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Another Fence Question DominicSantini 03-23-2007
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Posted by DominicSantini on March 23, 2007, 9:35 am



Planning on putting up a fence (for privacy barrier
purposes - along with some new trees, etc).

Spoke to some local fence companies. They appear to
have different methods of installing the posts.

One outfit made a big deal they install their posts
approx 10' into the ground.

Another outfit, only goes a few feet (6 ? I forget).

Both claimed that cement was not needed around the
posts.

What is "best practice" for fence post installation?
Even researching it on the web revealed conflicting
methods (irrespective of local soil conditions). I'm
interested in doing it right the first time.

Haven't decided if vinyl fencing or cedar fencing is
the way to proceed either.

Also, if I ordered the fence parts off, say an internet
business, would a local contractor supply the labor ?
(I presume, they'd have no incentive to do this, but
i'm curious if anyone has done it). And no, i don't have
the time (or probably skill/patience) to do a DIY fence
installation.

Any thoughts / opinions from those with experience on
a fence project ?




AppliancePartsPros.com, Inc.
Posted by RicodJour on March 23, 2007, 11:16 am


DominicSantini wrote:
> Planning on putting up a fence (for privacy barrier
> purposes - along with some new trees, etc).
>
> Spoke to some local fence companies. They appear to
> have different methods of installing the posts.

No surprise there.

> One outfit made a big deal they install their posts
> approx 10' into the ground.

I'd make a big deal that they're full of shit. There could be no
possible reason to dig so deep. In fact, I don't know how you'd even
dig a small hole that deep without core-drilling equipment used for
taking soil samples, and believe me, they're not doing that.

> Another outfit, only goes a few feet (6 ? I forget).

Okay, now it's clear that it's _your_ recollection that is faulty.
You didn't say what type of fence it is, but _nobody_ sinks a fence
post deeper than 3' or 4'. Most fence posts are sunk 2' - 3'
depending on conditions.

> Both claimed that cement was not needed around the
> posts.

Very possibly not. What type of fence, how high, what type of posts,
what are your soil conditions?

> What is "best practice" for fence post installation?
> Even researching it on the web revealed conflicting
> methods (irrespective of local soil conditions). I'm
> interested in doing it right the first time.
>
> Haven't decided if vinyl fencing or cedar fencing is
> the way to proceed either.
>
> Also, if I ordered the fence parts off, say an internet
> business, would a local contractor supply the labor ?
> (I presume, they'd have no incentive to do this, but
> i'm curious if anyone has done it). And no, i don't have
> the time (or probably skill/patience) to do a DIY fence
> installation.

You'd have to ask the local contractors. I do know that around here a
lot of people wouldn't be interested. They'd look at it as you would
be complicating their lives (it's possible you could order all of the
parts you need with no omissions, but very possible you couldn't and
they'd still have to make runs for material). You might not be able
to get the materials for that much cheaper as you'd be dealing with
shipping on a small load and the fence company deals wholesale on
large loads. No way to be sure without asking.

Let your fingers do the walking.

R


Posted by JoeSpareBedroom on March 23, 2007, 11:21 am



>
>> One outfit made a big deal they install their posts
>> approx 10' into the ground.
>
> I'd make a big deal that they're full of shit. There could be no
> possible reason to dig so deep. In fact, I don't know how you'd even
> dig a small hole that deep without core-drilling equipment used for
> taking soil samples, and believe me, they're not doing that.


Sounds like they're installing a fence in a bayou. :-)



Posted by Michael Bulatovich on March 23, 2007, 12:21 pm



>
>>
>>> One outfit made a big deal they install their posts
>>> approx 10' into the ground.
>>
>> I'd make a big deal that they're full of shit. There could be no
>> possible reason to dig so deep. In fact, I don't know how you'd even
>> dig a small hole that deep without core-drilling equipment used for
>> taking soil samples, and believe me, they're not doing that.
>
>
> Sounds like they're installing a fence in a bayou. :-)

Yeah, maybe it's one of them new "floating fences".



Posted by Lawrence on March 23, 2007, 3:52 pm


> DominicSantini wrote:
> > Planning on putting up a fence (for privacy barrier
> > purposes - along with some new trees, etc).
>
> > Spoke to some local fence companies. They appear to
> > have different methods of installing the posts.
>
> No surprise there.
>
> > One outfit made a big deal they install their posts
> > approx 10' into the ground.
>
> I'd make a big deal that they're full of shit. There could be no
> possible reason to dig so deep. In fact, I don't know how you'd even
> dig a small hole that deep without core-drilling equipment used for
> taking soil samples, and believe me, they're not doing that.
>
> > Another outfit, only goes a few feet (6 ? I forget).
>
> Okay, now it's clear that it's _your_ recollection that is faulty.
> You didn't say what type of fence it is, but _nobody_ sinks a fence
> post deeper than 3' or 4'. Most fence posts are sunk 2' - 3'
> depending on conditions.

In my experience you are correct about the depth of fence posts. I am
also in agreement with the general tone of your post. There is a small
possiblity, however, that the OP lives in a place has very unstable
sandy soil or hurricane prone area. Possible but unlikely
considering that OP has not returned to his post.

I will point out, however, that it is not necessary to dig holes at
all to place the posts. Without digging one bit, it is possible to
use a hydraulic post pounder or pile driver. Road crews use them to
place posts in the ground for guard rails. Very often poles are set
with no hole or with minimal holes with the use of this heavy
equipment. A pounded post is supposed to be much, much, stronger than
an equivalent post that is only backfilled whether with dirt or
concrete.

The reason I know this is because I am actually looking into a post
pounder for my fence project. It will fit on my Bobcat skidsteer and
looks to be quite a labor saver. It will pound any kind of post from
steel to wood. In my case I plan to auger undersized holes and then
pound them. My shoulder injury prevents me form pounding posts by
hand.

It works best in soft ground obviously and you tend to shatter a few
posts when doing it. Some crews do it in any ground. It is done,
however, and saves a lot of time and work from what I can tell.

Not many people have one except road crews and fence contractors but
they are available in my area for rent and for sale. Some guys say
they will never use one since it is a bit dangerous pounding on wooden
posts. When one splinters yu don't want to be nearby.



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