Allen Fence Company offers advice on digging and setting fence posts.

Allen fence company owner Sean Eubanks (owner of Texas State Fence Co.) provides these guidelines for digging and setting fence posts.

Digging Post Holes

Dig the hole approximately three times the width of the post. For a 4 inch post dig a 10 – 12 inch wide hole. If you are using steel posts you can make the hole a little thinner unless you are going higher. Higher fences should have wider holes. The more concrete that you use the more stable the post will be and the less likely that the post will lean with gradual soil shifting or constant wind pressures.

Setting Posts

Install your corner posts first then use twine or string to pull a tight line for guidance on the setting of the other posts. It is best if you let the corner posts set overnight before installing the in-lines posts, that way you can put a lot of tension on the string and get a good line without risking that you will damage the corner post foundation.

Prior to pouring concrete you should set each post in its hole on a bed of pea-gravel or rocks and brace them with 1x4 or 2x4 braces that are nailed to stakes. Use a level to make sure that the posts are standing true. Use the string to make sure that the posts are in line as desired.

Mix your concrete, or have it delivered, and then fill each hole so that the top of the concrete is above the level of the surrounding soil. You want the concrete to slope away from the post to help prevent water damage to the post.

The next article in the series will deal with Setting Posts, Cutting Posts to the correct height, and installing pickets or panels.

Prior articles in the series include:

1. Allen Fence Company provides instructions for D-I-Y fence builders
2. McKinney fence company - DIY fence design and layout guidelines
3. Plano fence company - DIY Guidelines for digging postholes

Allen fence company owner Sean Eubanks started his company, Texas State Fence Co., to provide quality outdoor fencing and landscape hard structures to clients in North Texas. Texas State Fence Co. provides all types of fencing along with automatic sliding gates, swing gates, security fencing, outdoor kitchens and enclosures, patio covers, arbors, and gazebos. Sean also provides maintenance and repair of fences that have been damaged by weather and wind.  For more information please contact Sean Eubanks at 972-898-1307 for visit his website.