Fence Expert Reacts to Unique Post Setting Technique

Setting fence posts is a big debate in the fence industry and honestly any industry that requires setting wood posts into the ground. In this video we're going to react and review a really interesting video about a very unique post setting method and if it would fly in the fence industry!
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[@danpendergrass7762]

My grandfather installed hundreds of miles of chain-link fence while a contractor for Sears and other fence sellers. These were residential fences in a rural setting. He, more often than not, installed the fences with a cement curb, (a 5 to 6 inch cement mini-wall). I always thought it was to prevent unwanted critters. But to this day those fence post remain (70+ years) on the most part. many of the fences have been replaced but the original post remain. I do remember helping him as a child and he did put a slope on the surface to prevent pooling. I also remember he said he made more money on the fences he did this way. I know they have lasted a life time, I am 67 and many still remain to this day.

[@tomhernandez1308]

Dan could you describe this technique a little more? What is the cement curb like?does it run along the fence line, or surround each post? Is it a preformed tube? I've seen those in my own yard, one is in place surrounding a sewer access plug running along the pipe going outside the house. It sticks up about 8 inches, higher than you describe. I could see this stabilizing the gravel inside the perimeter, and the soil outside the perimeter of the post, but beyond drainage and settling advantages I'm not seeing how that would significantly lengthen the post's life.

[@keithstiltner3539]

Gosh damn how old are you working for SEARS lol

[@ernestdiaz2645]

You were saying you've never seen a post rot from the bottom up you must not have done very many fences I made a lot of money by replacing post when I replace them I throw a couple shovel fools of gravel put the post down pour the concrete

[@karen-gq4zd]

I've lived here for 30 years. Two homes across the street have that cement base. One fence is wood, one is chainlink, both are in great shape still, and some fences without the concrete around it are falling down.

[@karlburmeister1552]

@@keithstiltner3539 I'm 55 and I used to work for Sears. They used to sell damn near everything. The Amazon of its day.

[@GrowingLittleCountryhomestead]

Been in construction for 20 years and moved a lot of fence post, I’ve never been able to just pull the post out of the concrete.

[@dk2614]

I've done it on older posts set poorly in concrete. I put a couple deck screws on each side of the 4X4 that goes in concrete. Walmanized lumber would shrink once dry....

[@mesanders1113]

I've had a few dozen post pull right out of the concrete by hand and the concrete was not cracked. The post typically had a consistent 1/16 gap around them between the concrete and post. I wasn't able to put a new post into the concrete. I attribute it to the post shrinking and installed in wet conditions.

[@drillbitist]

SEE IT ALL THE TIME

[@michaelbuddy]

@@mesanders1113 yeah but how hold was it and why were you pulling the post out of the ground. To replace an old fence right?

[@squarenailco1747]

Put in wet, it dries ,shrinks and if smooth enough, it will pull out. Couple chunks out of the edges will solve the problem at no cost.

[@kylep644]

Putting roofing tar on the bottom of the post to prevent water rot works very well also...

[@toplel1860]

That's how I do it too lol

[@user-zw7rq8ys9h]

I helped a construction crew put some fence in at the Jacksonville Zoo when they opened up their Jaguar exhibit and they had me wrap tar paper around the part that was going to be in concrete

[@RamiJashari-oe4lu]

You never use tubes for a fence. Second you never have concrete above grade only for fence build. Now the reason why. First concrete should be below lever with the ground, when you install the boards, in the winter it will hit the concrete and that’s when you get a V slope on top. Your fence will not be level, it will be 2-3 inches off. Second no matter what you do, water will still end up getting into the wood and between the concrete. Been doing fencing for now 21 years, I have gone back to the first job we did and we see no difference in the post. We try all the methods. The out come is the same, except when we added 3/4 crush or lime stone, we saw the post lift up higher then normal. My option is dig your hole, set you post. And leave it simple. This is for climates that have winters. I can’t say how it is for warm weather all year long. Two different methods, for two different climates.

[@MessianicJudaism]

I like the idea of a 3" concert pillar giving that extra support. And when I use my John Deere weed eater, the line hits the concrete and not damaging the wooden post.

[@daverawe265]

@@JoeEverest I like the idea of raised concrete because it looks clean. Where I am in Ontario Canada the frost line is about 3 1/2', if the post is above that and the cement is crowned above the frost will heave the post out. Usually for a crowned post the post would have to be 4' in the ground; good for decks. For fences I prefer to go with a 3 1/2' hole and bring the cement to 6" below the surface. This way the frost locks the post down and doesn't pop the post.

[@robthesamplist]

If done correctly I think it looks smart too, you can always paint it to look less obtrusive. Be interesting to see how a normally set post rots over time compared to he pillar one but that video would take over 5 years at least to see any comparative result. As a fence builder I would not like to do this on every post it would put hours on every job.

[@wolfiesara]

I'm in Southern Ontario, and the ground here is all clay. The wooden posts in our neighborhood that have concrete below ground level rot and have to be replaced after about 10-15 years unless there is really good drainage away from them. All of our concrete on the fence posts is above the ground level and after 22 years, only one has heaved. That one wasn't put in deep enough, because we hit a rock too big to dig out just short of the frost line depth. It was only 3 inches shy of the frost line. You really have to know exactly what what the frost line depth is for your area, or hedge on the side of caution and make the post holes deeper.

