?
How Long Will A Treated 4×4 Last In The Ground? (Explained) A treated 4×4 will last 20 to 25 years in the ground if the conditions in the soil and climate are favorable. That number could increase to 40 to 75 years if you install the treated 4×4 in a cement ring rather than the soil.
What kind of gravel do you put under concrete?
Depending on what the driveway will be used for, the base may need to be 4 to 12 inches. Ideally, 6 inches of crushed stone or gravel should be used for most driveways. Proper application requires that the driveway hole be dug out, and the soil has to be prepared.
What do you put at the bottom of a fence?
Rocks and boulders are a simple choice for areas of the fence that have a slight gap, or even for areas that have a long gap that runs along the fence. Use the rocks to build a retaining wall along the bottom of the fence, or create a rock garden.
How deep should a 8 foot fence post be?
In general, holes should be at least 3 feet deep for posts that extend 8 feet or more above ground level. Posts that extend 6 feet above ground level should have holes at least 2 1/2 feet deep.
How deep should a 3 foot fence post be?
The general rule of thumb when setting a post is that the depth of the post’s hole needs to be one-third to one-half of the actual above-ground height of the post. So, a six-foot-high finished post ideally needs to be buried three feet into the ground.
How do you dig a post hole in gravel?
How to Dig a Hole: Pro Tips Step 1: String your line and pound the stakes. Step 2: Carve out a soil divot with a spade. Step 3: Loosen earth with a tile shovel. Step 4: Use your clamshell digger. Step 5: Use a reciprocating saw on large roots. Step 6: Dislodge rocks with a digging bar. Step 7: Tamp the soil with the other end.
Can you put dry concrete in a post hole?
Fast-setting concrete is ideal for setting posts because there’s no mixing—you simply pour the dry concrete from the bag right into the hole, then add water.
How do I keep my post level while concrete dries?
You need to level it in two directions with a 4-foot level. After getting it straight in the first direction, hold one of the braces against the post and drive a single screw to connect the brace to the post. You can then level and brace the post in the other direction and begin filling the hole.
How many bags of quikrete do I need for a fence post?
When you account for the fence post what you need is 4 bags. The best way to determine the size of each fence post hole is: The diameter of the hole is 3 times the width of the fence post. The depth of the hole is 1/3 to 1/2 the above ground height of the fence post.
