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Wooden Post and Rail Fence - To concrete them in or not

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  • 01-07-2015 12:41pm
    #1
    Colm R
    Registered Users Posts: 997 ✭✭✭


    I understand that posts and rails over time will rot and have to be replaced. Will bedding the post in concrete speed up the rotting process or will it have little or no effect.


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    #2
    tampopo
    Registered Users Posts: 2,333 ✭✭✭tampopo


    what was the reason or reasons people objected to concreting in the posts?

    I'd go with that option.


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    #3
    Colm R
    Registered Users Posts: 997 ✭✭✭Colm R


    tampopo wrote: »
    what was the reason or reasons people objected to concreting in the posts?

    I'd go with that option.

    Concrete absorbs and holds moisture. It effectively makes it a cup that will rot out the footing. Whilst the posts and rails have a lifespan of X years, setting in concrete reduces X considerably is what I am told.

    Now I'm thinking of something like this

    http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Landscaping/d130/Fence+Post+Metalwork+%26+Tools/sd3224/Post+Base/p82691


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    #4
    tampopo
    Registered Users Posts: 2,333 ✭✭✭tampopo


    Drive-in Post Anchor. Set in concrete. Be grand.


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    #5
    lazybones32
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,647 ✭✭✭lazybones32


    The timber above-ground will rot before the timber encased in concrete.


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    #6
    bazbrady
    Registered Users Posts: 257 ✭✭bazbrady


    i recently had a post and rail fence put up and was advised to not set the posts in concrete either,however the fence i got was a PDM cresote fence which i have read a good bit about and seen ones up around my area over 20 years no bother,they are the only company allowed pressure treat wood with cresote as far as im aware,based in kildare they supply the eircom esb poles etc countrywide,good fencing contractors will supply one for you ,not cheap but will last you ages,may even see you out..check out their website.


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    #7
    The Master.
    Registered Users Posts: 167 ✭✭The Master.


    I stuck my posts in concrete but i painted the ends well with used motor oil. Cant remember what made me do it but seemed like a good idea as i had spent 700 euro on the posts and weatherboards concrete and gravel.
    I had to unscrew all the boards off and reset the posts because i erected it just before a long period of wild weather.
    What type of wood are you using?
    Worth doing right the first time i found to my cost.


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    #8
    upandcumming
    Registered Users Posts: 2,718 ✭✭✭upandcumming


    We had metal posts made up, welded small pieces with holes on the each side of the posts, set them in concrete and then screwed the rails from the back. They're there probably fifteen years and not even bit of rust.


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    #9
    Jack Sawyer
    Registered Users Posts: 74 ✭✭Jack Sawyer


    lazybones32 wrote: »
    The timber above-ground will rot before the timber encased in concrete.

    No as another poster mentioned the concrete will retain the water around the wood and provide an ideal environment for rot.

    - I know from experience in my own garden having easily pushed over and snapped some 4" posts with rotted bases (set in concrete) with one hand and happily re-used the structurally sound over ground lengths in another project....


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