How To Install Metal T Post Fence
How to Install Contend Posts Using Metal Post Holders, Metposts or Post Spikes
In this DIY guide we will show you how to install argue posts using metal post holders (post spikes or Metposts as they are also known). You lot will learn how to correctly striking them into the ground or fix them to concrete surfaces and how to keep them level whilst doing and then and also how to repair broken fence posts using post repair spikes.
There are several ways to set up, anchor or back up fence posts which include using a metallic mail holder (or Metpost or postal service spike as they are too known), digging a hole and using concrete to secure the post, or mail ramming which is a chip like pile driving for fencing.
While the most common way to fix debate posts is to concrete them in and our project on fence posts shows how to do this, there are many occasions when concreting is not an choice.
For example when the neighbours' patio is correct on the purlieus, and you lot will have seen estate agents signs being put up using post holders.
For years Metpost or postal service spikes have been the biggest supplier of argue post holders, or post spikes, only now at that place is much more of a choice with other manufacturers producing similar products.
Argue Post Metal Spike
It might not even be a contend postal service y'all wish to secure, in that location are other areas where you lot would want to put upwards a post or timber upright, including posts for washing lines, garden arches or trellis, as well other garden structures such every bit a gazebo or pergola need posts or indeed many decking installations require posts secured into the ground for the deck to sit on.
Selection of metal mail holders
What Size Fence Spike practise I Need?
This plain depends on the size of your post and the height of your fence, or other structure.
The spiked argue post holders come in different sizes for different posts. You tin see a selection of different models to a higher place, some with built in fixing bolts (which nosotros prefer) and some which have holes for you to screw the mail to the holder, which are usually cheaper.
If you use the ones that need screws and then don't forget to gild plenty rustproof screws! We would advise using decking screws in this instance.
Fence post spikes can be bought for posts which are 50 x 50mm, 75 10 75mm or 100 x 100mm. They come in two lengths, 600mm and 750mm. The longer the spike the more secure the fixing will be for your post.
Exercise not utilise the shorter post holders for tall fences, they're just not up to teh task and as soon as they are subjected to any substantial wind they will likely neglect.
50x50mm Post Holders
This size would be suitable for putting up posts for trellis structures and then that climbing plants tin scramble upward them, this ways there is space for the roots to abound and you are non taking up sections of your bed or border with blocks of concrete.
It is also ideal for fixing signposts – again this is the size used by estate agents for their signs. Use the longer length in light sandy soils or for taller posts – higher than 4 feet (1.2M).
75x75mm Post Holders
This size would be suitable for fences in well-nigh conditions – except in actually exposed areas. It is also a proficient size for pergolas and washing lines. Again we would recommend that y'all use the longer 750 mm spikes in light sandy soils or for taller posts – higher than iv anxiety (1.2M).
100x100mm Postal service Holders
This size would be best for fences in exposed areas, long surface area of fencing, gazebos which will be supporting a roof and pergolas if you desire a more chunky-looking timber structure.
You can as well utilise this size to install upright timber structures into your garden to create unlike zones, and to add height and interest past breaking up planting areas (run into example beneath).
Using timber uprights to create structure in a garden – Image courtesy of Judi Samuel Garden Pattern
Using a Fence Post Holder Driving Block
Metal mail service holders and spikes solve the contend post problem in near ways. The metal spikes are simply driven into the basis with a sledge hammer or mallet simply it is actually advisable to put a driving cake into the contend mail service spike first (shown in the image below).
You push the fence spike into the footing as far as yous tin can by mitt, and then slot the driving block into the height of the fence spike and hit the top of the cake with the hammer or mallet.
Note: Remember to ensure that you go on the mail service holder totally level as yous drive information technology downward into the ground – more on this below
Option of metal post holder driving blocks
This allows you to hit the spike as firmly every bit you like without the risk of bending the sides of the post holder, which would forbid you slotting the postal service into the holder.
You could make your ain driving block by cut a curt length of contend postal service and using that as a block.
We would suggest yous drill a hole a couple of centimetres from the elevation of the block, all the manner through, and thread through some sturdy rope to brand a loop, or a piece of reinforcing bar (rebar) to act as a handle, like the one in the image below.
Home made argue post holder driving cake
The human activity of hitting the block can cause it to get a bit stuck in the holder – which is why the proprietary block has metal handles.
You will probably need to replace your block from time to time depending on the size of your project – the composite blocks are solid and withstand the pounding quite well whereas a timber block will start to deteriorate as you lot use it.
If you are making your own block it is vital the block you make is cut square so you get the spike in level.
Bang the postal service holder into the footing making sure you check with a spirit level that it is going in vertically and not at an angle. If the post holder is leaning merely one/ii an inch (12mm) at ground level it means the post will be 12 inches out at the top (30cm).
This is specially important if you are lining up a row of posts for a fence!
Metal fence post driven into the ground
Once the spike is driven into the ground, the driving tool can be removed and the postal service pushed into the holder.
There is a bolt on the side of the holder that tin be done upwards easily with a spanner to keep the post business firm in the fasten.
As yous tighten the bolt check with a spirt level that the post is upright – non leaning backwards or frontward, or to the right or left.
Using Metal Spike Post Holders – tightening the bolts to the fence postal service
Although this type of spiked post holder is great for contend posts in normal ground we would not recommend it for any type of fencing which puts lateral stress onto the posts.
