When installing a fence (six feet high panels, four eight foot panels), do you recommend putting the posts in concrete or do the metal stakes work as well?
Answer:
As long as you're sure there'll be at leasst a couple of feet of un-compacted snow around them in winter, you should have no problems with the spikes but if you'll be clearing away the snow, the posts should go below the frost line and they should be set in concrete up to grade level. On my patio, which is often cleared of snow, I set the post 4.5' deep, filled around it with the excavated clay for the lowest 2.5' and then poured in a bag of pre-mix dry (produced for the purpose). I then soaked it well with the garden hose and it hasn't heaved for 6 or 7 years now. This is a 4" metal pipe holding a 10'X10' patio umberella.
In the interests of retaining credibility and in fairness to all, I cannot recommend prices, people nor companies for various projects. Courtesy of Ren Molnar, Construction Consultant at HomeFocus.com. I can also be reached at (613) 748-3003 and Home Focus – The Radio Show is broadcast live 8 to 10 A.M. (Ottawa, Ont. time) on Saturdays on www.cfra.com.
Remember, even if you don’t do your own work around the house have to hire someone, you put yourself at a great advantage when you can intelligently discuss a project with the various trades people.
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