Stupid Question

RobertCDF

Hey I've got a dumb one for you. When doing a fence (cedar) do you dig your piers below frost line? and how big a diameter should the holes be for a 4x4 post? Close to the dumbest question I have asked but what the hell who cares.

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Robert Shaw
Colorado Springs Custom Decks
Colorado Custom Decks
Custom Composite Decks

jmic

Robert,
It all depends, if you're in Florida who cares about frost! Big enoughe to get the 4x4's in.

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___"Remember You Never Get A Second Chance To Make A First Impression"______________________
Joe

DecksEtc

Here the frost line is 42" or so. I have all my post holes dug to 48" (cedar or PT, doesn't matter) and the holes are done with an 8" auger.

Tom R

No Rob, - - far as I know, fence posts don't have to be at 'frost line' level, - - 'cuz it's not that critical if they 'heave' a little bit, - - I believe the basic rule of thumb is bury it an absolute minimum of 1/3 the height of the 'exposed' part of the post.

In other words, - - for a 6' fence, - - you'd use 8' posts and bury 'em 2'.

P.S. 'nother rule of thumb, Rob, - - go a 2' minimum for any post, - - and go a 3' minimum for any 'gate' post.

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bob the builder

I'm going with decks exc. on post depth. Also if your using cedar posts I would not set them in the concrete because it will promote decay...

bob

Steve Unkie

Do you live in an area where you need to worry about frost heaves? If so, do you care if your fence looks good and level in a year or two? If not then don't worry about getting below the frost line.

Steve Unkie.

Mike Finley

Every fence post I have ever put in out here has been with a 12" auger and between 24 & 36 inches deep. Using a 10" Auger would be much easier when dealing with our soils for sure. I have yet to ever witness any frost heaving in the Front Range.

Tom R

12" seems wide, - - but I guess it helps for 'variation' if you're doing all the holes first?? I usually go 8", but go hole, post, hole, post, etc. I know, too slow, right?? Oh well, luckily, I don't do fence posts for a livin'!!

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Mike Finley

Yeah, 12 is big and now that you mentioned it, I had to go look at the rental receipt and I was wrong, it was 10" not 12". So scratch that. I certainly don't want to do fences for a living either. Thankfully they have all been for my own property. The 24 to 36 inch deep is correct... maybe...

RobertCDF

Its just a 20' fence to keep the nosy people next door from being a pain in the ass. I will use the p.t. posts. thanks for all the tips. this is some trade work for my webpage.

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Robert Shaw
Colorado Springs Custom Decks
Colorado Custom Decks
Custom Composite Decks

Tom R

Rob, - - not the 'nosy neighbors' fault, your wife's probly just too 'purdy'!!

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K2

I live in your town Robert and I've never seen anyone worry about frost on a fence post. Clay is the bigger culprit in our area for heaving fences and so far they havn't gone to engineered designs. ... unless your over 6 feet.

G54Bstore

with a 6ft privacy fence all you need is 2 ft in the ground.
i found that cone shaped holes stand up to the FL.wind best.

K2

Cone point up or down?? I like the holes wider at the bottom than the top but I havn't done more than a half dozen fences.