Easiest Fastest Way to Set a Fence Post

Wrong

Concrete is pourous and will draw moisture out of the ground like a sponge , all that moisture is held against the post with nowhere to go , not to mention seasonal expansion and contraction in the wooden post itself that works to open a gap between the post and the concrete that also traps water

 

I have a question, I'm about to be doing a short section of fence myself. If concrete rots the wooden fence post and I don't want to pay for this fancy foam stuff, what's left? I already have the fence posts, they are 4x4 and 4 feet tall.

 

Good old fashioned stone. Pack it tight enough around the post and it won't move. Item 4 would work if you don't want to use concrete or this foam stuff.

 

This unless you have non-draining clay soil

 

Thanks, I was about to buy concrete but the crushed stone seems like a better idea. Now I just have to figure put how much I need, I, only setting7 posts.

 

If you get crushed stone that contains some fines it works best

 

Interesting stuff. I used a mix of 3/8" crushed stone combined with native dirt then hand-compacted like a sumbitch on my last project-



I have to tear out and redo a couple small sections of perimeter fence that I might consider this stuff for. I have to set 4x6 posts 3' deep to stand up to the wind around here, and compacting with that 6' tamping rod sucks balls.

 

I've never heard that concrete rots wood. That's ridiculous. When people talk about concrete most of the time they don't know what they are talking about. Concrete is a mixture of cement, sand, gravel & water. When CEMENT is mixed with water it creates a chemical reaction and cures hard. Sand and gravel are just put in as a filler to minimize the cement required. Cement is what is expensive. Concrete does not have moisture in it to rot wood. Concrete is porous and allows water to pass through that can eventually rot wood. If you use pressure treated wood it will last for years and years (I'm talking 30-40 years). Building code does not allow for structures to bury PT wood for the fact that it will eventually rot out but if you are building a fence then you are just fine. Also, as for installation most people pour in dry concrete for the posts. Level the post and tie them together with 2x4's to ensure they are all straight then go back with the water hose and wet the concrete.

 

I love the concept. Just replaced 2 fence posts last week for the first time. I didn't even know this thing existed until then:

 

Good point to clarify. He lives right down the road from me so I know what kind of soil he's got

And make sure you pack it in really, really well.

 

You're right , concrete doesn't rot wood , water does that , it's the concrete that holds the moisture ( originating from precipitation or moisture content in the soil ) against the post , causing rot

Pressure treated posts , whether CCA or ACQ can also fail , especially in concrete and I've seen them rot off here in 10 years

 

Sorry, yank a rotted post out, break off the concrete, what's underneath? Nice clean wood. Yeah water is the culprit, concrete is pourous, lets the water flow right past the wood. All the exposed wood at ground level and below the cement looks like shit.

 

Isn't that what I said ?

 

yeah
still on the rag...sorry

 

reviving this back up, but I noticed this is what the power company uses to set those huge azz power poles, I wondered what that stuff was coming from the top.

I called this guy when I found he was local, looks like I'm going to test it out pretty soon, when I start replacing concrete poles that the concrete all cracked apart on!

 

You can pour any concrete mix in and it will harden ground moisture or rain. Built an entire pole barn with dry concrete mix. Seems expensive and a pain to set up pour in the concrete level the post and go away. Looks like expandable foam to me. Most pressure treated posts have a 30 year ground contact guarantee any way who cares if they get wet.