Setting fence posts in shallow soil
MarkFratoni
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
Looking for thoughts on how to set wood fence posts in a yard with ledge beneath the top soil. I have yet to dig a hole in my yard without hitting ledge. The deepest I have been able to dig is 18″. Will be building a wood privacy fence with several gates.
FYI
– The ledge is relatively soft; slate-like.
– Likely building material: cedar 5×5 posts with 1×6 6′ pickets.
Thanks in advance!
Replies
Core drill?
Believe me, I hear you. My property is ALL limestone ledge, easily measured by the 80 foot cliff on the edge. I haven't come up with a solution to the fence problem yet, but I'm starting to believe drilling is the only option other than a very wide base for posts at the corners and using stretched wire as a support.
I'm thinking of drilling 3/4 inch holes and inserting the heavy steel rods that HD sells in the concrete section. Then I would drill the posts to slide over the rods. Darn lot of work, but I think there's no easy way. At least it's limestone. In my previous location it was granite and I didn't even consider it.
Thick rebar epoxied into the hole in the stone as well as up into the post along with a post mount at the base would be how I’ve anchored stair rail posts. That to resist lateral force of a couple hundred lbs. Fence with gates and or wind load against it......? Beats me.
Best of luck.
You're going to have to drill it yourself or find someone who will. I suppose if you dug a 24" square X 18" deep hole for each post and poured it with concrete the posts would stay straight but with cedar, you'd be replacing the posts in 10 years or less. I'd check with a fence company and see what they say.