[@williamgrimberg2510]

Put in 30 sections of fence in June with tubes and concrete but pre casted with post above ground and dropped post in holes then back filled and compacted . Then filled 3 inch deep by 6 inch wide trench under length of fence with smooth pebbles to allow for drainage. None of the fence touches any earth to avoid rot . Also added small rocks at the bottom of tubes ( about 3 inches)before setting in posts with screws in tubes then concrete. This all takes a little longer but this fence will be solid for years to come . Client loves the look too .

[@whitneyranchproductions4637]

I couldn't tolerate the 3" gap under my fence boards.

[@barbmelle3136]

From Leo: I have pulled a row of rotten posts out of concrete. After I cleaned the hole, I set new pressure treated posts into the concrete with a sledge hammer. The old posts had been installed 40 years earlier and I am sure they were not originally treated. I did that in 1997 and the fence is still solid

[@greatskytrollantidrama4473]

You sir are Epic

[@williamgrissom9022]

I did too. The easiest were ones which were totally rotten where I could pull the old wood out by hand. Some were rotted at ground level, but not deeper where the wood stayed wet. It is the region with both water and oxygen where it rots. Some I had to drill and pry to get all the wood out. By re-using the concrete, no concerns with the neighbors over shifting the property lines. I did have to shave a little width some of the new posts with a circular saw to get them to fit. I added a short section of paper tube to add concrete slightly above the ground most places. To bond to the old concrete, I wet it then coated with a thick Portland cement - water mixture for better bonding.

[@Clawson_customs]

I have used my backhoe to pull alot of posts and the cement around it has always pulled out with it

[@firghteningtruth7173]

@@JoeEverest I have seen a couple like the guy described...as a surveyor whos seen THOUSANDS of posts, from cedar, to exotic metal. Ive only EVER seen it happen to wood (like from home depot) posts. Never cedar, never cl posts (chainlink)...never metal. And Ive seen rot...especially in fences where they are along a wet spot or swampy spot. Hes not WRONG...hes just over-engineering. He should literally just use cl posts and brackets for a wood fence. Simple.

[@garychandler4296]

@@firghteningtruth7173 I've pulled my fair share of posts set in cement and I'd say maybe 1/3 of them you could bust the 'crete away with a few blows of a sledge, most are fairly well attached. They still serve their function, beingg trapped in by dirt and 'crete. Supporting a roof load though, requires mainly a solid footing UNDER the post, as any bad attachment could sink the post through.

[@firghteningtruth7173]

@@garychandler4296 have you seen the foam concrete hes tested on this channel? He shows the foam shrinks when it sets...so it loses contact with the ground and the post. The post wobbles in the foamcrete and the foamcrete wobbles in the ground. Well with many wood fence posts the former happens. Im not sure why...pehaps installed in extremely high humidity or after it rains. I mean, you can tell me how many posts youve pulled. But who set them, and when? As a JOB, I have to find property pins. They are usually right next the fence posts (this depends...but, theyre usually close on most of the rear pins unless its a larger property or had a recessed fence)...I have to JUMP these fences all the time. When I say Ive seen newer (like within the last couple days to years) posts that end up being loose in the concrete...believe me...its because Ive not tested the fence first by shaking it, and have almost killed myself (sketchy rock hill behind) when it was loose. As you can imagine, if you are trying to high point your jump, and at the last second the fence moves, it throws off your leverage and all sorts of bad things can happen. Im not telling you your fenceposts that you pull arent set right. Im saying, it happens.

[@garychandler4296]

@@firghteningtruth7173I was referring to old posts; I never had to pull my own. Good to I know about the shrinking foam! Now I won't be suckered into trying it. As I said, some of them pull out of the cement, but most pull the whole block out with it. I'm in Georgia, red clay country. Had the same fence jumping surprise as you, more than once!

[@codycombs3600]

If you took your shirt off you would look like Burt Kriesher

[@josepheilerman4000]

Hey Joe-I love your show. I’ve followed you lately as I’m making modifications to my vinyl fence. I used a hi-lift Jack to remove 2 5x5 vinyl posts set in concrete. The 1st post had a huge amount of concrete in its hole and the post was filled with concrete. After hours of jacking/digging/chipping, I heard a squeaking sound and pulled the post out of the concrete!

[@FireflyHill24]

Hey Joe when we set treated 4x4 fence post we fill the hole pea gravel or any inexpensive washed stone instead of concrete. Most of the time treated post are extremely wet when new. When putting concrete around the post sometimes they become loose as the post dries out. If you fill the hole with pea gravel as the post shrinks the pea gravel will remain tight around the post and offer good drainage and prevent post rot. It also makes replacing the pole in the future easier

[@tomhernandez1308]

interesting. I can see the mechanical drainage and future removal advantages, but hard to see how it will be a strong set for taller posts (6 ft or more). I suppose if you make the hole deeper that helps. In my region and particular yard, wind gusts seem amplified when they occur, so there will often be swaying forces that can be quite strong, especially with the fence sections acting as "sails".

