Always thought a 4x4 corner post was overkill for a basic privacy fence

I did a job in Springfield last week where the soil was pure clay, and my usual 4x4s started leaning after a single heavy rain. Switched to 6x6 posts for the corners and gates, set them a full 36 inches deep with extra gravel. The difference in stability was huge, no wiggle at all. Anyone else run into soil that forced a bigger post than you planned?

2 comments

2 Comments

noahjenkins1d agoMost Upvoted

Saw my buddy try that, @the_riley, and his fence still fell.

the_riley1d ago

Ever try mixing your concrete a bit wetter for clay? I had a job where the clay just wouldn't drain, and a soupy mix let the concrete fill every pocket around the post. Paired that with a bigger hole and it was rock solid. Sometimes you just have to overbuild for that kind of ground.