Concrete posts are a great way to secure your fence or other structure. However, you need to do some preparation before you can start putting them in place. The first step is to dig a hole in the ground. For a six-foot post, you will need a thirty-inch deep hole. This will provide a little extra room to anchor the post in the ground.
Once you’ve dug a hole, you need to level the surface before you fill the hole with concrete. You should also make sure that your post is plumb, or vertical. A spirit level will help you do this. If your post is not level, you may need to use another form to fix it.
To make your concrete post, you will need a few supplies. First, you will need a concrete mix. You can find this in the form of a 50-pound bag that you can use to pour into four 12-inch-wide holes. It is recommended that you follow the instructions on the package.
Next, you will need a two-by-four and a piece of plywood. These will be the forms for your post. Make sure that the plywood is at least twelve inches by ninety-six inches, and that the boards are evenly spaced. Also, you will need a pair of rust-resistant nails. Nails will help strengthen your concrete slabs.
When you are ready to pour the concrete, you will need a cement mixer. Wearing a dust mask and safety glasses will protect you from the dust. Another precaution is to wear nitrile gloves. While you are mixing the concrete, you should be careful not to add too much water. Too much water will weaken the concrete.
After you have mixed the concrete and poured it into the hole, you will need to wait a few hours for the concrete to cure. If you want to seal the gap between the post and the concrete, you can use high-quality exterior acrylic latex caulk.
Once your concrete is set, you can start to attach the ends of your posts to the brackets. The brackets should be placed at the same level as the post. You should also use a stake or a pole to hold the end post in place while you fill the concrete.
To make concrete fence posts, you will need to prepare a wooden post form. This is a form that you can reuse over and over. In order to assemble a post form, you will need to make several cuts. One method is to cut a twelve-inch by 96-inch sheet of plywood into a rectangular shape. Then, you will need to screw two one-and-a-half inch screws in each end of the form.
Once the end posts are in place, you will need to place rebar in the bottom of each post. Be sure to insert each rebar at an equal width. Using a carpenter’s level, check that the posts are in place.
You should then fill the hole with Quikrete Fast-Setting Concrete Mix, and make sure that the mix is evenly spread around the posts. Adding a gallon of water per fifty pounds of mix is recommended.