How to Set Vinyl Fence Posts
Vinyl is a great material for fences because it will not yellow, rust, rot or decay. Vinyl is also resistant to paint, so while you can't customize its color, you also don't have to worry about vandalism. Most vinyl fences come with prefabricated panels that will fasten to the fence posts. These panels make the installation on the fence a bit easier, but it also means that the distance between fence posts has to be exact in order for the panels to fit. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Stakes
- String
- Measuring tape
- Spray paint
- Post hole digger
- Spade
- Gravel
- Level
- Quick-setting concrete
Instructions
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1
Place a stake in the ground where you want to place the first post. Tie one end of the string to the stake and walk to the area where you want the next post. Some vinyl fences use panels that cannot be cut, so you need to place the posts exactly.
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2
Add the length of the panel, plus the width of the post, and ¼ inch for the hanger and screws. This will give you the total distance between the center of each post. Measure out this distance on the string and spray paint an "X" on the spot. Double-check your measurement before you mark the spot, since being off by more than ¼ inch will prevent the fence from coming together.
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3
Continue to measure and paint for the entire distance of the fence. Use additional stakes to hold up the string at corner posts.
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4
Dig a 12-inch wide and 30-inch deep hole with the post hole digger. Make the bottom of the hole a little wider than the top so that frost will not push the post out of the ground. You may have to dig out the bottom by hand to make sure that it is wider than the top.
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5
Drop 6 inches of gravel into the hole.
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6
Place the post in the center of the hole and use the level to make sure it is straight. Have a helper hold the post while you pour the concrete. If you don't have a helper, keep the post as straight as possible while you pour the concrete, and immediately make sure it is straight when you have finished pouring.
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Combine water and concrete mix according to the instructions on the concrete bag. Most concrete mixes will have you alternate pouring in concrete mix and water until near the top. If you want grass around the post, fill in the top 4 inches with dirt. Otherwise, fill the hole with concrete until a little over the top, and mound the concrete so that water will drain away from the post.
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8
Continue digging post holes and setting the posts until they are all in the ground. Give the concrete a few hours to completely dry before continuing your vinyl fence project.
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