How to Install Fence Posts With Gravel

When building any type of fence, there are a number of ways to secure the posts in such a way that they will be stable enough to withstand the harshest of weather as well as the tests of time. Some methods work better for different types of fences; from chain-link fences to simple two-board cross fences. There are also price differentiations that accompany each type of fence post installation method. Installing fence posts with gravel is a simple and effective way to build a secure fence.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fence posts
• Fence post hole digger/driver
• Small-chip rock gravel
• Small-grain desert sand
• Water

Post Foundation

1. Dig down one and a half feet in the location your fence post will be placed. Modify the width of the hole according to the dimensions of your post. Do not fill with anything to begin. The post must be the first thing to be placed in the hole. This is important because anything below the bottom of the post will decrease its stability.

2. Place the post into the hole. Set it so that it is in the direct middle of the hole and not off to one side or another. The post will not stand by itself at this point, so you may need to have a partner help you (one holding the post, the other with the next steps). Next, pour some water into the hole to dampen the soil and prep it for molding into a foundation.

3. Take enough gravel to fill three or four inches of the bottom of the hole around the post. Place a layer of sand on top of this level of gravel. Cover that layer of sand with three to four inches of gravel, then sand, and repeat until the hole is filled to one or two inches above ground level. Next, pour enough water over the top of the hole to ensure that it goes down into the bottom and dampens all of your sand. This will work somewhat like concrete, to create an inner-lying adhesive for the gravel. Finally, secure the top of the hole and its surroundings up to the post with the ground soil that was dug up to make the hole. Move to the next post location and repeat.

Tips & Warnings

• It is best to let each post have at least 12 hours to settle before commencing the next steps of fence building.
• Try to pick locations away from trees to place your fence posts, otherwise you are likely to run into roots that won't allow you to dig as deep as needed.

References

• Home Builders Magazine

Resources

• Wood fence building