To prevent a post from decaying too quickly as well as to make it easy to remove when it does start.
Fence post footings concrete.
Typical post footings for fences decks and exterior stairs are between 18.
Novices anticipate no problem in setting fence posts in such holes then filling the holes up with concrete.
For example an 1800mm fence in wind zone a will require footings of a minimum of 600mm deep by 200mm wide whereas the footing dimensions for the same fence in wind zone d will need to be at least 700 1100mm deep.
The depth of your fence post footings will vary according to fence height wind loading and soil type as well as other factors.
Dig post hole so diameter of the hole is 3 times the width of the post i e the hole for a 4 wood post should be about 12 inches wide.
But before you decide to put one up yourself learn how to set your fence posts properly to ensure that.
Removing an old fence post can be a pain in the ass especially if the post has rotted and fallen off.
Just stand on the bar and the post and concrete footing will usually pop right out of the ground.
But when you fill those v shaped holes with concrete you end up with v shaped hunks of concrete.
That s because fence posts are set in a concrete footing that is usually at least two feet deep in the ground.
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.
Concrete post footings are removed when replacing a damaged post moving posts or when trenching for underground pipes.
So six foot high fence posts ideally need to be buried three feet into the ground.
The general rule of thumb when setting a post is that the depth of the post s hole needs to be 1 3 to 1 2 of the actual above ground height of the post.
A well constructed fence can protect privacy define your property and enhance curb appeal.
You could dig it out but that takes too long.
And in areas subject to frost heaves this can be an invitation to trouble down the road.
The diameter of your post hole should be three times the diameter of your post.
Screw a piece of scrap 2 4 to the post a couple of inches from the ground put a landscape timber alongside as a fulcrum and use a long metal bar as a lever.