Pouring concrete on fence posts – practical tips

The basic structural and load-bearing element of mesh and panel fences are metal posts. They are located at distances of 2-2.5 m and are divided into: initial, middle and corner. It is on the poles that the entire weight of the fence rests, so they should be well embedded in the ground. How to fill the fence posts? Here are some practical tips.

Do fence posts need to be concreted?

Concreting posts is an activity that requires precision, time and a certain amount of knowledge. Many people wonder if fence poles need to be concreted at all and what are the alternative methods of fixing them in the ground. There are other mounting methods to choose from, for example:

• digging poles directly into the holes (with an insulating layer made of film, impregnations or primers for metal),

• fixing in the ground using protective, stiffening anchors with an anti-corrosion layer made of plastic,

• use of resin masses of the quixet type.

Despite the development of new technologies and building materials, concrete has no equal in such issues as durability or resistance to pressure. The concrete post does not corrode and has a stable backrest, thanks to which it does not skew and looks aesthetically pleasing for many years. Concreting poles and fence supports is therefore the best solution for people who plan to build a fence permanently.

How to flood fence posts?

Are you wondering how to flood the fence posts so that they do not rust and quickly anchor in the ground? For deposition in the ground of metal pipes or profiles, use semi-liquid, dry concrete. Where to get it? You can choose from 2 solutions: buying the finished product in bags (for example – concrete B20) or preparing the mortar step by step, from scratches, in a wheelbarrow or concrete mixer. 

The durability of the structure depends on the quality and correctness of the preparation of concrete, so if you have no experience in concreting, choose a ready-made mixture. If you know the proportions of cement, sand, aggregates and water, or you have the support of a professional with the appropriate technical knowledge, use your own concrete to pour fence posts .

Dry concrete or wet concrete for fence posts? Basic differences

Should you choose wet or dry concrete to stabilize the fence posts directly in the ground? Both types of concrete have the same composition, and the only difference is the amount of water necessary to combine all the components. In the so-called dry concrete there is little of it, thanks to which it is dense and compact. In wet concrete, as the name suggests, there is much more liquid, which makes the mixture have a watery, liquid consistency (such concrete is most often poured from a pear – concrete mixer).

It is the large amount of water that causes wet concrete to not be able to fuse well with the ground, because in itself it contains a lot of moisture and does not need to draw it from the outside. Dry concrete behaves completely differently in the ground, which, thanks to the moisture contained in the soil, gains hardness and co-creates a monolithic structure together with the substrate, which affects the stability of the fence. For concreting metal elements of the fence, choose dry concrete, thanks to which you will do the fencing of the plot efficiently and quickly.

Pouring of prefabricated fasteners in panel fences

Are you planning to build a fence from fence panels and do not know what to pour the posts? As with mesh fences, use dry concrete to stabilize metal profiles, which dries quickly, which facilitates the express assembly of the remaining elements of the fence. Remember that if you want to have a fence with a prefabricated foundation, then only after pouring the posts and tying the concrete, you can proceed to laying fasteners and concrete slabs.

Should you also concrete prefabricated fasteners in panel fences? Polish manufacturers offer various fastening systems. If the post adheres directly to the walls of the fastener, then there is no need for concreting. In some fencing systems, a vacuum is created inside the prefabricated band surrounding the post – fill it with mortar to stiffen the structure and give it an aesthetic look.

Flooding of fence posts – when to plan?

Fresh concrete needs the right conditions to bind well. What conditions are we talking about? It's all about the ambient temperature. Avoid concreting fence posts or building a foundation on cold and hot days. Assembly work is best planned in spring or autumn, when the temperature outside is between 5-20 ° C, which promotes the setting of concrete.

When it is too warm outside (above 24°C) and there is intense sunlight, the concrete dries too quickly and crumbles. In such unfavorable conditions, the only way to protect the mortar from drying is to water it regularly. In winter conditions, in turn, there are problems with tying, which often turns out to be impossible without the use of special, frost-resistant preparations.