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- Thread starter wadc45
- Start date
THEWOOD;2316848; said:
It's BP, there is already a thread on it.
http://www.buckeyeplanet.com/forum/open-discussion-work-safe/620010-lawn-care-what-do-you-use.html
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Mac
That's a pain in the buns
I had one side of my fence blow down this past fall in a wind storm. I've got about 16' of fence to put back up. It was a double sided picket privacy fence (4 foot tall), but I ripped off the back side pickets to allow wind to pass through, and its easier for weed whacking, etc.
I plan on digging the holes at least 36" deep (looks like 36" is frost line here in central OH), setting 8' posts, then cut the tops of the posts once the fence is erected.
It looks like next weekend will be a good weekend to get my posts set. I am planning on 4 posts set in the 16' total length, with them at 5.33' OC apart. Now my question is, concrete, gravel fill, or compacted dirt to fill the holes? I've read different opinions on the subject.
I plan on digging the holes at least 36" deep (looks like 36" is frost line here in central OH), setting 8' posts, then cut the tops of the posts once the fence is erected.
It looks like next weekend will be a good weekend to get my posts set. I am planning on 4 posts set in the 16' total length, with them at 5.33' OC apart. Now my question is, concrete, gravel fill, or compacted dirt to fill the holes? I've read different opinions on the subject.
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Zippercat
Legend
Mac;2330662; said:
You need strength so the posts won't blow over in high winds? For a post to be moved by the wind--assuming the post itself is not weak enough to bend or break--the materials holding it must compress, right? Which of your material choices has highest compression factor?
Concrete it is.
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BUCKYLE
Washed
Concrete all day. Just make sure you dig straight down then bell shape the hole at the bottom. I feel sorry for anyone that ever has to remove a post I set. I've put up plenty of wood fence in my day. You can use six foot posts for 4' fence. Use sand and gravel with Portland cement. 4:1 ratio. Mix well, then add water. Use less water, fill belled out portion ofof 36" deep hole with a less wet mix, set six foot post on top then fill with concrete. Level up and let set for at least 24 hrs. Just make sure you leave enough post over four feet to cut, if you don't feel comfortable sighting posts.
The only fence I've ever used tamped earth for was split rail. Gravel...used it once at Hayden Falls, despite my objections. I actually used my own money to buy a bit of quickcrete to go into the holes. Was still holding last time I was there
The only fence I've ever used tamped earth for was split rail. Gravel...used it once at Hayden Falls, despite my objections. I actually used my own money to buy a bit of quickcrete to go into the holes. Was still holding last time I was there
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Mac;2330662; said:
Echo was everyone is saying - always use Concrete when you're setting a post for a fence. Make that bitch as permanent as you can.
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A before and after of sorts:
Tree service came out in late March and removed the tree.
This past week my wife and I removed the 2/3 of the deck that they built out to the tree. We removed a few tons of stray bricks, flat rocks, pavers and pea gravel that was in the area as well. Removed the two bushes that were in front of the air conditioner, and also removed three bushes and a two smaller trees that were growing along the back fence (not pictured). Also removed: five planter boxes that the previous owners put in because they deluded themselves into thinking they were organic gardeners.
Still plenty of work to do though. First and foremost, we need to get a tiller back there to break up the soil where they had those planter boxes. At the moment there are five raised beds of dirt where the boxes used to be. We also need to get the concrete patio fixed so that it slopes away from the foundation so we can take that stupid corrugated metal roof down and replace it with something better. Also, there was one post from the part of the deck that we tore out that I wasn't able to get out of the ground. The geniuses who put it in dug between three criss-crossing tree roots near the trunk, widened the hole beneath those roots, and back filled with concrete. The size of the area where I can actually dig to get at it is about the diameter of the barrel of a baseball bat. I'm gonna have to find a way to cut those roots out before I can even get at the post.
Tree service came out in late March and removed the tree.
This past week my wife and I removed the 2/3 of the deck that they built out to the tree. We removed a few tons of stray bricks, flat rocks, pavers and pea gravel that was in the area as well. Removed the two bushes that were in front of the air conditioner, and also removed three bushes and a two smaller trees that were growing along the back fence (not pictured). Also removed: five planter boxes that the previous owners put in because they deluded themselves into thinking they were organic gardeners.
Still plenty of work to do though. First and foremost, we need to get a tiller back there to break up the soil where they had those planter boxes. At the moment there are five raised beds of dirt where the boxes used to be. We also need to get the concrete patio fixed so that it slopes away from the foundation so we can take that stupid corrugated metal roof down and replace it with something better. Also, there was one post from the part of the deck that we tore out that I wasn't able to get out of the ground. The geniuses who put it in dug between three criss-crossing tree roots near the trunk, widened the hole beneath those roots, and back filled with concrete. The size of the area where I can actually dig to get at it is about the diameter of the barrel of a baseball bat. I'm gonna have to find a way to cut those roots out before I can even get at the post.
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Mac;2342249; said:
For now - plant some grass. I know we're a little late for that, but I'm fine with spotty results the summer and re-seeding in the fall.
We also need to move some earth around - we have some drainage problems on the low end of the yard (on the right) that used to be compounded by all the stuff we cleared out, including the aforementioned "organic garden".
Part of the goal was to reclaim some back yard for when we have kids. I wanted to have enough yard where you could play catch, kick a soccer ball around or play some wiffle ball. I think this gets us there, so I'm happy so far.
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