How Wide Should the Holes for Fence Posts Be?
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Corner, Brace & Gate Posts
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The corner, brace and gate posts are under a lot of tension. The tight wires will pull a post out of the ground if it is not installed properly. This type of post will need an oversized hole that can be back-filled with concrete. The post should be buried a minimum of three and a half foot deep and set in a concrete anchor of 20 square inches.
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Runner Posts
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The purpose of the runner posts is to hold the wire off of the ground. These are the posts between the brace, gate and corner posts. The posts should be buried below the freeze line to prevent them from uprooting during freezes and thaws. A good depth is 36 inches for runner posts and the hole should be just large enough to slide the post into the ground. Back fill and tamp dirt to ensure proper burial. For example, a 3-inch diameter post would require a 4-inch diameter hole.
Bottom Line
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Different post types require different sized holes. The corner, brace and gate posts will be under stress and require the larger holes and concrete. T-posts, which are excellent runner posts, can be pounded into the ground with no holes required.
References
- Photo Credit The Fence image by Christopher Meder from Fotolia.com
