Is it better to sink fence posts in cement or geavel?I keep getting mixed answers on this. To me filling the hole with gravel will not be as sturdy as cementing the posts in. Which is better in the long run????
Concrete is best for this job. Concrete is the base material for all construction. Gravel can shift in time and the fence posts will no longer be plumb and level.
Funny you should ask. I'm replacing a fence in the next couple of weeks. This isn't the first fence I've built. My method is to dig the holes (approx 2 ft deep for a fence that'll be 6 feet high), pour a little bagged cement mix in the hole, and put the post in there. Using a level, make sure the post is plumb (straight up and down) both ways and use some scrap lumber or a couple of fence pickets to hold it there. Now pour the rest of the concrete mix into the hole. Use enough to come right up to the top. Now water the mix and use a piece of rebar or something to churn the mix so that water gets all the way to the bottom. It looks good if you finish off the top of the concrete with a trowel or even a piece of wood to smooth it out. Let the concrete dry overnight and you're good to go. The concrete mix under and around the posts all the way up to grade will protect the post. I'd still use treated lumber made for ground contact, though.
I guess it depends, seeing the answers. I live in California (little to no frost) and have never heard of using just gravel. We usually dig a 24 deep hole, put in 6 of drain gravel, put in the post and fill the rest of the hole with cement.
I believe that it depends on the end use of the post. A post in gravel or dirt will move some while a post in cement will not or at least as much and as easily. I am in the process of building a picket fence and I am using cement just because I don't want to have to reset posts in a year or two.
Depends what it is you're holding up. The best method is to pour your concrete footer and set a J bolt in the wet cement. When it hardens, set your posts using a Simpson ABU44 for 4'x4 posts, or an ABU66 for 6x6 posts. These construction anchors are available at any lumber yard or home store. Setting the posts in the ground will make them rot, even if they're treated. The anchors will keep them up off the ground.
