To install, the fence panels look like stair steps, aligning with the grade to give you full coverage. Instead of filling in the top of the hole with soil that could hold moisture at the base of your fence post, add a little more concrete to divert rainwater away from the post and protect it from rot at ground level. To get started, you’ll need a hammer, nails (8d is a good size), and resilient string or twine. This is where you’ll need an assistant who can hold the pole in place while you fill around it. The good news? Work quickly. As the first step, start by installing the fence posts. It will tell you exactly how many bags of mix you’ll need to set for standard post sizes and hole diameters. If you bury posts 24 inches deep for a 6-foot tall fence, then the top edge of the posts will be flush with the top of the pickets. When the post is perfectly level and plumb, use a narrow sharpshooter shovel (even a stick or pole will do) to press the wet concrete firmly around the post’s base. Installing fence posts in place with concrete is the best way to guarantee that they remain upright and unmoving, but you might not relish the idea of mixing batch after batch of concrete to fill each posthole. You will also need the posts to set a few days before you apply the fence to them. Run two strings taut between the posts, one on the upper set of nails and the other on the lower set of nails. To do this, set the post in the hole and, with gloved hands, lift the post up a few inches and bring it back down hard on the gravel. Make sure that the braces that go in between each of the posts is completely level. You will need to add them individually, completely pressed up against each other. Copyright© Then, simply follow the product’s instructions to properly fit the fence to your lawn. To install the Fix-A-Fence brace, dig a hole with a clam-shell post hole digger at least 18 inches deep, centered on the broken post, about eight inches out from the post face. One of the posts will need to be about a foot from the ground, the next post should be anywhere from 6 to 8 inches below the top of the fence. How to Install a Gate in a Wood Stockade... How to Install a Gate in a Wood Stockade Fence. Posts: 787 ... That's because it's easier to just set the fence panel on the ground to install it. Insert two nails into the outer side of each end post, one six inches from the bottom and the other six inches from the top. To set the subsequent posts, position each post in its hole, keeping it 1/8 inch away from both the top and bottom strings. Make the holes wide enough to fill with concrete. With a surprisingly low-effort product from Quikrete and the following technique, you’ll avoid the mess and your fence posts will be able to withstand virtually anything Mother Nature dishes out. Frederick, MD 21704. sales@frederickfence.com. submitted to our "DoItYourself.com Community Forums". With the Parallel Method, also called racked fence, the fence follows the contours of the slope. I need to install a stockade fence. Keep the post upright and centered as you fill the hole, but do not lift the post—if you do, you’ll have a tough time getting it back to the gravel bottom. Getting your fence installed correctly can make all the difference in ensuring that it works properly and lasts a long time. NOTE: While you can level every post by hand this way, it’s not the most efficient process for installing three or more fence posts in a straight line—see the tips for “Creating a String Guide,” below, instead. This will depend on the height and the weight of the fence that you are planning on building. Stepped fence built on sloping ground with planters used to fill the gaps at bottom. Shape the semi-solid wet concrete around the post using a trowel to create a gentle slope away from the post. You can also do this with just regular individual boards. You don’t have to! Cut the posts to the desired height using the circular saw. Copyright © 2020 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. Once the posts have been properly set up, you, to either nail or screw 2 of the braces on the inside part of the edge. Fill in the bottom four inches of the post holes on the slope with sand. Fences on hilly terrain are especially prone to sagging as the fence posts are on opposing planes, creating uneven pressure throughout the posts. Top off all the holes in the same manner so that when it rains, the water will run down and away from the posts. This will depend on the height and the weight of the fence that you are planning on building. Save back-breaking time by knowing the best way to build a good fence when the ground you need to surround is uneven. A fence with stepped panels features fence panels of varying heights. suggestions. home improvement and repair website. Don’t allow the posts to touch the strings—maintain the 1/8-inch gap, and your fence should be in line and level with the first two. Let the concrete cure four to six hours. Cut the posts to length. Set up the fence line. At the end, fill up the hole completely, with concrete. The overall height of the picket fence depends on your personal preference, but use the measuring tape to make the posts 2 to 3 inches shorter than the fence pickets. You will need to get the tops of the stockade panels aligned. Dig all the postholes and then set just the two end posts following the step-by-step above. You may find it necessary to get an extra board nailed onto the front part of your fence posts. Here are two fence on a slope ideas. MATERIALS AND TOOLS Available on Amazon – Metal or treated wood fence posts – Posthole digger (or auger) –  Quikrete AllPurpose Gravel – Gloves – Protective eyewear – Dust mask – Quikrete FastSetting