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Gate Posts

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AndyD:
Not sure if there is a limit on how far off topic is permitted but here goes...
Looking to fit aluminium gates to the drive for security / privacy and having spoken to a few specialist companies am thinking of doing most of it myself instead - none inspired any confidence!

I've been trying to find out some at least rough ideas on what is needed for concreting posts into the ground to support the gates.

Thinking about the enormous range of careers / specialities / experience / ingenuity displayed on the forum I thought maybe someone has some knowledge they could share?
Cheers,
Andy

Skoti:
Andy,

you need to sink your gate posts at least 70cm, so if possible dig a hole up to a metre deep. It's better to use a post hole digger which makes a tidier hole and costs you less on concrete, I bought one from Screwfix (but not the auger type).

I also used a long pinch bar and hammer to loosen the soil as I got the hole deeper, making it easier to extract with the post hole digger.

Chuck a handful of coarse gravel into the hole first for drainage, then a bed of concrete (use a very dry mix).

Position your post (with post level attached, Screwfix again) and then add concrete, a shovelful at a time. I used a length of timber to compact the dry concrete mix around the post, and kept checking the post level as I filled up the hole.

I'm not a professional but this has worked for me and stood the test of time, but maybe some one who knows better will be along shortly...

Good luck.

Skoti

AndyD:
Thanks Skoti,
Sounds hopeful - I was getting a bit concerned that Googling turned up lots of advice for enormous foundations with reinforcement etc.
I hope that using the lighter aluminium gates would help keep weight down and reduce need for excessive digging.
Cheers,
Andy

Skoti:
Andy,

it might also be useful to mention that I used 150mm dia galvanised steel posts into holes that were approx 30-40cm dia.

Hope this helps.

Bryanj:
Depends on how big the gates are, large heavy ones wòuld need a deeper buried post. I sank concrete fence posts 2 ft for a 6ft fence

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