How to Anchor Aluminum Railing Posts

Examine local regulations on the installation of railings and fencing. These may specify the height of the railings and type of materials. Obtain the written consent of neighbors for the installation if the position of the railings is close to their property.

Locate underground utility lines, drains and sewers. Hire a professional surveyor to find these lines if you do not have any ground plans.

Sketch a plan of the posts’ positions. The posts should support each end of the railing panels. Mark out the position of the posts on the ground with the wooden stakes.

Dig a hole at each post position that has a diameter three times that of the aluminum posts. The depth of the hole should be in the proportion of 2 feet for a 6-foot length post, that is, half the length that extends above ground. Place the post inside the hole and ensure that it is plumb. Enlist a helper to hold the post upright.

Shovel crushed gravel into the hole in four- to five-inch sections by depth. Use the tamper to compact the gravel. Pack the crushed gravel to half the depth of the hole. Check that the post remains plumb.

Fill the hole with concrete leaving a space of four inches below the ground surface. Allow the concrete to dry for at least five days. Fill the remainder of the hole with topsoil. This provides a basis for grass or other vegetation around the railings.