[@FireflyHill24]

@@tomhernandez1308 I’ll never use concrete again when doing a fence. I always use a piece of rebar to tamp the pea gravel down.

[@uncletiggermclaren7592]

@@FireflyHill24 That is interesting. What soil type is it ? Wouldn't work in my area because the whole large suburb used to be the sea-bed 25 million years ago, and the land is clay layers with tuftra volcanic ash layers and then more clay. As you packed the gravel in the hole, it would just squeeze into the clay, and you could keep that up forever, the clay is never tight or pack-able. My backyard is about 3 feet of clay then 20 feet of volcanic ash then more clay under that. Put some posts in for a new fence recently, had to go down to sit on the tuftra and put a thick pad under the post, and the hole about a foot square full of concrete. We know we have to do that, because the prevailing winds otherwise simply slowly push any smaller, higher fixtures over in the clay, like a crow bar levering.

[@markd5067]

I agree with you about the concrete bonding to the wood post surface. I've removed a number of old 4x4 fence posts out of the ground that were set in concrete in a couple of the homes we owned. Without exception, every post had bonded tightly to the concrete they were set in.

[@tyjones5019]

I beg to differ. I run a fence company and our SOP is to jack the old posts out of the ground unless they're too rotten and snap off. About 25% of them "slip" the concrete, and brother, I've done literally thousands! We hate it when that happens but it's not too uncommon.

[@trevorlambert4226]

I think the important point is that there doesn't need to be much lift-out resistance. Lateral resistance is the important thing. Just the gravity of the post and fence is probably plenty to keep it in the hole, even if you greased the post before setting it in the concrete.

[@Nttt739]

85%will bond some won't. Best practice srew nail anything

[@mccartneystuart]

Not a professional fence installer but have worked construction all my life. I install my posts at home the same way this guy has done. It lasts so much longer letting the concrete be exposed a few inches above ground level. I just paint the concrete similar to the fence stain color.

[@1pcfred]

What rots wood is when mud splashes up onto the wood. You need two things for rot, water and air. Them little rot monsters need to breathe too.

[@elslick]

I used concrete pigment In either a green or similar color to the fence wood/stain color.

[@godw1ll99]

good point but there is a solution to that. you can just put the footings above grade or you can treat the post. the vast majority of the time when a post for a deck or a fence or whatever rots it is always the parts above ground that rot out first. oddly enough the part that is in the ground lasts the longest. people think they are protecting the post by surrounding it with concrete but the only purpose of the concrete is to provide a solid foundation not to protect the post. concrete absolutely does not keep out moisture. in fact the very process of putting the post in the concrete is you soaking the post in a wet concrete bath... every time it rains the post gets wet and the moisture gets absorbed in to the wood and wicked right in to the part of the post that is in the concrete as well not to mention the concrete itself will absorbed the rain and transfer it to the post.

[@toplel1860]

I usually just install the post with a thick sealer on the section that touches concrete

[@chrisw5742]

@@toplel1860 Or you could just use concrete posts all the way up. :-P

[@87Rado]

I built fences for years back in the PNW. Best post technique I've used, was a concrete post designed by my father back in the 70's. Although the boards needed replacing about 5 yrs ago, the post from first fence built with them is still standing 45 years later.

[@jhgktyg]

@68gto sounds intriguing, could you elaborate on your fathers concrete fence post design.

[@Cotronixco]

Concrete post??

[@garychandler4296]

I've built near 50 decks and my method has always been to fill the hole (no tubes) with rock below the post for drainage, and concrete about an inch above ground level with it troweled to slope downward on all 4 sides, and trowel a neat edge around the base. You get drainage, it doesn't look bad, and is low enough to cover if the customer just hates the exposed stuff, but the other advantage of these is you can mow right up to the post; no weedeater necessary! You could also use dye to match your posts, house trim, grass, or whatever.

[@joem2745]

Had no idea chipmunks knew so much about post setting.

[@terenceherming1838]

Would you rather wait forever for him to finish, I wouldn't.

[@Tracker7266]

LMAO !

[@BradfordStokes]

Theodore. Just don't let Alvin help.

[@ndothan]

Chip and Dale done grew up

[@sidewinder814u]

@@ndothan what do male dancer's ha to do with this? a friend of mine was wondering.

[@tracymckelvey5676]

Here in South Carolina as a fence contractor i have seen post come up leaving the concrete in the ground however that usually is due to it being an old fence or poorly mixed concrete. It is not a common problem here but it has happened

[@learls1]

If you decide to use lower cost material in your fence posts you can buy a bucket of roofing tar that sales from anywhere between $20 and $40 for a 5-gallon bucket or use creosote to treat the pole against damage and rot.

[@bigk4755]

Creosote treated fence posts have been banned by the EPA since it is a known human carcinogen.

[@spideyphd]

Growing up on a farm, we tried to make every dollar stretch. We'd collect the dirty oil from tractors and trucks in large barrels then soak the end of the wooden post that would be in the ground in that oil. Not perfect but the posts would last 2-3 times longer than untreated posts.

