So your best bet would probably be to dig the postholes, then set the posts on top of flat rocks or pads of poured concrete in the bottom of the holes. Then backfill in against the posts with crushed gravel, tamping every 6-inch "lift" as it is poured into place.
Yes, you can set fence posts in wet ground.
Installing a fence can be challenging in these areas because when the rain stops and the water dries, the soil will still not really be ideal for holding the concrete.
Yes you can! Fences may be installed in just about any weather with the exception of rain. In extremely cold temperatures (32 degrees and below) you can add calcium chloride to your concrete mixture.
Can Fence Posts Be Set in Dirt? Yes, they can. It seems too simple a solution; however, if you follow the correct process, you can set your fence posts straight into the dirt. You start by digging the hole.
The depth of the hole should be 1/3-1/2 the post height above ground (i.e., a 6-foot tall fence would require a hole depth of at least 2 feet). Add about 6 inches of QUIKRETE All-Purpose Gravel into the bottom of the hole. Then compact and level the gravel using a post or 2x4.
To properly set wood posts in wet ground, you need to use concrete and pressure-treated wood. There must be enough depth to penetrate below the frost line, and adequate back-fill for drainage. Done right, posts will last for years in any kind of soil.
You will also want to cover the holes with something to keep water out. If your holes fill with water, they are more likely to collapse and you will not be able to pass a footing inspection while water is in the bottom of the hole. You can use plywood or tarps, some people have even used garbage can lids.
With just the addition of water and with no mixing required; Postcrete sets in 10 minutes and comes in handy 20kg weatherproof, tear resistant plastic bags.
Set posts on a 6-inch base of ¾-inch crushed stone to encourage drainage. Then fill around posts with the soil from the holes, minus the topsoil, and packs it down every 6 inches. In sandy soil, mix in gravel so that it will pack more firmly. In clay soil, which doesn't drain well, pack only gravel around posts.
1 – 4 bags of concrete per fence post are typically what's needed. This depends on the type of soil, fence design, height, post size and bag weight. In general the depth of the post's hole needs to be 1/3 to 1/2 of the above ground height of the post.
Most fence post holes will need between 1 - 4 bags of concrete to securely hold the post in place. The best way to determine the size of the hole is: Diameter of the hole is 3 times the width of the fence post. Depth of the hole is one-third to half the above ground height of the fence post.
Most fence posts can be spaced 8 to 12 feet apart. While this is a general criteria, it doesn't cover all scenarios. For instance, high tensile fence can have larger spacing, requiring line posts every 15 to 20 feet for field fence styles, and as much as 20-30 feet for high tensile barbed and smooth wire.
With pressure-treated posts, the rot will be slow. We have three ways to solve the rotten post problem. First, the posts should be set on top of a bed of coarse gravel 3 to 6 inches deep, so the base of the post is in contact with the gravel. Concrete should be poured around the post - no concrete under the post.
Pea gravel is commonly used for fence post holes. Gravel that is roughly three eighths of an inch in size is generally a good medium between drainage and support, though gravel close to that size also may be used. If you want to use the best gravel for your area, you may want to consult a contractor.
Water makes wood swell. And the problem with using damp, swollen lumber for the frame of your house is that the lumber will eventually shrink back towards it normal size after the house is complete and the heating and cooling systems have run for a few months.
Can I screw into wet wood? It is not recommended to screw into wet wood as it is softer, and the screws may not make the necessary markings. Screwing into wet wood can also damage it as you try to tighten the screw.
The answer is dimensional stability and it is one of the main reasons wood must be dried. Wood begins to shrink in width, and thickness when the moisture content starts to get below 30%. The amount of shrinkage varies by species.