Answers to Common Timber Fence Post Questions
Q1: How long do wooden fence posts last?
Treated wooden fence posts can last anywhere from 15 to 20 years with proper installation and maintenance. Tanalised (pressure-treated) posts resist decay and rot, extending their lifespan significantly compared to untreated wood.

Q2: How to install a fence post?
To install a fence post, dig a hole about one-third of the post’s length in depth, ensuring it’s wider at the base. Place the post in the hole, check for level, and backfill with concrete or gravel for stability. Allow the concrete to set before attaching fencing.

Q3: How to remove wooden fence posts?
To remove a wooden fence post, loosen the surrounding soil and detach any attached fencing. Using a lever or post puller, gently lift the post out of the ground. For posts set in concrete, breaking up the concrete around the base may be necessary.

Q4: How to maintain timber posts?
Maintaining timber posts involves regularly checking for damage, applying a water-resistant sealant, and keeping soil or mulch away from the post base. These steps help prevent moisture buildup and rot.

Q5: How to fix a fence panel to a wooden post?
Use weatherproof screws or galvanized nails to secure the panel to the post. Attach each corner to ensure stability and check the level before fastening fully.

Q6: How to stop wooden fence posts from rotting?
To prevent rot, apply a wood preservative and set posts in concrete or gravel to keep moisture at bay. Use a gravel base and ensure water drains away from the post.

Q7: How deep to set a wooden fence post?
For optimal stability, a wooden fence post should be buried at least one-third of its height, generally 2 to 3 feet deep, depending on the post height and soil type.