[@michaelraykinney]

Good video and good knowledge I will add working for a fence company we have had issues in the past were a post didn’t bond correctly to a concrete and slips out but that was operator failure due to the concrete not being mixed correctly and not being wet enough to bond to the metal post and pulled up

[@stevem6711]

I had a pole barn installed with 6x6 treated. The solution to soil contact was a plastic sleeve about 3 feet in length that slid over each post with about 4" exposed above ground. As mentioned in the video, the few inches at and below ground level is where rot starts. Each hole was about 3 feet deep and a concrete disk about 4" thick was placed at the bottom of each hole for support.

[@lostpony4885]

Concrete under the post ensures water will stay in the post and rot it.

[@herefishyfishy6907]

We use asphalt sealant to dip the end of the post up to the ground line.

[@dingle5115]

I've been searching KZbin to see if anyone recommended dipping bottoms . I always do .

[@cdrive5757]

That's a great tip. Thanks!!

[@algreen5559]

I have used old engine oil.

[@adrianryan1975]

@@algreen5559 I've heard of one fencing co. that had to remove fence and surrounding earth by environmental enforcement to the tune of $40,000 because they said they poisoned the ground after treating wooden post with a mix of sump oil and diesel. Poor guy. The cost of the fence was only $8000

[@hollickrichard]

@@dingle5115 on my grandfathers small farm waste oil went in s open top oil drum and fence posts spent at least a year in that before use.

[@rcampbell4967]

I put a wood fence around the backyard of my first house some 25 years ago. It's still standing and the door hasn't sagged a bit. It was in 4' ground freeze zone so I dug the holes 5 feet, used a 4 foot sonnet tube installed flush with grade which left a 1 foot ball / anchor of concrete at the bottom of the peir.

[@boltonky]

Interesting video, i have over the years dealt with both rotten bottoms or near and a few instances where you can pull wood direct from concrete. Most of the time it has been down to poor concrete adhesion when using builders mix + concrete which allowed seemed to allow more air gaps for moisture and water to collect, considering how porous concrete is amazed doesn't happen more. Either way i have learnt a lot , thanks

[@daleon96]

I generally just dome the top of concrete at the base....helps water run of also.....

[@hindesite]

Same, good enough and looks way better.

[@leigh6113]

Agree totally, its the quickest and easiest way no doubt in my mind, although i must say i do like the look of the exposed formed concrete

[@whowhat4450]

A much better method saves cost of the form tube and lesser trip hazard

[@erniemenard7727]

Doming the concrete around galv. posts makes them last longer also. Although, to be honest, I can't recall (although it seems I must have) ever seeing a galv. Schd 40 post corroded so far that it breaks off. And I've seen some pretty old ones over the years.

[@johnhanselman6371]

Having a dome is better than having a pressure treated post rot due to being in contact with soil. Soil eventually rots pressure treated posts. The posts that I had exposed to soil rotted at the soil after about 8 years (with only about 4 inches of soil on the post). The posts that were not exposed because I had a concrete dome did not rot.

[@colinstace1758]

I have set posts with a 50-50 mix of dry concrete and soil, tamped in well with a 6ft crow bar/tamper it sets up in a week or so, being porous the rain filters down through the soil/concrete mix and dries out in summer, but then again in Australia we used cypress posts 👍😊

[@1pcfred]

Porous may not be such a good idea in some climates. Rot happens with water and air. I've dug wood out of the ground that was in wet clay for decades. Stuff looked like the day it went in there. That's because it was sealed like it was in a can. No air no rot. There's anaerobic bacteria but I don't know if that rots wood.

[@rustyvessel5086]

Mixing concrete with soil would make it brittle and susceptible to breaking off in sections defeating the purpose of the concrete

[@BlackwoodPro33]

Good post, it makes sense. A similar method I've used for a fence is to pre-seal the base and top of the posts and to attach cedar shingles to each side of the post soaked in oil the wider part sticking out just above the concrete (for easy removal ). After the concrete is cured the shingles are removed. The voids created are then sealed with silicone caulk. After twenty years the posts are as solid as the day the were installed.

[@aarongriffin6326]

i love how unbiased you are about things!

[@JoeEverest]

I try my best!

[@jacobc1567]

I work with engineers and all the tips that were being reacted to are what I see in structural details all the time.

[@chris-vj5wu]

I’m a party chief for a land surveying company and that’s exactly how we set monuments.not that high but same principle.

[@goldprounlimited1750]

I think the reason you see a gap between the post and concrete is because the wood shrinks over time as it dries out.

[@staceyrybka602]

I see you rockin the country jail look

[@Cotronixco]

And concrete shrinks as it cures.

[@dumbitdownson1257]

I don't know about a 3" cap, but when I put my fence up 25 yrs ago, the concrete was poured 1.5" up at the post, sloped to grade at hole edge. Still standing strong with no significant base rot. Recent ice storm tested it with a limb. Few panels to replace, 1 2x4, posts still good.

[@1833marine]

i think it's a Great idea. wish i had seen this before i set posts, when rebuilding my fence.

