Whether you are building a fence, setting a mailbox, or even a basketball goal, the best way to make sure your post will stay sturdy and true for years is to set it in QUIKRETE Concrete Mix. The quickest and easiest way to set your post is to use QUIKRETE Fast-Setting Concrete because there is no mixing. You simply pour it into the hole dry. Then, add water.
When digging your post hole, it is important that the diameter of your hole be three times the width of your post, so the hole for a 4 inch wood post should be about 12 inches wide. The depth of your post should be 1/3 to 1/2 of post height, above ground, so a six foot tall fence would require a hole depth of at least two feet.
It is also recommended to add about six inches to the hole depth for the addition of gravel. Once you have dug your post hole, add about six inches of QUIKRETE All-Purpose Gravel into the bottom of the hole. Then, compact and level the gravel, using the post or a 2×4. Set the post into the hole. Then, use a level to position the post perfectly vertically.
Fill the hole with QUIKRETE Fast-Setting Concrete, up to three to four inches below ground level. Next, pour about a gallon of water into the hole. Allow the water to saturate the concrete mix. Fast-Setting Concrete will set hard in about 20 to 40 minutes. Wait about four hours to begin constructing your fence or applying heavy weight to your post. Fast-Setting Concrete can be used for setting wood or metal posts. It can also be mixed with water and poured around a post, as in the traditional post setting applications.
Project Instructions
When working with cement-based products, always wear eye protection and waterproof gloves.
Step 1
Dig post hole so diameter of the hole is 3 times the width of the post (i.e., the hole for a 4” wood post should be about 12 inches wide). The depth of the hole should be 1/3-1/2 the post height above ground (i.e., a 6-foot tall fence would require a hole depth of at least 2 feet).
Step 2
Add about 6 inches of QUIKRETE All-Purpose Gravel into the bottom of the hole. Then compact and level the gravel using a post or 2×4.
Step 3
Set the post into the hole and attach 2×4 braces to adjacent sides of the post.
Step 4
Use a level to position the post perfectly vertical.
Step 5
Fill the hole with Fast-Setting Concrete up to 3 to 4 inches below ground level.
Step 6
Pour about a gallon of water per 50 lb bag into the hole and allow the water to saturate the concrete mix.
NOTE: mix will set hard in 20 to 40 minutes
Step 7
Wait about 4 hours to begin constructing your fence or applying heavy weight to your post.
Shopping List
- 50 lb QUIKRETE Fast-Setting Concrete
- 50 lb QUIKRETE All-Purpose Gravel
- Pressure treated wood post or galvanized metal post
- Level
- 5-gallon bucket
- Measuring pail
- Post hole digger
- Gloves
- Safety glasses
(Optional)
- QUIKRETE Building form
- Shovel
- Plastic mixing tub
For more project ideas just like this, visit QUIKRETE.com.
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