Making the Hole
Check for utility lines in your yard before you dig. Many yards have utility lines for electricity, plumbing, or gas running underneath them. Contact your local utility companies 2-3 days before you plan on digging your post to see if there are any lines running underneath the area. If you’re in the United States, you can call 811 a few days before you dig so utility companies can come mark where they have lines.
Measure your post, and make your hole 3 times its width. Use a tape measure to find the width of your pole. When you have the measurement, mark the ground where you want to place your post. Make sure there is enough room to make the hole 3 times the width of your fence post so you can pour the cement. For example, if you’re putting in a 4 in × 4 in (10 cm × 10 cm) post, your hole should be 12 inches (30 cm) in diameter.
Use post hole diggers to make your hole. Hold your post hole diggers so the handles are together and the jaws are open. Press the jaws into the ground and pull the handles apart to clamp the soil. Turn the diggers to cut out a circle, and lift the soil out of the ground. Continue digging the hole until you reach a depth equal to ⅓ of the post’s above-ground height plus 6 inches (15 cm). For example, if you want a 6 ft (1.8 m) post, your hole should be 30 inches (76 cm) deep. You need a solid foundation for your posts, so don't dig holes in muddy soil.
Layer gravel at the bottom of the hole to increase drainage. Wood will prematurely rot and metal will rust if it sits in water. To make sure your hole doesn’t hold water, fill it with 6 inches (15 cm) of gravel. Use a hoe to press the gravel down to pack it tight. Gravel can be purchased at any home and garden store.
Setting the Post
Put the post in the center of your hole. Set the end of the post on top of your gravel in the middle of the hole. Use a two-sided post level to check if your post is straight and plumb.
Mix fast-setting concrete in a wheelbarrow. Purchase a quick-setting concrete from your local hardware store. Pour the dry mix into a clean wheelbarrow and make a depression in the middle of the mix. Pour 3 US quarts (2.8 L) of water per 80 lb (36 kg) bag of concrete into the depression and mix it together with a hoe. Keep mixing the concrete until it has the consistency of a thick oatmeal and holds its shape when you squeeze it. Avoid adding extra water to your concrete mix since it will make it weaker. Wear rubber gloves before touching concrete so it doesn’t dry on your skin. Have someone help you lift the bag of concrete if you can’t do it by yourself.
Pour the concrete into the hole until it’s 2–3 in (5.1–7.6 cm) below ground level. Use a shovel or hoe to transfer your concrete into the hole. Make sure to evenly pour the concrete on all sides of your post so the hole fills in completely. Leave at least 2 inches (5.1 cm) between your cement and ground level so you can cover it later. Slope the concrete away from the post so it drains water better. If you can, have someone hold the post while you pour the concrete so your post doesn’t move around.
Check if your post is plumb using a level. Once your concrete is in the hole, use your two-sided post level to make sure your post is straight. Move and adjust the post if you need to until it sits plumb. Tamp the concrete again with the end of your hoe if you made any adjustments to the post. If you don’t have a two-sided level, use a straight level and switch between checking each side of the post.
Let the concrete set completely overnight. Although fast-setting concrete dries within 20 minutes, don’t put any weight or heavy loads on your post until the next day. That way, you can ensure that it stays plumb while it dries.Tip: If your post isn't level once the cement is dry, dig around the cement base and shift your post so it's level. Fill the area around the post with more concrete.
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