[@patriotjames1076]

I have only been asked a few times but I have used dye for my posts. Normally to match there surroundings. It works extremely well.

[@kellyq21]

How do you dye the posts?

[@kalebbrown8130]

It all depends on the soil on what’s best. I’ve replaced three pressure treated post that rot at the soil line. Other post were fine. The rotted post had dirt around them. The others had shale (blue rock) as a drive way. It’s the tiny bugs that need oxygen. That’s why it’s at the soil line. All we’re set in concrete. I like adding a little gravel at the bottom for drainage cuz I live in clay soil country. And clay will form tiny canyon like river trails over time. (More of an issue with slab work. I once did a dog run for myself packing the post in with dirt and Little Rock’s maybe. Packing every couple inches. I moved out. The next owner built major stuff on top of my posts. It’s been years and still looking good. Other parts of the world find it odd we use concrete. It acts like a sponge holding moisture. I’ve used the foam but am not such a fan. I like to slope the concrete above soil, then paint it brown to seal the exposed concrete, then seal the joint at post to concrete with silicone or polyurethane caulk. And use 20$ black emulsion sealer (Henry’s) on the post and 6” above soil. (Poor man’s rot block)But… some clients don’t wanna see any concrete. So… burn the wood at the bottom sho Sugi ban style? Add motor oil. Copper green, duct tape lol. If u want longevity, use metal posts. Or masonry. Everything has its pros and cons. If want stability with foam. Use fiber rebar stabbed into the earth to act like tree roots. Or if surround is concrete side walk your fine. Foam is a wedge. Concrete is an anchor. Dig deeper and pack in 2” increments of dirt. Why not. Over time fire burns, the earth shakes. Shitty builders give job security for future workers. I hate shitty builds, and take pride in my work. Sono tubes great, if money n time is fine with it. But then might as well add post anchors for when your drunk uncle backs his ford into your fence. Switching out the post is easier. But get a long one so the wind won’t dance with your fence. All over kill. Hydraulic pushing of posts into ground. That’s cool. If you encapsulate the bottom of post don’t do the bottom edge. Cuz then you’ll make a cup and the moisture can’t escape. But it’s the bugs that make the rot at soil line. Not the moisture so much alone. Best tip not mentioned. Paint to seal exposed concrete to lessen moisture entrapment. And silicone the joint where it meets the wood. Over time that joint will open. Tiny but enough for water to do its thing. Burning it a little will deter the bugs…I think.

[@akalksander9184]

I agree w/ your assessment. Concrete expands & would add a gripping force on the post. Plus there's no upward pulling force on the post to pull it out of the concrete. There's a new method using foam to set those posts in & it's not as strong concrete but it works.

[@blaster-zy7xx]

have done the extension of the concrete out of the ground for my deck piers. Works great, but instead of sloping the top surface of the pier in one direction, I just put more concrete on the form and slope the top surfaces down away from the post, making a bit of a cone.

[@scottmitchell8549]

I found if I use new wet wood posts, these posts slowly dry out and shrink, which leaves a small gap around the wood and concrete. This allows water infiltration and speeds up the rotting process.

[@jesusacevedo2005]

Catalyst 663 is right about customers wanting no gaps under the fence, also for the 3in concrete reveal and angle for water to run off, why not just dome the concrete so water runs away from post in all directions.

[@williamgrimberg2510]

Did that with the last fence but just above grade plus had fence sections a couple of inches from the ground and filled with decorative landscape pebbles. None of the fence is in contact with soil so as to avoid rotting. Looks good too .

[@NoahDevine91]

Rewatching your older videos, totally agree joe in our area anyways no need to add gravel under the posts and when cemented correctly and as long as nobody wiggles the posts while setting they should not pull out. Same for use the wooden post almost always rot at or just below grade. We combat that with post saver sleeves great product with excellent warranty.

[@JoeEverest]

Couldn’t agree more, PostSavers are a great product!

[@hellcat1988]

I would say having the concrete above grade has 3 advantages. 1,Water shedding. I have seen a post rot to the point where it broke free and you could see that it had rotted all the way down the concrete anchor. 2,Damage protection. From string trimmers, to edgers, to mowers, to snow shovels, to plows, I have seen the bottom of posts eaten away, bit by bit, by regular yardwork until the treated outer layers of wood were eaten away and the virgin wood was exposed, leading to rot. Getting the exposed post above grade helps prevent that damage. 3,less chance of landscaping causing rot. I have seen people put flower beds, landscaping rock structures, lawn clippings, and various other things right up to the bottom of a fence, or even against it, which has lead to conditions that allow prolonged moisture in the area, rotting the fence and posts. Getting the posts above grade can, at least a little, help prevent people from causing their own premature fence and post failure.

[@nathanliebespeck8088]

We use sono tubes when replacing broken fence posts. Sometimes removing the old concrete leaves a hole way oversized. Couldn't tell you how many times I dug out a busted gate Post that looked like somebody used eight bags of concrete on. The tube forms help with that problem, but they also allow us to use a very predictable amount of concrete. This allows us to be much more accurate in our estimates. Before using the sonotubes, we would have to fill the hole back in compacting as we went and then re-dig a more appropriate sized hole for a post.

