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Started By
Message
How do you correctly set a 4x4 fence post in Louisiana?
Posted on 9/9/21 at 9:35 am
Posted on 9/9/21 at 9:35 am
This is probably close to asking F&D Board how to correctly cook gumbo. 
My method has been 4x4x10 in ~3' foot hole with 6"-8" of gravel. Set the post in hole (on gravel), and then brace plumb using two scraps of 2x4's one in each direction (N-S and E-W). I secure all posts this way before concreting. For that I use nearly 1 bag of quikcrete dry in the hole [edit, I make concrete above ground level and shape cone to shed water], adding water and rod/mix with dowel. Remove braces after 24 hrs and let her rip with stringers and pickets.
I don't have any long term (15+ years) results with this method to know if its ok or not. However I do know that 4x4 posts always fail at the ground line, with wood usually good both above this and below (still in concrete). I've got more than just a post or two to replace this time as a lot of us do. I started researching and see other methods including painting on wood preservative at ground line and caulking the opening between post and concrete.
How does the H&G set a post?
My method has been 4x4x10 in ~3' foot hole with 6"-8" of gravel. Set the post in hole (on gravel), and then brace plumb using two scraps of 2x4's one in each direction (N-S and E-W). I secure all posts this way before concreting. For that I use nearly 1 bag of quikcrete dry in the hole [edit, I make concrete above ground level and shape cone to shed water], adding water and rod/mix with dowel. Remove braces after 24 hrs and let her rip with stringers and pickets.
I don't have any long term (15+ years) results with this method to know if its ok or not. However I do know that 4x4 posts always fail at the ground line, with wood usually good both above this and below (still in concrete). I've got more than just a post or two to replace this time as a lot of us do. I started researching and see other methods including painting on wood preservative at ground line and caulking the opening between post and concrete.
How does the H&G set a post?
This post was edited on 9/9/21 at 10:06 am
6
Posted on 9/9/21 at 9:53 am to AutoYes_Clown
I don't even use gravel on the bottom. Just pour a few inches of Quikrete Fast Set, let that sit a few, then drop the post in and pour the rest of the concrete. Also, I make a little hill on top so water drains away from the post.
Posted on 9/9/21 at 9:53 am to AutoYes_Clown
Weed eaters are the reason why many post fail at ground level
Posted on 9/9/21 at 10:02 am to AutoYes_Clown
Does your concrete reach ground level or is there dirt around the post?
Posted on 9/9/21 at 10:04 am to Hermit Crab
quote:
Does your concrete reach ground level or is there dirt around the post?
Above ground level and make a cone to shed water away.
Posted on 9/9/21 at 10:42 am to AutoYes_Clown
I just put the post about 2 1/2 feet down, pour the quikcrete in till about 1 inch from the surface, then pour water in. After that I get it straight where I need it. It isn't often that the post moves.
Posted on 9/9/21 at 11:09 am to BallsEleven
Let me help you ---
How do you correctly set a 6x6 fence post
4x4 posts are a waste of time and you have to replace them within 10 yrs ... go w a 6x6
How do you correctly set a 6x6 fence post
4x4 posts are a waste of time and you have to replace them within 10 yrs ... go w a 6x6
Posted on 9/9/21 at 11:11 am to OntarioTiger
quote:
4x4 posts are a waste of time and you have to replace them within 10 yrs
Posted on 9/9/21 at 11:14 am to OntarioTiger
quote:
How do you correctly set a 6x6 fence post
4x4 posts are a waste of time and you have to replace them within 10 yrs ... go w a 6x6
yep
if you want it to hold up to cat 2 winds you really need 4' hole and 6x6 post. OP is doing everything correctly but needs to be 6x6
as far as the caulk on the TOC cone and the post, you can but isnt going to make a huge difference. Neiher is painting.
Posted on 9/9/21 at 11:49 am to lsu777
A buddy of mine has a neighbor and they just split a long fence project. Buddy's friend "contractor" dug post holes for 4x6 posts and set them in plumb with 2x4 braces, then just dumped dry concrete in...but never added water. Said rainwater and groundwater would give it all it needed. Lol Hurricane Ida came thru and a large section of the new fence was almost blown completely over. "Contractor" now removing all boards, resetting posts, and adding water this time.
I have never heard of setting posts with just dry concrete. Anyone else?
I have never heard of setting posts with just dry concrete. Anyone else?
Posted on 9/9/21 at 11:53 am to MaxDraft
quote:
I have never heard of setting posts with just dry concrete. Anyone else?
I have heard of it several times, one of the reasons I started this thread. To see if anyone recommends and their results doing it.
Posted on 9/9/21 at 12:09 pm to MaxDraft
I set em with dry concrete. Works fine as long as there is moisture in ground.
Posted on 9/9/21 at 12:32 pm to MaxDraft
quote:
I have never heard of setting posts with just dry concrete. Anyone else?
heard of it but as a civil I fricking think its stupid. Some of the concrete will get wet and set up at different times and start forming cold joints. its not a huge ordeal but its dumb to not atleast pour it in dry, add water and stir with rebar. other thing is the center of the cocnrete never gets wet and mixed because the outside forms a crust over it.
essentially you are weakening the cocnrete. its dumb AF and lazy
Posted on 9/9/21 at 12:42 pm to MaxDraft
quote:
I have never heard of setting posts with just dry concrete. Anyone else?
That's how I was raised
. Just dump it in and the moisture will handle it. Never questioned it as I don't do it often.Posted on 9/9/21 at 1:38 pm to OntarioTiger
quote:
4x4 posts are a waste of time and you have to replace them within 10 yrs ... go w a 6x6
I'm in Houma and my fence is the only standing in my neighborhood. 100% intack, not a plank missing. It's shadow boxed with 2.5" spacing and 3" wood screws. Three 2x4 runners and 6x6s every 8'. Also Brick columns every 40'.
Posted on 9/9/21 at 1:55 pm to AutoYes_Clown
Has anyone tried the post protectors?
Posted on 9/9/21 at 2:28 pm to Shexter
quote:
make a little hill on top so water drains away from the post.
This!
Posted on 9/9/21 at 2:30 pm to MaxDraft
quote:i have......just isnt a great idea.
I have never heard of setting posts with just dry concrete. Anyone else?
Posted on 9/9/21 at 3:31 pm to dragginass
quote:
Has anyone tried the post protectors?
i assume thats to stop weedeater and lawn mower from tearing them up?
Posted on 9/9/21 at 4:04 pm to AutoYes_Clown
quote:
How do you correctly set a 4x4 fence post in Louisiana?
Same way you do it in other states.
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