How do I align steel posts to be even?
by
Faddu
+15
I am building a privacy fence with posts installed in cement with steel holder things. This is my first time attempting this. I already installed one (shown in pic). It didn’t go in straight, it’s kinda at an angle. How can I ensure the other post holder goes in evenly so my pieces of wood that will be nailed into the posts is straight and not crooked? Adding a pic of what I am trying to do.
You need to place a level on the side of the post after you set it in the cement and adjust it to be straight.
Can you provide a pic of what you did? What the bracket looks like? Are the posts wood? Fence posts should be place in the ground below the frost line or at least two feet in the ground with concrete. I assume you created a concrete footing and mounted a bracket while the concrete was still wet, I think!
Totally forgot to add the pics I took lol. This is in our patio so there are no utilities here. I am not putting these in the ground. As you can see, I already placed the right side bracket. I have to make sure the left side lines up with the right so when I add the wood posts and then the panels, everything is straight and even. I hope that makes sense.
Hello Faddu, this is a great informative video, hope it helps you out,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4H-BnFcwgg
If you are doing this by yourself, it will difficult to keep level until it sets. You can put in a 5 gallon bucket of ready mix until it sets. Then dig a hole, place the dried concrete with the post in the ground, level up (place a level on each side), then tamp dirt in place.
If this is a straight fence the easiest way to align fence posts is to use a laser level.
Yes make sure the 2X4 is as straight as possible. Good luck and your welcome
Faddu,
You don't need to be so precise. One thing you can try is to loosen the nuts on the bracket you installed already, try to twist it with the post in it, and retighten the nuts. You may need to have someone help you. To square up the other bracket, use your rafter square placed against the brick wall at the same distance set back from the front of the concrete as the other bracket, draw a line and use it as a reference to install the other bracket. Don't worry about the post being slightly out of alignment. You won't really notice it much once you've installed the slats.
The spacing of fence posts depends on the length of the fence, the posts should be spaced evenly. For example, if the fence is 30 feet long space the fence posts six feet apart if the fence is 40 feet in length space the posts eight feet apart.Dig hole put dry cement in the hole. Then put the post in. Position and then add water from hose, do not make it soupy. No need to mix. you can use tent stakes to keep straight until dry.
Folks,
Please read through the entire conversation thread and review photos before commenting. The posts in this question are not going in the ground.