[@toplel1860]

Hmm good point😂 🤔

[@xisotopex]

stupid question, but, the tube stays in the ground with the concrete, correct? if the hole is way too big, just backfill around the tube with the fencepost in it? backfill just with soil, or would it help to use small chunks of concrete as part of the backfill?

[@EthanPDobbins]

8 bags of concrete is the lazy mans way to fill the hole and make it more betterer

[@scottvincent7666]

Several times I’ve seen concrete way above ground level on pole barns. Helps prevent cow, chicken and horse shit and piss from soaking in post.

[@kirksway1]

that's a damn good idea. I had never thought of that

[@jakeMTSU]

@@kirksway1 also seen an ankle broke on one.. but we have also done this with horse barns. never on shops or a fence tho

[@albertbatfinder5240]

In Australia, every back yard used to have a Hills Hoist (a metal rotary clothes line) and I remember that many hoists would rust through at the bottom. Why? Because every back yard used to have a free-running dog (and his doggy friends) who would lift their doggy rear legs on the hoist. Dog pee is a powerful corrosive when applied 6 times a day over 10 years.

[@rodofiron100]

Worked for a fence building company for 20 years, only times we had post loose enough to pull out was if it had rotted. That said we saw plenty of bottom rot. We never did the peir thing like this, but would, if the customer wanted it, put a cement curb all the way around. If you do that you WILL drastically extend the life of wood posts, and make cement posts last longer then the house will. We also never used pressure treated. Out here in west Texas it gets way to hot for it. We used Cedar for everything.

[@normferguson2769]

In Alberta I had cedar fence boards dry out such that they were like balsa wood after 15 years. Spruce boards seem to last longer.

[@robertclark2714]

I appreciate this video and agree with your critique. I actually watched the video that you fast forwarded first. You addressed the issues that I had. I think a few screws are not going to hurt and they may help lock. I have 100 year old barns. I have 40 year old wooden post fences. ALL wood rots at ground level. A little bit of used motor oil around barn and fence posts every 5 years or so will slow the rot but who actually does it?

[@dougo6571]

I work with Salina Fence in Salina Ks.. I have pulled posts out of concrete by hand on multiple occasions

[@court2379]

That have been installed for how long? Sure eventually the wood rots away. I would guess the nails get you a few more years before things get really wiggly.

[@RichardMiller-tq6ut]

@@court2379 right. At that point no anchors would have solved any problems. In fact they may encourage the cracks to begin with

[@shermdog6969]

I have pulled wood post out of concrete. They were green when put in and had a very dry year. Major shrinkage. Like stepping out of a cold shower. I do burn all my post now and do direct dirt contact. Has worked great.

[@LemonySnicket-EUC]

Same here. I live in a dry climate.

[@greenhulk7573]

I have pulled wood posts from concrete. I also learned that the home owner poured the concrete mix in the hole and just added water to it. All posts that I have put in the ground have done great but i always mix my cement before pouring it in the ground. Maybe the soil type has something to do with it but I never had problem with it being mixed before pouring it.

[@fuckbigtech3496]

Replaced a mailbox box post for an elderly lady once. Pulled that sucker out by hand like it was in a sleeve. New post went right in same hole. Piece of cake!

[@assassinlexx1993]

After the concrete is cured. I put roof patch around the post 3 or 3 inches and cover the top of the concrete. The rain and snow can't rot those areas where the post rots off.

[@nicholassmith7932]

Usually when we are setting posts we put the concrete down low so we are below the frost lines I'm not sure where this video was taken place. But wouldn't that have the potential to heave with the concrete being up that high. I just did a repair a few weeks ago and they had set the chain link post in sauna tubes everything heaved up at least 6-8 in but I guess if you're in the warmer climates you don't have to worry about that as much

[@mpvincent7]

I have seen first hand when removing a wood deck, the 4x4 posts were set as your video described and about a third of the posts were loose in the concrete and I could pull them out and had to dig out the concrete.

[@pfn]

I'm currently in the process of replacing our fence and nearly every post I removed had rot beginning from the very base of the post where it had contact with the ground (and we DO have very clay-like soil btw). So, I'm on board with laying a base of gravel first.

[@jeffreymurdock8366]

I've seen fence post rot out after a couple years with concrete all around it tapering down to the post as well as down from the level where it met the post. I have seen post with concrete tapered away from it on all sides last way longer.

[@lourak613]

On the wetness problem - posts, even when set in concrete, remain wet, because concrete absorbs water. As for gravel - this does not keep the bottom of the post dry. It only reduces contact with the soil.

[@Matasky2010]

The idea is if water gets down into the hole, it travels past the bottom of the post into the gravel (like any other time gravel is used for drainage). It makes sense in that respect. It would keep it drier than if in contact with wet soil.

[@lourak613]

@@Matasky2010 well, that depends on where the water table is. If it is higher than the bottom of the post, it won't make any difference.

