Wet, Dry, Or Foam - Which Method Is Best To Set A Fence Post?

If you are attempting to set a fence post or similar post, you have many options in finding the best way for a good hold. You will need to figure out what soil and environment you are working with, how secure of a hold you need for your project, what your labor abilities are, and your budget. Some methods require more moisture in the environment to be effective, and some save you difficult labor but will cost you more money. YouTuber SWI Fence explores these three options and shares which method he finds the best: Using wet concrete to set.

According to the video, wet concrete involves purchasing concrete bags, adding water, mixing, and pouring the concrete mixture into the hole in the ground. When the wet concrete sets, it creates a very secure hold on the fence post. The video also shows how to dry pack and use foam. To dry pack concrete, you gradually pour the mix into the hole, taking time to carefully pack the concrete down. Over time, and with water present in the soil from rain or the environment, the concrete will solidify without the mixing labor of wet concrete. 

Foam is also an effective way to install a fence post without cement. For the foam method, you will follow the directions on the bag, which typically means breaking a seal to allow chemicals to interact, shaking the bag a bit, and depositing it into the hole. The foam will expand and solidify, creating a solid hold on the fence post.

Wet cement is good for dry soils, holding posts for a long time, and being friendly on your budget, at around $4 per bag. However, the process of mixing wet cement is laborious, and you will need to carefully measure how much water to add in order for the correct consistency. Wet concrete takes around 28 days to fully cure, so if you can handle the labor and want a strong hold in loose soil, this is your best bet. 

If you have moist soil, consider dry packing. The process is easier because it avoids mixing, but it does involve some effort when packing the dry mix down. If your soil is too dry, the hold will not be great, but if you get a lot of rain or moisture, it should create a nice hold over time. If you are looking to avoid tough labor and you have a bigger budget, consider using foam to set your post. It costs about $16 per bag and creates a secure hold that fully cures in about 15 minutes.

Once you have decided which method to use, there are some tips that can improve your results. Double check that your fence post material is durable and stylish because it will be up for a long time. Make sure your hole is deep enough, and in cold climates, adjust for the frost line in your area. Finally, if you have wet soil, consider using gravel to prevent fence posts from rotting.