Freshly Dug Ground Settle Before Fencing?

[diy_darren]

Just removed 2 fairly large tree stumps and had to dig around an area of about 3.5m x 2m up to around 50cm down. Now they've gone I'd like to redo the fence and need to put 2 x 8ft concrete fencing posts in at the edge of the area I've just dug over. Is there anything I can do to speed up the settling of the area? Based on that, how long would you recommend I leave it before digging post holes (60cm depth) ?

Thanks!

 

[diy_darren]

Anyone care to hazard a guess here?

Otherwise I'll leave it a month or so and have a go. Will report back if posts fall flat in the first bit of wind we get!

 

[HERTS P&D]

Fill it with earth and water the area, (give it a good soaking) you should see the earth sink, then refill until height required.

Do this several times until no more sinkage.

Andy

 

[htgeng]

Just removed 2 fairly large tree stumps and had to dig around an area of about 3.5m x 2m up to around 50cm down. Now they've gone I'd like to redo the fence and need to put 2 x 8ft concrete fencing posts in at the edge of the area I've just dug over. Is there anything I can do to speed up the settling of the area? Based on that, how long would you recommend I leave it before digging post holes (60cm depth) ?

Thanks!

You need to get a footing into virgin untouched soil. If you set your posts into a 50cmx50cmx100cm deep cube of concrete they are unlikely to shift.

 

[HERTS P&D]

If you are using 6ft panels then you will also need a 6'' gravel board.
Thus making the post depth 18'' into the ground.(450mm)

The above goes for concrete or timber posts.

Andy