[@johnwhite2576]

@@lourak613 actually if water table high gravel might be WORSE ! constant pooling of adjacent water into the gravel !

[@geoffmiller3491]

Recently replaced a rotted post and found standing water inside the footing where the wood used to be. Makes sense to me that if you encapsulate a post in concrete you also just made a vessel that holds water. For the replacement post, I covered the buried portion in roofing tar except for the end grain, used gravel at the bottom of the hole plus gravel around the first few inches of the post, then poured the concrete footing using a form to give it a collar above grade which slopes away from the post. I’m pretty sure that where I live no one’s hit water by digging four feet, so I hope this method keeps my post dry.

[@ceeweedsl]

@@lourak613 If your posts are sitting in water table stands to reason draining wont work. Non issue in my area.

[@TheDanielsherer]

I did enjoy the video. To answer your question about pulling posts out (especially round/smooth pipe) I have never seen one come out cleanly. Every time I've had to remove a fence post, it always comes out like some sort of "club" of concrete, firmly attached to the pipe. Seems like it "should" be more possible for one to pull-out when smooth, but like you, I've never seen it (as much as I sometimes wished it WOULD.)

[@jwbnscacpt]

What I was taught to allow water drain off away from the posts is making a pyramid like structure around the post. It looks nice, doesn’t stick up too much, and still does the same job as what is seen here.

[@L3GHO5T]

I’ve been putting in 100+ 6x6’s 5 days a week for the last ten years and I think I’ve done 2 jobs in that time where a fence post had a sono tube. We use Sonos for footings, gazebos, pergolas but never on a fence.

[@assortedmountainlife]

is that due to price? needless extra feature?

[@xisotopex]

what if the hole for the 4x4 is too big because the old post had a huge lump of concrete? would the tube help with that, and then backfill around it?

[@L3GHO5T]

@@xisotopex yes absolutely! That’s generally what we do for corner posts. They have to come out so you get that big gaping hole. Drop a sono tube in place and backfill around it like you said. And then all your line posts leading to corners cut them off flush with the concrete with a sawzall or portaband and just offset the posts beside the old concrete so your not killing yourself trying to remove everything

[@downtownbrown50]

Love the speed talking!!!

[@TheRonin248]

Rebar through the bottom of the post about 6-12in from the bottom and sink the post 2-3ft. Always place a concrete brick at the bottom of the post. In northern climates use rebar as well because the freezing temperatures can squeeze the post out of the concrete.

[@tonyaction5284]

I just joined your team of subscribers. You have some excellent videos with great tips and advise. Please keep up the good work and give us more videos with your expert knowledge🤙🏼💪🏼 You da MAN!!!!!🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@JoeEverest]

Thank you so much, welcome to the #FenceFam!

[@davidg5369]

Hey Joe, would it be practical to add an Earth tone paint (based on soil color) to the pertruding portion of the concrete so it blends into the surroundings? Are there any other (better) ways to "dress up" those foundations? What about low growth plants to mask them from view? Options, we like options!

[@NSanoShano]

7:30 it may be more acceptable if you use dyes with the concrete to make it blend more with its surroundings. Another good idea that hasn't much been explored or marketed is decorative forms for the exposed concrete to make it much less bland.

[@starpartyguy5605]

If this is a fence with buried posts, I would recommend Home Depot Post Protector sleeves. I used 4x4 posts and put them 2 feet deep. The sleeves have a gap with fins to hold the post while allowing air and water to flow. I put 6 inches of gravel underneath. I put in 7 posts that way and you could hit it with a tank and it wouldn't budge. As to posts for decks, I just had a deck 12x23 installed 9 feet off the ground. The contractor put 18 inch sonotube in for the footers and set post cradles on top. The reveal above soil went from 1 inch to 3 inches due to the slope. I laid down landscape fabric and covered it with 4 tons of red stone. Then I built a fence around the bottom of the deck with pt deck boards laid horizontal. Waiting for wood to dry out before staining.

[@skozzy1968]

I've had on my property a mowing strip of concret 2 inches above ground which also included the posts, and on the other side of the proerty no mowing strip, the side without the raised conrete rotted away first, the side with the mowing stip lasted for another 1-2 years, but that mowing strip originally was for a water barrier as my yard was higher then next door and it was more used to divert water in heavy rain, but over the year soil moved to the mowing strip and it become level with yard around it. Personally when it comes time to redo it again if I can afford it I will go for a higher layer of concrete.

[@getinnerds]

I think I'm going to do that tube thing under my deck. That makes a lot of sense there I think.

[@larrytabor1372]

If your making a deck, you don't need to put expensive wood into concrete. Just fill the sonotube with concrete, then put a post holder on top. That way your fabulous wood wont even touch the concrete, and not rot, if it is kept dry. Be sure to put the bolt in the concrete before it dries so that you can attach your post holder to that bolt.

[@slizzardman]

Larry's suggestion is on point. Another option is using a tube that has the bottom sealed, setting your posts plumb on both axes, and then pouring closed-cell foam into the tube. Lasts forever, zero chance of water infiltration, kits are commercially available, is incredibly fast, you don't need a concrete truck for large jobs, and all the materials are lightweight. Blew my mind when I saw it.

