Concrete slotted foot fence posts - do I really need 1/3 underground?

john9876

I need to replace the dilapidated fence panels between myself and my neighbour and want 6 foot panels and posts that will last a very long time.
I was planning to use concrete slotted posts but various sites seems to say that one third of the post needs to be underground.
Therefore, I'd need to dig a 3 foot hole which seems like a bit of a killer.
Anybody think I'd be ok with 2 feet underground?

daheff

2 foot is fine.....until the first storm.

Do it right & do it once.


Also if you only put 2 feet into the ground you'll have 7 foot above ground....so fence panels are now too short

john9876

I can get 8 feet posts so I'd have 25% underground instead of 33%

CJhaughey

Don't underestimate the forces that wind will put on a fence.
2 ft is only 60cm, that is a very small amount of post under the ground stabilising a very large area of fence panelling.
Its hard work digging in footings for fence posts but if the fence blows over then all your money and effort have been wasted.

Lumen

The first six inches or so will be topsoil so that reduces your effective support to around 18 inches...

GinSoaked

Splash out and get the right tools

A good five foot digging bar.

Shuvholers - Post hole diggers

A deep hole fencing spade

Drainage shovel

The top two being the most useful, break up the bottom with the bar and use the "Sugar Tongs" for lifting stuff out of the hole they are not for smashing up the bottom. If you use them like that they won't last 5 minutes.

Lumen

Auger?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-FPA-Fence-Post-Auger/dp/B00D847FYY/

GinSoaked

Lumen wrote: »

Auger?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-FPA-Fence-Post-Auger/dp/B00D847FYY/

I have one and virtually never use it. Fine on open farmland with good topsoil but anywhere there have been buildings it soon gets defeated by stones and rubble.