Serious question, how deep do you actually set posts for a 6 foot privacy fence?

Had a guy from a local lumber yard chew me out last week because I was only going 30 inches deep with gravel base. He said I should be going 36 minimum with concrete all the way up. I've been doing 30 for years in this Texas clay soil and never had a leaner. But now I'm second guessing myself. For a standard 6 foot board on board privacy fence, what depth are you guys actually setting your posts?

3 comments

3 Comments

jackson.max4d ago

Man shoot I've been setting mine 24 inches in Georgia red clay for 15 years and never had a problem either.

margaretc423d ago

Double down on what @jackson.max said with a tighter spacing just be careful you dont hit a big rock. I set mine at 18 inches but I add more rebar down the middle for extra grip and it holds up fine even in the wet seasons. That clay really does grab tight once it settles so a deeper hole just means more digging for no reason.

kimblack3d agoMost Upvoted

Used to think deeper was always better but after dealing with Texas clay myself I see why 30 inches works. @margaretc42 makes a solid point about that clay grabbing tight once it settles, all that extra concrete just makes future repairs a nightmare. Honestly your method sounds like it's proven itself so stick with what works.