cementing fence posts?
 

When putting up a wooden fence is it necessary to pour cement around the posts?

Set your fence posts in concrete if you want them to be there permanently.

Here's how you do it:

1. Pound a stake into the ground at each spot where the posts will go. 2. Run a string around the perimeter of your fence line. This will identify potential problems with hedges, trees, and other objects. 3. Cut or buy posts that are 2 feet longer than the finished fence height. 4. Use a posthole auger or digger to make a 2-foot hole at the post site. 5. Put 2 to 3 inches of gravel in the bottom of the hole for drainage. 6. Set the post into the hole. 7. Level the post with a bubble level; anchor the post with stakes and wire or by nailing a couple of 2-by-4s to it. 8. Mix the concrete. Add enough water to make it thick but not chunky. 9. Pour concrete into the hole up to ground level. Poke the air bubbles out of the concrete with a 1-by-2 board. 10. Check the level and adjust the post if necessary. 11. Use a trowel to add some more concrete around the base of the post, making it mound-shaped. This will allow water to run off and not pool around the post.

Thanks :)

Once you are really good at it you can forgo to the staking/tieing etc of the post, you can just hold it there eye-level while somone pours in the concrete and then put you level on it, if it needs to be adjusted, stick a 2x4 upside it and whack it with a hammer till plump. If your concrete was thick enough it will stay right there.:eek:

2' sounds good for southern climates. Up north it would heave in the freeze thaw cycles.