In general, the post hole should be one third as deep as the fence is tall. So, if you’re installing a 6-foot tall fence, your post hole should be at least two feet deep. You’ll also want to be sure the bottom of the post sits below the frost line.
What is the easiest way to dig post holes?
- 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.
What is the fastest way to dig a fence post hole? There’s no question about it — the fastest and easiest way to dig post holes is to use a gas-powered earth auger. Fill the tank with gas, position the auger on the ground, fire it up, hold on tight and watch the soil come streaming out of the hole.
What is the difference between an auger and a post hole digger? Q: What is the difference between an auger and a post hole digger? The difference between the two is in how they dig holes. You thrust a traditional post hole digger into the ground and remove the soil between the scoops. An auger “screws” into the ground and transports dirt along the blade up to the surface.
Do post hole diggers work? Digging holes for fence posts or footings requires a different tool because the holes should be deep and cylindrical with sides that are flared at the bottom. A clamshell digger (also called a post hole digger) is a good tool for this type of work.
Is 2 feet deep enough for fence posts? 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).
How do you dig holes in a 4×4 post? – Related Questions
How deep should an 8 foot post be in the ground?
How Deep Should a Fence Post Be? For an average fence post, about 6 to 8 feet tall, prepare to dig a post hole about 2 feet deep. To install a fence post, you’ll need a shovel or post digger, a 6-foot level, soil, and gravel or crushed stone. For gateposts, you’ll need concrete too.
What depth should a fence post be in the ground?
The 2 ft Rule Lawsons experts recommend you should dig a hole which has a depth of 2 ft (24 in / 600mm) to ensure you have a stable timber or concrete fence post.
How big of a hole do you need for a 4×4 post?
The diameter of your post hole should be three times the diameter of your post. So, if you’re planning on using a four-inch round or 4×4-inch square post, your post hole will need to be 12 inches in diameter.
Should fence posts be set in concrete?
Concrete provides a strong foundation for wooden fence posts, but can rot them more quickly. Setting them in dirt, with or without gravel or crushed rock depending on your soil type, can help the posts last longer before going rotten. You can also use metal fence post anchors to prolong their life.
How deep can you dig with post hole diggers?
Post hole diggers have a maximum effective depth of about 3/4 of their handle length, so a five foot pair will dig about 3 1/2 half deep. Very hard earth like clay is extremely difficult to dig with a manual pair of post hole diggers.
How deep can you dig with a post hole auger?
How Deep Can Power Augers Dig? Most augers dig about 3 ft. deep, but for deeper holes, ask for an extension rod (Photo 5), usually for no extra fee. Deeper holes are typically required for footings for decks or other structures attached to houses located in very cold climates where frost depths exceed 3 ft.
Which hole digger is best?
Best Heavy-Duty Post Hole Digger If you want to dig lots of holes as quickly as possible, it’s hard to beat the power of the Eco LLC 63CC Gas Powered Post Hole Digger. The two-stroke engine puts out an impressive 3.4 horsepower, and can spin its auger a staggering 8,500 rpm.
Will a post hole auger cut through roots?
Post hole diggers are not capable of cutting through large roots, and it is time consuming to try and chop the root out by hand. The most effective method of installing a post through a root is to drill through it.
How many bags of quikrete do I need for a fence post?
1 – 4 bags of concrete per fence post are typically what’s needed. This depends on the type of soil, fence design, height, post size and bag weight. In general the depth of the post’s hole needs to be 1/3 to 1/2 of the above ground height of the post.
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.
Can you set a post with dry concrete?
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 deep should I bury a 10 foot post?
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 I put a post in the ground without concrete?
There are a few options for materials to set your fence posts if you aren’t using cement. These include dirt, gravel, sand, and crushed rock. Dirt: Filling the hole with dirt and compacting it will help to support the fence post. However, this method is not very strong.
Can pressure treated posts be set in concrete?
Simply setting the posts in concrete does create a condition that will accelerate rot in the bottom of the posts. With pressure-treated posts, the rot will be slow.
How do you keep fence posts from rotting in concrete?
Fill the first three inches up with gravel so the end of the post doesn’t come into contact with the dirt. Gravel allows water to drain quickly away from the post and into the soil. Be sure to place the post in the center of the hole. Finally, fill the entire hole up with cement to the top.
Can you put 6ft fence panels in 5ft posts?
6 foot into 5 foot posts should be ok, but you will need am infill panel inbetween the panels…. I’ve done this before by adding two strips of batten (or similar) down the edge of the panel to bring it proud of the post, then just add a piece of timber to cover the whole post and your 2 foot gap.
How long should posts be for a 6 foot fence?
Calculate the post lengths If you’re setting wooden or concrete posts in concrete you’ll need 8ft (2.4m) posts for a 6ft (1.828m) fence – i.e. your posts are 2ft (0.6m) longer than the fence height. Use 4in x 4in posts for fences of 5ft and over and 3in x 3in posts for anything under 5ft.
How deep should a 6×6 post be in the ground?
How deep should a post be in the ground:– in general, a post 6×6 or 8×8 that extend 8 feet or more above ground level should be at least 3 feet deep buried in the ground. Posts that extend 6 feet above ground level should have holes at least 2 1/2 feet deep.
Should cedar posts be set in concrete?
Will auger go through concrete?
Mechanical and Adhesive masonry anchors require a pre-drilled hole. Our Concrete Auger Bits are an excellent choice for preparing the anchoring hole. Specifically for use in drilling clearance holes through concrete, block, brick and stone.
How long will a treated 4×4 post last in the ground?
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. There are a few factors that influence how long the 4×4 can last in the ground.
Do I need gravel under my fence post?
DO Employ a Base Gravel Layer. If a fence post fails without any sign of a pest infestation, it’s likely that the failure was caused by moisture that rotted the wood over time. To help slow such deterioration, add pea gravel or crushed stone to the bottom of the posthole.
How much gravel goes in the bottom of a post hole?
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.
Is it easier to dig wet or dry soil?
Soil that’s turned over when wet will form clods that will be very difficult to break apart later, Trinklein said. This is because wet soil is more easily compacted than dry soil. He recommends the “baseball test” before you start digging.
What is the fastest way to dig a hole in a shovel?
Can I dig a post hole with a shovel?
With the turf removed, a long-handled shovel does a good job of removing the dirt. Dig with the blade plumb and the handle pushed forward to keep the walls of the hole straight up and down.
