How To Set A Fence Post | Cement Australia

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Cement Australia has prepared this project guide to help you set posts using concrete with confidence. We hope it is useful, but we recommend you obtain expert advice confirming the suitability of the concrete product for your proposed application.

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Tools you will need:

• Spirit level
• Tape measure
• String line
• Post hole digger or long handled shovel
• Shovel
• Measuring jug
• Hose or bucket
• Hammer
• Wheelbarrow or concrete mixer
• Spray marker paint
• Rod for tamping

Materials you will need:

• Bags of 20kg Rapid Set
• Posts
• Drainage material: gravel
• Clean water
• Timber supports
• Timber stakes
• Double-headed or clout nails for easy removal

Recommended products

For timber fence posts, you can use any of the Cement Australia 'just add water' concrete products - just follow the instructions below. For setting letterbox posts, clotheslines or uprights (stirrups) please see the individual project instructions. For steel or aluminium posts, please ensure that your posts are sealed according to the manufacturers' recommendations to prevent corrosion occurring.

Rapid Set Concrete Specially formulated to harden rapidly, so you can complete a job faster PROSTRENGTH® Rapid Set Concrete Mix

Made right here in Australia, Cement Australia's PROSTRENGTH® Rapid Set Concrete is designed to harden rapidly and deliver 40MPa* - twice the strength of a standard rapid set mix . Ideal for those more demanding jobs where higher strength is specified. Suitable for professional fencing, gates, commercial signs, retaining walls, sporting equipment installations and general building site and home projects.

Concrete Mix Quality product designed for small projects Post Set Concrete Ideally suited for stabilising non-structural posts

Before you get started

• Use the Calculator to estimate how many 20kg bags you will need
• Read the Hints & Tips section
• Setting posts one at a time is a good idea, but make sure all your posts are braced and ready if using Rapid Set Concrete.
• Rapid Set Concrete will harden in 15 minutes or even faster on a hot day. Be prepared to complete your project quickly. Take the time to read these instructions carefully before getting started.
• Ensure you have any relevant approvals or permits Ensure there are no pipes or services below the ground; contact Dial Before You Dig on 1100 or via their website www.1100.com.au for advice on the locations of submerged pipes and cables.

Safety

Before you begin any project, please ensure you protect yourself with the following:

Boots Face mask Gloves Googles Long pants & sleeves Team lift

Look after yourself properly

• Protect your skin and eyes. Cement based products are alkaline and can cause burns to exposed skin or eyes.
• When working outdoors, be SunSmart - Slip on some sun-protective clothing – Slop on sunscreen - Slap on a hat - Seek shade - Slide on some sunglasses.
• All 20kg bags of cement products require 2 people to lift them safely. Always follow safe lifting procedures to avoid injury. So you will need a friend to help you handle the 20kg bags and to assist with setting the posts.

SETTING A POST

1 MARK OUT THE POST POSITIONS

Place a stake at each end of where the posts are going to be erected and run a string line 5 cm above the ground in line with the posts. Mark out the location of each post hole using spray paint.

Tip

Place the end stakes 50cm beyond where the end posts are to be set so it is easy to dig the holes without impacting on the string line.

2 DIG THE HOLE(S)

Dig your post hole(s) adding an extra 10cm depth to allow for gravel to be placed under the post for drainage.

Refer to our simple calculator to work out how much concrete product you will need.

3 SOAK THE HOLE(S)

Pre-soak the hole thoroughly with clean water and allow the water to drain into the soil.

4 POSITION THE POST

Place 10cm of gravel in the hole for drainage. Position your post in the centre of the hole, ensuring that it is vertical using the spirit level and square to the string line.

For wooden posts, brace in position using timber supports nailed to the post. Secure the supports into the ground with timber stakes and re-check the vertical alignment.

For metal posts, ask a friend to hold the post steady in position whilst you add the concrete.

IF YOU ARE USING RAPID SET CONCRETE (Non-Structual)

5 FOR RAPID SET - ADD WATER & HALF THE CONCRETE

Accurately measure 2 litres of clean water per 20kg bag (add 0.3-0.5L only if needed) and add the water to the hole. Immediately pour in half the bag of Rapid Set Concrete making sure that it is evenly distributed around the post.

Tip

Check and re-check that the post is exactly vertical otherwise your finished fence will be out of alignment.

6 FOR RAPID SET - TAMP WELL & ADD THE REST

Tamp the product around the post using a rod to remove any air pockets. Add the remaining half bag of product and tamp again. Add small amounts of water only if required to ensure that the mix is completely moistened. Should you need more concrete for the hole, immediately repeat the process with another bag.

Tip

Tamping is essential to remove air pockets and achieve solidly set posts every time.

7 FOR RAPID SET - SUPPORTS MAY BE REMOVED AFTER AT LEAST 1 HOUR

The product will harden initially in 15 minutes. Allow the Rapid Set Concrete to harden for at least 1 hour before removing the bracing supports. It is recommended to wait for 24 hours before affixing anything to the post.

IF YOU ARE USING POST SET, EXTRA STRENGTH OR CONCRETE MIX

5 FOR POST SET, EXTRA STRENGTH OR CONCRETE - MIX CONCRETE & WATER

In a non-porous vessel, such as a wheelbarrow, add the Concrete Mix no more than 2 bags at a time. Add exactly the amount of clean water instructed on the back of the packaging per bag of Concrete Mix and mix thoroughly remembering that excess water ruins good concrete.

Tip

Watch this video to see how to it’s done.

6 FOR POST SET, EXTRA STRENGTH OR CONCRETE - ADD CONCRETE & TAMP WELL

Add the correct amount of the mixed concrete to the hole, filling the hole to just below the ground surface. Tamp the product around the post using a rod to remove any air pockets. Should you need more concrete for the hole, immediately repeat the process with another bag.

Tip

Tamping is essential to remove air pockets and achieve solidly set posts every time.

7 FOR POST SET, EXTRA STRENGTH OR CONCRETE -REMOVE SUPPORTS

Allow the concrete to harden for at least 24 hours before removing the bracing supports. Wait for 3 days before affixing anything to the post.

Tip

If using Extra Strength Concrete Mix, supports can be removed in half the time.

Hints & tips

• For fence paneling, always ensure that the positions of the posts are the correct distance apart and mark out any gate positions in advance. A good way to do this is to lay out the materials – posts, rails, gates and panels - on the ground square to the string line in the proposed position.
• When setting a large number of posts, consider renting a mechanised post hole auger and a concrete mixer to make the job a lot easier and quicker.
• If setting timber posts use timber that is pre-treated to resist wet rot & termite attack.
• Always clean your equipment right away especially when using Rapid Set Concrete. Once concrete hardens, it is very hard to remove.

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