Pro Fence Builder Reacts to DIY Fence Post Installation

How to set a fence post is one of the most controversial issues in the fencing world, and rightfully so. Today we're looking at a DIY fence post installation method. Is this method proper and correct? Or is this fence post going to fail prematurely? Let's dig into it

I'm Joe Everest, The Fence Expert. On this channel, I'm going to teach you everything there is to know about fences. We're going to show you how to build a fence, everything about fence posts, different fence installation methods and much, much more. If you're wanting to become a fence builder, or if you're just trying to build a DIY fence, my channel will help you out. So subscribe and ring the bell icon, that way you don't miss any of my fence videos!

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[donaldmartin]

I worked a season as a wood fence installer for a local company in Akron, Ohio. I was on the Cedar wood fence crew, myself and another man who really knew what he was doing. Being the grunt I mixed concrete in a wheel barrow, he used a Little Beaver auger and the fence sections were prebuilt in our plant. We used a string line and did not attach it to the post but did bring the posts right up to the line. So dig hole set post install fence section rinse repeat. Not by my skills but the young man that I worked with always got us dead on stright. We did board on board and the last thing we would do and the end of the day was look down the fence line thruogh the gap and it was always perfect, we called it the "Zone". As I said not my skill but his.

[mytubebobbieh]

I think that was a great video for the DIY crowd not the Pros. I’m by no means a Pro and am a DIY’er myself but I have done research and watched plenty of pros setting posts and fences and one can see those individuals have the experience to talk about the benefits and issues with certain methods used and often provide that knowledge and information for folks like me who want to do a good job but don’t necessarily do it for a living. I just care enough to want to know the proper way and do a good job so I can get the most out of my money spent on the projects I undertake. Great job on the Pro’s comments and input. I sincerely appreciate that.

[oscarloya]

I built my first fence with your help using the postmaster posts last summer and I’m proud to say it is still standing and I’m in the Windy City. I used cedar pickets and went with the board on board look with a top cap, I stained it chestnut color and get compliments all the time. Wood prices were through the roof which made it easier to chose on doing it myself. Thanks for the help, big fan

[beardyface]

Place I grew up there was 6 to 12 inches of sandy soil followed by solid sandstone, using hand tools post holes for a washing line was a weekend project by itself.
Answer is to plant a hedge. No concrete to mix & they don't rot off at the base... You do have to trim them though.

[congocat]

First of all I love your show and enjoy listening to you talk about fences. I hear you talk about putting gravel in the bottom of a fenced post hole and I know you go either way on that subject. I recently refurbished my 25 year old fence. I had to reset 20 of the 25 post I had, either because they were leaning or showing signs of rot. I found that all The Rot occurred within 6 in of the ground. I have wet clay soil and found that they were sitting right on the damp ground with no gravel. There was little or no rot at that level. I did some research and found that for rot to really occur you need oxygen. At 3 ft down I don't imagine there's much oxygen available. Just thought I would give you my opinion

[ericcano]

Thank you so much for giving the post line explanation at the beginning. I am doing my first fence and this channel has be so helpful. Funny thing is I got this video recommended to me as I was watching the video you are reacting to haha. I thought it was odd when he just poured water in expecting it to do the mixing for him.

[jeremynelson]

I like to set my end posts first and string line off them. I'll shim the string maybe maybe eighth off the end posts so I can eyeball the gap on the line posts instead of using the measuring tape.

[autumnwoe]

I'm so glad I found your channel before I built my fence. You saved me from so many mistakes. I definitely built a superior fence having followed your direction.

[Wabby]

For most applications I absolutely HATE that red bag fast set concrete. I was doing an area drain and had to pour about a 12” x 12” section of concrete. I mixed it and left it a little more on the wet side. poured it, just kinda hand leveled it real quick. Ran to the van to get a trowel came back 30 seconds later and it was hard as an absolute rock. Couldn’t do anything to it. It looked to bad I had to break it out and redo it. Pissed me off so bad! I’m talking from pouring to “fully” set was under 90 seconds. 😡 never again.

[blackskull]

Exactly the same in Scotland, it’s like years ago everything was backfilled, rocks, house bricks, basically anything and anything

[adamhughes]

I’m digging post holes right now for a show steer pen. Lots of your tips are coming into play. As far as ground goes…. It’s about 18” of kind of tough soil, the last 6-8” is hard limestone, clay stuff that is breaker bar only! Still not as hard as my fence at the house. That ground, killed an auger like his! Haha I’m in central Texas so I went 24-26” deep for 5’ above ground.

[rogerstevenson]

I installed a lot of fence in Clarksville TN and we had the round clay rocks there. We called them “baby heads”

[evelynmahoney]

In the San Francisco Bay Area - I've never heard any talk about a frost line here. Apparently its important in many other psrts of the country.

[TDREXrx]

working solo i like to premix my regular cement then by the time i got the 3rd bag in it just holds it self in place but i still got time to adjust if needed

[northwestgaming]

When it comes to setting post I like to fill with cement. Then dome the cement around post to drain water away from post. Seem to have had pretty good results. Never have had a problem or complaint so I continue with this method.

[dustinfuller]

How important is running the water away from the post base if it's pressure treated?

[mrockcastle]

I’m doing a fence as we speak I watched his YouTube I just watch yours both are extremely helpful so thank you the only other thing I picked up from somebody else is when you’re pouring the concrete and make sure your back is towards the wind so you don’t want to inhale it if you can wear a mask cause silica I guess is not too good for you That’s the only thing I would add again thank you brother I’ll be busting my ass here in a few minutes.

[beaudevore]

You don’t even know I’ll be here in the northwest Washington and Oregon it’s brutal and I dig it with the little beaver all the time, It’s all about maintenance of your auger bits keeping them good and tuned up sharp rock bars tight hand diggers All go hand-in-hand

[northwestgaming]

I have pulled some dry pack post before and over half cement was still powder and gravel. Kinda seemed a waste at that point why not just use gravel.

[charlesviner]

Thanks for the video 👍watching from Davenport Iowa