You can't see them. That's why bad installers cut corners on them.
Posts and footings sit below the ground, out of sight, holding up your entire Colorbond fence. Get them right and the fence stays straight for years. Get them wrong and you'll watch it lean, rattle and fail.
The steel panels get all the attention. The footings do all the work. Here's what you need to know.
What Are Posts and Footings?
- Posts: The vertical supports that hold the fence up.
- Footings: The holes dug in the ground, usually filled with concrete, that lock each post in place.
Together they carry the weight of the fence and resist wind, impact and ground movement. If they're weak, nothing else matters.
Why Footings Fail
Most leaning fences have the same causes:
- Holes dug too shallow to save time
- Too little concrete, or a poor mix
- Posts set crooked and never corrected
- Panels loaded before the concrete was ready
- Posts spaced too far apart for the height and conditions
- Ignoring the ground, such as soft, wet or reactive soil
- Water pooling around the post, which can wash out or weaken the base
A leaning fence isn't bad luck. It's a bad build.
What a Good Installation Looks Like
A professional doesn't guess. They plan the footings for your site.
- Check the ground. Hard, soft, rocky, sloping or wet conditions all change the approach.
- Set out the posts accurately along the correct boundary.
- Dig to a suitable depth for the fence height and site.
- Place posts plumb and in line.
- Pour proper concrete around each post.
- Let it set before loading the fence.
- Check alignment before fixing panels.
Want Posts That Stay Put?
Kirpa Constructions builds Colorbond fences from the ground up. Call 0494 513 922, email constructionkirpa@gmail.com or send us a message for a free quote.
Colorbond Fence Installation Details That Matter
When you review a quote, check for:
- Footing depth and concrete included
- Post spacing
- Post type and material
- Extra reinforcement at gates and corners
- Allowance for slopes and wind exposure
If a quote doesn't mention footings at all, ask why.
Gates and Corners Take the Heat
Gate posts carry heavy, repeated loads. Corner posts take pressure from two directions. Both need extra strength and careful installation.
Weak posts at gates cause sagging and dragging. Weak posts at corners cause the whole line to shift. Don't let your installer treat them like standard posts.
Melton Conditions Test Your Footings
Open sites and strong winds put extra load on solid fences. Ground in new estates can also contain fill, rubble and uneven levels. Rural areas can bring hard or rocky soil.
Good footings account for what's actually in your ground, not just a standard formula.
Questions to Ask Before You Sign
- How deep will the footings go on my site?
- What concrete will you use, and how much per post?
- How far apart will the posts be?
- How will you strengthen gate and corner posts?
- How will you handle hard ground or slopes?
- What guarantee do you give on workmanship?
Clear answers show experience. Vague answers show risk.
Quick Facts
- Footings and posts decide how long a fence stays straight
- Shallow holes and weak concrete are common causes of leaning
- Gates and corners need extra strength
- Concrete needs time to set properly
- Ground conditions change the right approach
FAQs
How deep should fence posts be?
It depends on fence height, ground conditions and design. Ask your installer to explain the depth planned for your site.
Why is my Colorbond fence leaning?
Common causes include shallow footings, weak concrete, wide post spacing, soft ground or wind loads. A site inspection will find the cause.
Can leaning posts be fixed?
Sometimes, depending on the cause and the extent. Call 0494 513 922 for an assessment.
Build From the Ground Up
Great panels on weak footings are a waste of money. Call Kirpa Constructions on 0494 513 922 and get a Colorbond fence built on solid foundations.