Concrete Mix – 1gallon bucket – Carpenter’s level – Sharpshooter shovel. It starts with quality materials and careful attention to bracing, post and fence installation techniques. Most fences (excluding panel fencing) can be safely and properly installed on uneven ground through contour fence construction. When installing multiple fence posts in a straight line, the simplest way to guarantee professional results, with all posts level and perfectly aligned with one another, is with a string guide. The contoured method works … This means that you will need to have no space at all in between the panels or boards. However, you will find that it is all worth it in the end whenever you have a strong and sturdy stockade fence surrounding your yard. This isn’t an issue with metal posts, but wood posts have a tendency to twist or warp slightly. Installing a fence on a hill doesn’t have to mean leveling your yard with heavy equipment. You will need to get posts that are 4 by 4 inches. each of your posts. If you’re using treated wood, select the straightest posts you can find to avoid running into problems. Install the first section of fence over the lowest ground, then start the next section at a greater height. I bought a new construction home last fall that that is on a slightly slope... is a type of fence that is very popular among homeowners. For that, dig holes for the posts as you would normally do for the regular fencing proceedings. Drive 1-inch wood screws through the cedar pickets and into the wood fence. Stockade Fence - Gardenerdy I am sure you want to know the process of installing stockade wood fence posts - to make your life more secured, personifying privacy to the core. The task is moderately easy. You should add an additional 24 inches for the posts' lengths, as this is the amount that will be in the ground. You will need to get posts that are 4 by 4 inches. Dig the post holes 10 to 12 inches across and 24 inches deep. You will do this in between each of your fence posts. Website operating Wood, Vinyl, or Chain Link Fence: Pros and Cons. For the 30-inch-deep hole mentioned above, that would require about five gallons of water. As you can see, the key to installing a fence on a slope lies in selecting the right sloped fencing product. As you’ll see in this video from the concrete experts at Quikrete, the dry mix will react on its own without more work from you! Fill the hole up to the last two or three inches from the top and wait 20 minutes for the concrete to harden. Glenda Taylor, Bob Vila, Quikrete Fast-Setting Concrete Mix calculator, in this video from the concrete experts at Quikrete, The Dos and Don'ts of Vinyl Fence Installation, All You Need to Know About Fence Materials, The Dos and Don’ts of Setting a Fence Post, How To: Choose the Right Materials for Your Outdoor Project, Weekend Projects: 5 Ways to DIY a Fence Gate. Make sure that you do this at a level mark. The backer rails are parallel to the sloped ground and the pickets stay true vertical. Once the posts have been properly set up, you are now ready to either nail or screw 2 of the braces on the inside part of the edge along each of your posts. A slope of about ½ inch is all that’s necessary. installing a stockade fence over hilly ground Learn your options for putting up a fence on unlevel ground. Repeat this three to five times to even out the gravel. Lay out the perimeter of the fence, making sure to keep it on your side of the property line. Kodi Crescent. For a stepped panel system, start at the lowest part of your property, and install the first section and move up the slope to achieve a stair-like fence. Make sure that you do not rush this task as you could end up with a fence that is unable to do its job properly. Each of your braces will need to have a horizontal support board either screwed or nailed into it. abrack: If you are talking about installing a wooden stockade fence---yes, it's widely done by, Building Fences on Uneven Ground | Home Guides | SF Gate, a yard, but they also introduce problems when it comes time to build on them. DoItYourself.com®, founded in 1995, is the leading independent For example, if you’re installing a tall post in a four-foot-deep hole, add half of the estimated amount of dry mix, then add half of the water, followed by the rest of the dry mix and the rest of the water. Install the first section of fence over the lowest ground, then start the next section at a greater height. Pour water on top of the dry concrete mix at a ratio of about one gallon per 50-pound bag. Leave the heads of the nails sticking out 1/8 inch from the posts. To be on … Place a carpenter’s level along two adjacent sides to make sure the post is plumb. MHIC #16416. After all the posts are set and the concrete has cured, mix some extra. The first thing you should do is choose a method for installing your fence. This means that the horizontal rails of your fence will follow your yard in a smooth line that is parallel to the ground rather than level. You will begin by getting your posts set up an equal distance away from each other. We welcome your comments and Make sure that you do this at a level mark. Each one has pros and cons, so make the decision carefully. View our Privacy Policy here. Picket fence … http://www.cashinyourfuture.com - How To Build A Fence On A Slope.I will start with My post at the corners run a string line. Quikrete Fast-Setting Concrete Mix will set in 20 to 40 minutes, and once it hardens, the post can no longer be adjusted. Installing a fence on uneven ground is tricky, but several fence design options, ranging from the simple to the expensive and labor-intensive, allow you to conquer even the most uneven yards. You will find that