Farm wooden posts may look attractive, yet they cannot last for years in the ground, exposing them to the elements. Raindrops can weaken the wooden posts, causing them to rot over the years. Hurricanes and heavy impacts from large animals or moving vehicles can lead to sagging. Small farm owners may drain their savings if their fences lie directly in the soil instead of concrete.
This article will tell you why you need to concretize your fence posts.
Reasons Why You must have a Concrete Fence Posts
A typical fence system faces many challenges that can ruin its appearance and functionality. A natural occurrence like a storm, earthquake, flood, or landslide can damage the fence.
Some sections of your fence can loosen even a slight pressure caused by an animal leaning on it, and its functionality ends when a car smashes the fence.
No wonder some homeowners would rather shell out their money on concrete fence posts to protect their property because it is a one-time expenditure compared to temporary fence posts.
Concreting your fence post is effective in securing the fencing system from rot. Homeowners can avoid breaking the bank by constructing concrete fence posts instead of installing prefab steel or wooden posts.
Sometimes, homeowners set their wooden posts on a concrete base, believing it can prolong the lifespan of their fence. The problem arises when the rotten post gets stuck in the concrete footing, which is difficult to remove.
It is natural for the wooden posts to rot in the concrete due to moisture around it. The wooden post can stay for fifteen to twenty years in the concrete-filled hole if the lumber undergoes pressure treatment or the concrete lies above a few inches from the ground level— so it does not set in the soil.
Prising out the rotten wooden posts from the concrete footing means your yard is left with more than a dozen empty holes. Replacing the concrete holes with a new post is another problem.
Here are the benefits of concreting your fence posts:
- Concreting your fence posts ensure additional strength per unit compared to wooden posts. It allows you to dig smaller holes instead of creating those concrete footing, which you will abandon when the wooden posts get rotten.
- Concrete fence posts can withstand heavy pressure, powerful winds, or heavy impact from vehicle crashes. It is stronger than a wooden post of the same size, assuring you that no amount of impact can topple your fence.
- It is an affordable fencing post option compared to pre-manufactured wooden or steel models. You will spend a fortune installing the concrete posts, but it is still a cost-saver in the long run as you will no longer replace it compared to rotten wooden posts.
- It does not require using fasteners (screws, nails) but a slot-based fastening system, which is not subject to corrosion and rusting. It also allows any fence rail to use the grooves cut into the sides of the posts.
- Concrete post fence requires less maintenance. It is easy and quick to install than using wood or steel posts.
- It boasts of its durability due to its resistance to mold, termite, and bug infestation, holding it up for several decades.
Concreting fence posts is an effective technique in protecting your fencing structure as concrete serves as a shield against moisture, rain, or water around your wooden post if you prefer it this way. Some builders also use gravel as a footing for the wooden fence instead of cement. Setting fence posts may not be an option for some builders for various reasons, especially if they plan to move out to another location or will use the place for a special event. Pushing the wooden post could be easier than a permanent structure like a concrete post.
Durable Materials for Installing Non-Concrete Fence Posts
Materials in concreting fence posts have evolved over the years. There is a wide range of finish materials to meet your aesthetic and design criteria. It focuses on more than gray and cold tones.
Today, builders etch or stamp the materials to develop various designs and textures. You can choose materials that resemble wood, natural stone, or bricks. Manufacturers produce prefabs in multiple colors and tones, such as acid-stained concrete.
But if you dislike using cement, you can have many options according to your preference, such as:
Gravel:
This material is a better alternative than using dirt. Although not stronger than concrete, it solves drainage problems around and beneath the base. This option depends on the type of soil your yard has. It is unsuitable for sandy or loose soils. It works better for clay and heavy soil.
Crushed Rock:
This material can eliminate drainage problems around the fence post, which helps reduce rotting than using dirt as a base for the fence post. It offers strong support to the post but is less firm than concrete or cement.
Dirt:
Dirt or soil offers strong backing for your fence post if you compact it well. But this method is useless if you have a termite-infested yard. It does not support the fence post against heavy impact or strong wind.
Sand:
This material can temporarily support the fence post if storms frequent your area. Sand is better than dirt, but cement is more firm than dirt.
Protecting Your Wooden Posts from Rotting
The longevity of your wooden posts can last for years if you are aware of some effective measures to prevent deterioration. Here are some tips to protect the wood post from rotting:
Spot the Rotting
There are two types of rotting: dry and wet rotting. Dry rot happens when the wood has prolonged exposure to extreme conditions, such as sunlight or dry winds, that cause the natural oils in the wood to dry. Wet rot is due to exposure to high moisture levels, which causes the wood to crack and soften.
Opt for Rot-resistant Timber
The most effective way to prevent rotting in your wooden post is to choose a wood resistant to rotting, such as mulberry, redwood, and cedar. These wood species are resilient against decay. If you cannot afford them, you may use pressure-treated timber. This treatment method uses arsenic or copper preservatives to discourage termites and wood borers from eating your wooden posts.
Proper Setting Up of Posts
The best way to discourage rotting in your wooden posts is to set them on a bed of coarse gravel with a depth of three to six inches. This is to prevent the wood from direct contact with the gravel. Surround the post with concrete and not underneath. It allows the moisture to permeate throughout the gravel and from the bottom of your fence post.
Ensure that the concrete atop the post is sloping away to prevent the water from pooling around the post base. If you plan to replace the post, it is easy to remove and replace it with a new one. Attach 2by4 wooden cross rails to hold the wooden fence in place, ensuring that the bolts and brackets are perpendicular to the fence.
Apply Wood Preservatives
After installing the wood fence, apply a liberal amount of copper naphthenate on the bottom third of your fence post. It is a good option if you brush the entire post to protect it from wet and dry rotting.
My Final Thoughts
Wooden post fences are aesthetically appealing but prone to rotting and breakage due to several factors. The best solution to prevent rotting in post fences is not to use them. Other options are sturdy enough to withstand the elements, like using a 2” galvanized steel pipe with steel brackets to hold it in place. Set the pipe post on top of the gravel layer for added protection.