Chain link fencing for example, puts a lot of stress on the posts every bit it is tightened and the postal service holders would not be secured strongly enough in the footing for this (more on this can be constitute in our projection on Chain Link Fencing).
Bolt Downwardly Fence Post Holder
If y'all want to put a fence post onto a patio for a summer business firm, gazebo or pergola there is a special bolt downward post holder available for this likewise. It is shown below and as yous can meet information technology sits apartment on the floor and is bolted or screwed downward in all four corners. The post holder comes predrilled with holes for this purpose.
Commodities downwardly fence postal service holder
This blazon of metallic fence post holder can be secured to concrete, rock e.yard. patios and terraces, timber (east.g. decks), or tarmac – such every bit a driveway where you lot might want to put upwardly a automobile port or porch. It is the fixings you lot chose that will make the best and most secure job.
What Fixings do I use with a Bolt Down Fence Mail Holder?
On a physical surface nosotros advise you bolt it downwardly using Rawl bolts (shown beneath) which are placed into holes drilled into the concrete and then tightened.
Rawl commodities used for securing commodities down debate post holders
Place your post holder in position and mark through the holes onto the surface below using a permanent marker or similar.
Drill the correct size holes for the bolts you're using and then position the post holder dorsum over the holes.
Drop your bolts into place and tighten using a socket wrench on the hex head of the anchor bolt. You can practice this by hand or using an electric screwdriver.
For more information on the other types of fixings bachelor, read our total guide to fixings here.
We too take a detailed guide covering the unlike types of nuts and bolts and how they should be used here.
With the rawl bolt, as the caput of the bolt is tightened the bottom sheath expands, gripping the concrete.
You can as well employ a chemical fixing to hold the post holder down (run into how here) with threaded bar studs that are set into the mounting surface.
This is probably the strongest method of fixing, peculiarly in concrete which has been mixed by hand and may contain air bubbling.
Bolting fence mail service holder down onto concrete surface
Getting Post Holders Level
It is worth noting that these post holders likewise demand to be level, so if you are fixing them to a base that has a slope or a dip and then y'all can insert washers beneath the post holder holes to line up minor disparities.
Withal if you need multiple washers to make the mail service holders line upward then you could also mix up a pocket-size batch of mortar to sit underneath the post holder and back up it more firmly.
For assist and information on mixing mortar, see our how to mix mortar project here.
When using mortar, put enough washers in identify beneath the post holder to become it level using a spirit level and then loosen up the bolts, add your bed of mortar and then tighten up the bolts to sit back down on the washers.
Bank check the level again, remove any excess mortar that will have squeezed out using a trowel and let to become off before plumbing equipment your posts.
It is worth noting that there will also be a small amount of "play" in the posts before you tighten up the screw on the side of the holder so brand sure your post is absolutely direct every bit you tighten, and cheque again once you have finished. You might discover a post level is a proficient investment to aid y'all with this.
Debate post level used for keep posts level during installation – Available from our online shop here
Concrete in Fence Mail service Holders
You can also purchase mail holders that are designed to be concreted in to the footing. They are made of steel and are extremely difficult-wearing and resistant to corrosion due to the fact they are dual coated – firstly zinc plated then pulverisation coated.
Concrete in metal fence post holders
This means that when you come to replace your contend, or other structure, in the future yous will non need to dig out physical footings or dig new holes.
More help can be institute on replacing fencing in our replacing a contend panel project hither.
Concrete-in argue mail service holders are designed for employ where soil atmospheric condition are unsuitable for drive-in spikes.
The "shoe" should exist set into a 450mm (18 inch) cube of concrete and then that the base plate sits affluent with the surface of the physical.
Don't forget to check it is level before allowing the physical to get off!
The argue post should only exist inserted one time the physical has cured.
The ii-pronged style is suitable for small projects, or larger projects if you too bolt it to the concrete (see "commodities down argue postal service holder&dsquo; above) and the iv-finned mode is more suited to heavy-duty projects.
See also "What Size Fence Spike do I need?" higher up and treat the iv-finned production as if information technology was the longer spike.
Fence Post Repair Spike
Nigh fences neglect when the fence posts break due to rot or insect impairment. If you accept a broken argue mail due to tempest impairment or rot, but nearly of the fencing is still intact you might desire to just repair the post using a repair spike like the ones beneath.
Fence post repair spike
There is no demand to remove the existing concrete or to add together more physical when you are using these spikes.
Saw off the broken or rotten fence post at ground level using a handsaw or reciprocating saw.
Hammer the repair spike into the earth in between the corner of the timber and the existing concrete – encounter how to do this in "Using a Fence Post Holder driving block" to a higher place.
The base of the mail service holder will sit down on the old concrete and y'all can then slot the contend mail service into the holder and tighten the holding screws.
If your physical cake is as well large to accommodate the spike in a higher place then you can become larger repair spikes (see below).
Bulldoze the fasten into the earth next to the physical, so the upright section sits flush against the postal service and the horizontal section sits flush with the ground.
You can practise this using a mallet, protecting the fasten using a piece of offcut timber on the peak of the spike.
Fix the fasten in place using rust proof screws (such every bit decking screws) through the pre-drilled holes.
Large fence post repair fasten
Source: https://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/metpost.htm
Posted by: raneyotion1985.blogspot.com
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