Concrete & Sand

Concrete & Sand

To build a fence that’s long-lasting, you’ll need to set a solid foundation. That means using the right ratio of concrete and sand for fence post footings. Whether you’re putting up T-posts or a heavy-duty livestock pen, Tractor Supply offers plenty of mix options to help you break ground on the project.

The Right Mix to Support Your Fence

Concrete is a building material used most often for masonry projects, such as constructing or repairing brick and retaining walls, though you can use it as a pad for footing a fence post. It’s made of water, fine and crushed stone (often including gypsum) and sometimes gravel, with cement (usually a limestone and clay mixture) as a binder. Most concrete mixes include sand, which makes them easier to work with and more durable.

Types of Concrete and Sand Blends

Whether you’re raising a structure or just laying a walkway, you’ll want to get the right kind for the project. You can find several types to choose from, including:

• Standard concrete is for projects with a 2-inch minimum thickness such as sidewalks, steps and curbs. It has an average ratio of ingredients, is easy to work with and can set in anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes.
• High-strength concrete is for buildings and load-bearing structures. It has a higher cement content and tougher rock and is usually more than 6,000 PSI strength, making it more resilient and lower maintenance.
• Crack-resistant concrete is for laying patios and floors that call for a 2-inch minimum thickness. It has pre-blended ingredients of 4,000 PSI strength that include synthetic fibers for reinforcement, making it impact-resistant and protective against cracks and shrinkage. Using it shouldn’t call for wire mesh, which should make it easier to lay.
• Fast-setting concrete has 3,000 PSI strength, making it ideal for anchoring mailbox, lamp and fence posts. No mixing is needed, usually — just pour it into a post hole and add the recommended water. It can set in as few as 20 to 40 minutes.
• Sand/topping concrete is a pre-blended mix of cement and sand only, with a high-strength 5,000 PSI rating. You usually use it to level steps or floors or patch cracked or damaged concrete, which requires layering a 2-inch thickness or less.
• Ready-mix concrete is usually for larger jobs. It is often pre-mixed in a specific quantity and ratio, can incorporate sand or gravel and is usually only offered in bulk.

Frequently Asked Questions About Concrete and Sand

How much concrete do I need to foot a fence post?

That depends on how many posts you need to put up and the size of the holes you need to dig. The volume you may need is best calculated in cubic yards. Multiply the depth of the hole by its square footage. This will give you cubic footage. Multiply that by 27 — how many cubic feet there are in a cubic yard.

What other tools do I need to set a fence post in concrete?

• Protective gear such as safety glasses, a respirator, gloves, boots and hearing protection
• A bucket of water, a mortar hoe or shovel and a mixing trough or wheelbarrow
• A circular saw or miter saw to cut forms for wood and concrete
• A screed to level the concrete surface, a groover to control cracks, a float to remove groover marks and a hand trowel and concrete tamper or plate compactor for flattening, smoothing and finishing
• A paint brush, paint roller, paint sprayer or garden sprayer to apply sealer after the concrete cures

Get the Best Concrete and Sand for Your Construction Project at Tractor Supply

Before you put in a fence slab, be sure you have the right concrete and sand for the job. Your local Tractor Supply store and our website stock a wide selection of mixes to help brace your posts for a long time to come.