When you are planning your next fencing project, you are going to need to use a fence post driver to help get the posts down into the ground successfully. However, if you’ve never used a post driver before, you could find yourself in a position that you would rather not be in. You could end up having to replace fence posts, or have problems getting your fence panels secured to the posts properly. To avoid these situations, you will want to take a look at a few of the tips we’ve listed below, that come from experience from using different fence post drivers and finding ourselves in the same spot.

Tip 1) Let The Weight Of The Fence Post Driver Sink The Posts – When you are using a fence post driver, you are going to be tempted to put your weight, and extra power into driving the posts. This is a common occurence because you are going to have the urge to get through the job quicker. However, what you will end up doing is damaging the top of the posts, making it hard for you to attach the fence panels properly, or even have to replace the posts, costing you more money.

Tip 2) Dig A Pilot Hole To Make Sinking Them Easier – One way that you can make your job easier is to start by digging pilot holes where the fence posts will be located.  This would be easy with the kind of driveway that isn’t paved, like a decomposed granite driveway.  These pilot holes will keep the fence posts in an upright position, and allow you to use more leverage from the driver, in order to sink them faster. You can use a post hole digger for the pilot holes, to make your job even easier. If you don’t have access to a hole digger, a simple shovel, and a 6″ deep pilot hole works just as well.

Tip 3) Mark The Post Layout And Soak The Ground To Allow For Easier Driving – While you are laying out the fence, take the time to mark where the posts are being placed with brightly colored spray paint. The day before you begin putting the fence in place, take a garden hose and soak the areas where you are going to place the holes. To ensure you have an easier time, repeat this process a few times throughout the day, and allow the water to soak into the ground. This will make driving the posts incredibly easy.