How to Put up a Fence That Stays Up

Proper building techniques are required to put up a fence that stays up. Post holes must be dug to the correct depth and soil must be firmly tamped around the posts. Well-designed braces are needed at the corners, as well, unless the fence is made of wood and the rails act as braces. Appropriate fasteners are required to firmly attach boards or wire to a fence. If wire is used, it must be stretched tightly before attaching to the posts.

Post hole digger
Shovel
Tamp bar
Gravel
Claw hammer

Instructions

- 1
  
  Dig post holes 3 feet deep and tamp soil firmly around the post.
  
  Dig post holes 3 feet deep and 8 feet apart. Use 4 by 4s, 6 by 6s or 6-inch-diameter round posts. Only use posts that have been pressure-treated with a wood preservative.
- 2
  Set the posts in the holes and put about 6 inches of gravel in the bottom to enhance drainage. Add two or three shovels of soil to the holes and then tamp until the soil is firm. Repeat this process until the holes are filled and are even with the ground line.
- 3
  Build two braces in each direction from the corners of wire fences. Install a post diagonally from the top of the corner post to the bottom of the adjacent post in the fence line. Double wrap a a 12-gauge smooth high tensile wire between the two posts in the opposite direction of the diagonal post. Build other braces in the same manner.
- 4
  
  Use the proper nails for building a wooden fence.
  
  Use aluminum or hot-dipped galvanized 8d nails to fasten wood to a fence and fence staples to fasten wire. Tighten wire with wire stretchers

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