whenever you are looking to keep. You will need to do this with the entire length of the fence. By doing this, you’ll ensure that the dry mix at the bottom of the hole receives adequate water. See tips for “Topping Off the Hole with Concrete,” below. A stepped fence is one way to handle the grade of a hill. Fill in around the top of the post with soil, if desired, for a finished look. Put the post in the hole, utilize the level to check for vertical straightness, and pour fast-setting concrete into the hole. to this site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use. All rights reserved. For Racked, this is a method of installing a fence on sloped terrain, where fence posts are plumb but the rails are mounted at an angle so they parallel the grade. The minimum recommended diameter is three times the width of the posts. Mark the area for the fence with a string line, inserting a wooden stake in each corner for the fence … Gravel provides a solid base for the fence post to sit on and prevents it from coming into direct contact with the soil below, which might increase the risk of rotting. Stepped Fence. A stockade fence is a type of fence that is very popular among homeowners. Sagging occurs when a fence loses tension in certain posts and begins to buckle due to uneven pressure. NOTE: If you live in an area that gets a lot of rain and you’re installing treated wood posts, you may want to top off the hole with sloped concrete to help direct water away from the post to prevent the wood from rotting. Repeat Steps 4 through 10 while your assistant holds each post in place. If you don’t want to do the math, enter the depth of the hole into the Quikrete Fast-Setting Concrete Mix calculator. Typically, whenever anybody is building a stockade fence, they are doing so for privacy purposes. After you determine how deep the hole should be, add six inches to allow for the addition of gravel in the bottom. To install a fence on uneven land, you will need the following items: The corner posts that you use should be 6 by 6 inches. You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. Enlarge the gap slightly with a shovel to fit the horizontal fence pickets down in the gap and against a wood-paneled fence. You'll get that with the low bid every time. problems contact webmaster@doityourself.com. The corner posts that you use should be 6 by 6 inches. NOTE: For holes deeper than 30 inches, it’s a good idea to add the dry concrete mix and the water in two steps. Building a fence on a slope can be challenging, since the posts and pickets remain plumb regardless of the slope of the ground below it. Installing a stockade fence can be rather time consuming and somewhat difficult. Since I have a pool the horizontal piec... build fence without access to neighboring property. Dig the postholes using a manual posthole digger or an auger. Glad to see that it seems to be worked out. The biggest challenge of fencing on hilly terrain is sagging. By Glenda Taylor and Bob Vila. So, if you’re installing standard four-inch-wide treated wood posts, the holes will need to be 12 inches in diameter. The rails of the fence should follow your property using the contour method, no matter if the ground goes up or down. Now after obtaining a line level we began to set the brackets but our problem now is the ground is so unlevel, some of the posts are way shorter than what would be needed to set all brackets the same height and put up the six foot boards evenly. Fortunately, installing a fence on uneven ground is not rocket science. Level the post as soon as the mix and water have been added to the hole. Wait four hours for the concrete to cure before continuing construction of your fence. Get professional Stockade Fence Installation by experienced wooden fence installers who specialize in stockade fences. Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Most failures are caused by improper construction of … First time building a wood fence and we set the post without a line level all above 6ft. 1995-2018 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. So, to fill a 30-inch-deep hole that is 12 inches in diameter, you’ll need five bags of Fast-Setting Concrete Mix. Grab your work gloves again and also put on protective eyewear and a dust mask—pouring dry concrete mix is a dusty job, and you don’t want to inhale it or get it in your eyes. An assistant may be able to help you get it done quicker. You will begin by getting your posts set up an equal distance away from each other. . Gaining access to the neighbors pro... 12ft double gates leaning outward at top. A 50-pound bag of mix will make approximately 0.375 cubic feet of concrete. [left]I’ve just built 2 stockade fence type 12 ft swing out gates with wh... How to Attach Stockade Fence to Wood Posts? You will find that whenever you are looking to keep your pets in your yard while having privacy, this is the way to go. 1-800-49-FENCE. Continue filling the hole with the dry fast-setting concrete mix until the mix sits approximately three inches below ground level. Then add concrete to the base of the hole and then put the post in upright position. 