Setting fence posts in gravel rather than concrete and other fence tips and tricks?

   / Setting fence posts in gravel rather than concrete and other fence tips and tricks? #11  
obed-- great info.. I did not even consider the quality of the pressure treatment...
and the gravel at the bottom... did you tamp it? or could it settle over time?

J
 
   / Setting fence posts in gravel rather than concrete and other fence tips and tricks? #12  
Most posts rot at ground level or 6-8" below. I would use pressure treated if you must. I would also paint or spray the posts a foot above and below ground level with copper 2 preservative. I would let it dry and then paint that area with a tar or driveway sealer.
You mentioned you were going to paint everything before installation - that's a great idea and I would just paint over the above mentioned preservative and tar. I would also do the same plus add a square piece of ice shield or tar paper on top of the posts before installing the metal caps. It only takes a few more minutes per posts but add a lifetime.

You can buy plastic sleeves to put posts in - seen them on-line but they are as expensive as the posts.

Good luck.
 
   / Setting fence posts in gravel rather than concrete and other fence tips and tricks? #13  
Have you considered using JUMBO 4x4 posts. They measure 4 1/8" x 4 1/8". I like these better than the standard 4x4 posts.

The first time I used them , I purchased from a lumber yard, the last time, Home Depot actually had them.

Just take a tape measure with you.
 
   / Setting fence posts in gravel rather than concrete and other fence tips and tricks? #14  
I'm surprised no one has used the term "ground contact" pressure treated. That's what we use around here, and, like it says, this is designed for ground contact,
 
   / Setting fence posts in gravel rather than concrete and other fence tips and tricks? #15  
I would second the concern of using 5/4 lumber for the rails it is too weak. Between the wind blowing against it and the sun warping it I think this would fail long before the posts.
 
   / Setting fence posts in gravel rather than concrete and other fence tips and tricks? #16  
obed-- great info.. I did not even consider the quality of the pressure treatment...
and the gravel at the bottom... did you tamp it? or could it settle over time?

J
I put about 4 or 6 inches of gravel below the posts. I can't remember if I tamped the gravel before I put the posts in the holes. Tamping the gravel would not be a bad idea.
 
   / Setting fence posts in gravel rather than concrete and other fence tips and tricks? #17  
I put about 4 or 6 inches of gravel below the posts. I can't remember if I tamped the gravel before I put the posts in the holes. Tamping the gravel would not be a bad idea.
I just tamp it with the post when putting them in.
 
   / Setting fence posts in gravel rather than concrete and other fence tips and tricks? #18  
Don't buy your posts from one of the big box stores. Their pressure treated posts tend to be substandard. Often they are not rated for below ground use.

Really? Just last night I finished re-decking the dock on my lake. It sits on six 6X6 posts that have been submerged, supporting the dock, for almost 20 years. They were in near perfect condition and perfectly solid just 1/16" of an inch in. If you consider those "sub-standard", I don't need "standard". I honestly do not care if it's still here in 150 years.
 
   / Setting fence posts in gravel rather than concrete and other fence tips and tricks? #19  
Drago, you placed those post 20 years ago. What you buy today just isn't the same thing unless you are buying from a marine supply yard from what I have found.

MarkV
 
   / Setting fence posts in gravel rather than concrete and other fence tips and tricks? #20  
Keep in mind also that damp and rot are not the same thing as totally submerged...completely immersed in water can behave as a preservative for some types of wood/timber...local lake still has submerged tree tops (lake was dammed in 1966) that you can tie your boat to in high winds, however, everything from the waterline up has long ago rotted and decayed away. The submerged part is as strong as ever. We had treated telephone poles pile driven for our dock/boathouse in the late '70's and they are still going strong.
 

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