Whats best to hold up fence posts?

[auntypurple]

I am going to be putting up some 6ft high fence panels next month and wondering is it best to dig holes and use cemant(sp?) or those metal spikey things that you hammer into the ground to hold up the fence posts? I have never put up fence panels before but can't afford to pay someone to do it for me. Can anyone advise which is best, or is there something better? Thanks

Dig holes 2 feet deep, ideally using a post-hole spade (long thin spade - fairly cheap), and put post in hole. Surround with mix of cement and balast (sand and small stones). YOu can buy pre-mixed post cement which contains all of the above mixed together in bags fairly cheaply but buying it separately is even cheaper (but more work). You put in the mix dry and it gradually sets with the moisture in the earth, evening dew etc. Ideally don't do it on a windy day and get someone to hold the post whilst you are shoring it up. You'll need a good quality spirit level to make sure it is level in both directions. Ideally stand the ends of the post that are going into the cement in fence treatment paint for 24 hours prior to putting them in the hole to extend the life of the post as it is usually just above the cement hole where the post rots. If you have the time and money to do close board fencing it is a far stronger fence and means you can situate the posts where you want them (which is useful if you are replacing a fence as it means you won't have to dig out old concrete - if this is the case another method of avoiding digging out old concrete is to stagger the fence panels, i.e. start with a narrower panel). SDS drills (in hammer mode) with a mortal chisel attachment are very useful to break up and dig out old concrete and relatively cheap (£25 from Screwfix.com).

If you have any further questions add them to this thread and I'll get DH to reply.

I have put up a few fences in my time.

IME the metal spikes are evil, never go in straight or in the right place so then your panel doesn't fit. Whereas with holes, you can line up and prop the whole fence, and then concrete it solid when you have it right.

Concrete should be fine as long as the post is well treated against rot. You can slope the surface of the concrete slightly down so water doesn't pond at the bottom of the post.

I have always dug a reasonably decent size hole, put in 2 bags of post-fix (ready mixed dry sand/cement/gravel) and followed it up with a bucket of water.

There must be a Wickes leaflet on this. Aha, here.

It really is a 2-person job though, have you got someone who could help?

Thanks for the replies. The man at the building supply place said I need 8ft posts, so presuming I dig holes that are 2ft deep. My only worry with this is that I tried to dig a hole last year, can't remember what for and couldn't dig it deep enough. The ground was really hard as it goes further down. My brother in law said he'd help me. I will look up close board fencing as I don't know what that is. I was just going to use cheap panels £16 each. Does need to be strong though. It's to keep a dog in and the neighbours kids out. They are sods for climbing on the fence, which is 4ft high. I was going to leave the 4ft fence there and put mine in front of it. Will that cause any problems?

A post hole shovel will help you dig the holes, it's kind of narrow and sharp a bit like this. You have to chip away at it. If the ground is hard those metal spikes DEFINITELY won't go in!

If kids are climbing onto a fence they will probably destroy a flimsy one. Are they likely to use the 4 foot one as a step to get onto the bigger one? A close-board/feather edge fence will be a lot stronger in the long run. Good luck - what a project!

Will get one of those shovels, was using a normal spade type one before.
It is a bit of a project, a bit daunting one tbh, but I want a dog, and wan't to keep him safe, so needs must. I have untill this time next year(roughly to do it all). After fencing, I am putting down weed control fabric, and 2 tons of gravel on top. I keep telling myself that it will be worth all the hard work.

If you can, put some trellis on top of the fence and that should stop those pesky kids!

I think the little sods would climb trelis, or stick their hands through the holes and tease my dog(which I don't have yet). I am currently looking at a way to try and make the exsisting fence higher in the middle( it's 6ft on either end), rather then put a new fence in front.

I think we have it. I sent some pics of my exsiting fence to my dad. Where the 4ft fence is the fence posts stick out of the top a good few inches. He says that rather then build a new fence that I can buy fence repair spurs, they go on the post's already there, then will hold a 2 ft post in place. Then all I need is 2ft fence panels to go on top, and bolt it all together. Which will be much cheaper, meaning I can afford to get the close board panels, if they do them that small. Problem sorted.
Thanks for the help.