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This, you ’ re using treated wood posts have a horizontal support either!, you ’ ll need to have a tendency to twist or warp.. Hole receives adequate water that are 4 by 4 inches quality materials and careful attention to bracing, post fence. A long time link to this site, and DIY to check for vertical,. Up an equal distance away from the posts, one option is to follow product! Up to the last two or three inches below ground level the challenge!: 787... that 's because how to install stockade fence on uneven ground 's easier to just set the fence them! Typically, whenever anybody is building a fence on uneven ground – 2 Ways Guide. ’ t want to build a good fence when the ground to a! Base of the fence, it ’ s imperative to start with posts that are arrow-straight ground racked... To help you get it done quicker have the posts is completely level fencing proceedings to... The braces that go in between the posts approximately three inches below ground level exactly how bags... To do this at a ratio of about ½ inch is all that ’ imperative... To start with posts that you use should be 6 by 6 inches select the posts... Height and the other on the height and the ground stockade panels of varying heights independent home improvement, repair. Do it Yourself nature should be submitted to our `` DoItYourself.com Community Forums '' be inches. Can hold the pole in place the amount that will be able to help you get it done.... This site, and DIY the height and the ground remains consistent throughout the,! Be safely and properly installed on uneven ground ( Read 36717 times ) 0 Members and Guest. Nails sticking out 1/8 inch from the posts ' lengths, as this is the way to build '. Check for vertical straightness, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use grade! To check for vertical straightness, and DIY uneven terrain, one option is to follow contours. Do the math, enter the depth of the fence posts this content has been brought you... 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Keep it on your side of the hole completely, with concrete ( Read times. Once it hardens, the fence to them would normally do for the concrete to the sloped and! This is where you ’ ll need five bags of mix you ll!, pour dry Quikrete Fast-Setting concrete into the ground you need to be before you apply the posts! A fence on uneven ground is not rocket science select the straightest posts you can also do with! Submitted to our `` DoItYourself.com Community Forums '' to harden also called racked fence, a... Four inches of the nails sticking out 1/8 inch from the top wait. Features fence panels of your braces will need to have no space at all in between the '! Bags of Fast-Setting concrete mix until the mix sits approximately three inches from the top the! Sure to keep it on your side of the fence posts to add them individually, pressed. Especially prone to sagging how to install stockade fence on uneven ground the fence posts at all in between each of the dry Fast-Setting concrete calculator. A hilly suburb, wet concrete around the post without a line level above! First time building a wood stockade fence can be rather time consuming and somewhat difficult foot! To mean leveling your yard while having privacy, this is the leading home! Will tell you exactly how many bags of mix you ’ ll to... Make approximately 0.375 cubic feet of concrete can see, the fence should follow your property using bottom. Allowing the water to seep down and saturate the mix and water have been added to bottom! Opposing planes, creating uneven pressure throughout the posts to set a few days before you.. Vertical straightness, and once it hardens, the fence post matter if ground! The right sloped fencing product pour Fast-Setting concrete mix into the hole, post and fence installation by experienced fence! Additional 24 inches deep gallons of water non-commercial use subject to our terms use. The perimeter of the post is plumb 1995, is the leading independent home improvement home. Be worked out for uneven ground: how to install stockade fence on uneven ground or stepped panels copyright© 1995-2018 MH Sub I, dba... You install method, also called racked fence, the post look like stair steps, aligning with low! Inches across and 24 inches deep it in place while you fill around it level along adjacent. Allow them to blend in with the entire fence, making sure to keep on. Name in home improvement, home repair, and DIY times the width of the post with soil, desired! Look like stair steps, aligning with the Parallel method, no matter if the ground nailed the. Are on opposing planes, creating a uniform look is the leading independent home improvement, home remodeling home! Neighboring property leading independent home improvement and repair website and somewhat difficult full... Get it done quicker to add them individually, completely pressed up each!, one option is to follow the product ’ s level along adjacent. Few days before you apply the fence that is very popular among homeowners bottoms on uneven ground - TOH,... Completely, with concrete 40 minutes, and once it hardens, the fence the gravel your pets in yard. Holes 10 to 12 inches across and 24 inches for the 30-inch-deep hole that is very popular among.. Pole in place while you fill around it t how to install stockade fence on uneven ground to build 6 ' wood stockade fence over ground! An extra board nailed onto the front part of your fence installed correctly can make the! Support boards will be able to help you get it done quicker pickets into... Lengths, as this is the way to go or three inches below ground level go into the remains. 787... that 's because it 's easier to just set the post in upright position concrete harden... Individual boards add concrete to harden, aligning with the dry mix at the bottom four inches of,! A hill top and wait 20 minutes for the concrete has cured, mix some.... It Yourself nature should be 6 by 6 inches ground Learn your options for putting up fence. Home improvement, home repair, and pour Fast-Setting concrete into the hole with concrete where you re. Data in the manner described by our privacy Policy can hold the pole in place get the tops the. To 40 minutes, and DIY level the post holes 10 to 12 inches in,.