[@BT-ih6kr]

i live in a predominantly clay area in central Canada. when we were doing fencing we pulled lots of old fence posts out. the rot does not happen with any significance on the bottom of the post, but rather at the point where the post enters the ground. we did not set posts in concrete. we used a few inches of 3/4 down gravel at the bottom and then set the post in. we then tamped 3/4 down gravel around the post. most of our holes were between 36-42 inches deep, which still doesn't get below the frost line. setting in gravel allows you to go back and re-tamp the post if it moves through the winter. concrete doesn't allow that and once moved, it is impossible to re-set

[@jimpie231]

Midwest (Chicago area), currently by code, short deck posts have to be above the concrete on a special metal bracket stand off that is screwed into the concrete, about 1” above, no contact with the concrete. With no brackets, before code, I have done 2 decks in the last 25 years. About 1998 all green, 16x16’ on 4.@10” concrete posts, 4’ into the ground, 2@2x10” rafters supports a cantilever 2x10” deck (every 16”) about 13’ from the house. The other in 2004, all green except the decking, which is white cedar. This deck is 16x48’ on 13@10” concrete posts w/rebar, 4’ into the ground. This one has 2@2x10” w/1/2” plywood in center that supports a cantilever 2x10” deck (every 16”) at 13’ from the house. Both decks have had the 2x10” rafters directly on the concrete posts. The first one the concrete posts are above the ground, the second (larger deck) the posts are level with the ground. So the first deck has no ground contact. The second the 48’ 2x10’+ rafter touches the ground between the 13 posts. Both of these decks are still in use today. They have had no problems with the under structure so far. The Cedar decking will need some replacement (about 10%) next year. Where the joints are there is some deterioration, only small pieces need to be replaced. Thanks....Jim PS.....I have replaced my mailbox post recently. It was 15 years old installed by the builder, 4x4”. This was installed 30” into the ground, our frost line here is 42”. No concrete was used. We literally had to pry it from the ground even though we were digging it out. The water in the soil caused the post to swell. The replacement was a green 6x6”, this will probably never have to be replaced. For info only.....what can happen to a post in the ground.

[@phazelvosfreqdetector7580]

I've been doing that for 20 years. I have a ten foot high deck behind my house with a dozen 4x6 posts. I put a layer of concrete under the post (not gravel). Then I taper the concrete around the top of a small piece of tube. The sets still look strong. I've used the method on all kinds of applications since (here in sandy Florida).

[@richbentley6502]

Being that my buisiness is mainly repairs (70%) I pull posts often. Vinyl posts without holes in bottom come right out of cement foundations. Wood and steel usually come out with foundations unless foundation is damaged.

[@chrisbatchelor3717]

thats bs. Concrete expanse when it dry's. You cant pull a vinyl post out of a concrete footing for all the tea in China. I've been installing vinyl fencing every day and you sir are full of it.

[@erniemenard7727]

@@chrisbatchelor3717 Where no concrete is inside the post (or no more than an inch or two, vinyl posts come out of concrete pretty easy, I've done it, multiple times.

[@richbentley6502]

@@chrisbatchelor3717 yeah you take post cap off put a 4x4 on top of post tap it with a hammer. Slides out like butter.

[@southernshop8424]

@@chrisbatchelor3717 concrete does not expand, it contracts as it cures, thus the need for control joints

[@patrickbjordahl3239]

The weight of the concrete as its poured alone squeezes the plastic it sets and settles doesnt really bond and slides out like a turd after taco Tuesday definitely have to fill the hollow of plastic poles sir .

[@LemonySnicket-EUC]

The concrete "pier" is good to keep the string trimmer use from damaging the wooden posts if grass is growing next to it. Of course I never use wooden posts anymore when building fences.

[@RichardMiller-tq6ut]

I've never seen a post lose its integrity from the whipper snipper

[@furtfurt]

@@RichardMiller-tq6ut really, even after using the weed Wacker 30 times a year for 10 years? Those hundreds of times would seem to affect the woods integrity.

[@RichardMiller-tq6ut]

That would have to be one brute of a weed wacker. I have seen decades old posts that exhibit moderate wear in the weed wacking area. These were stand alone clothesline poles, light posts, mail boxes n such. I suspect this wear is more likely from mower decks. Do you really want rows of cement piers grinding up the side of your mower deck? Besides, many homeowners kill a small strip of vegetation along the fence line to prolong the life of the bottom of the pickets. This also negates the need for weed wacking if you are careful with the mower.

[@keithdaniels5918]

@@furtfurt have a fence with fairly rounded edges after 25 yrs of weed eater trimming...still solid but noticeable wear.

[@furtfurt]

@@keithdaniels5918 hmm, okay. Yes I'd think it'd cause some minor wear.

[@Prometheus203]

In Central NY you want 2 inches of foam board at the bottom of a 4ft hole followed by packed gravel around the post. Concrete is very conductive and will cause frost heave removing your fence posts from the ground.

[@mlt6322]

I have no idea about wood posts in concrete but I have chainlink fence about 40 yrs old and the concrete was poured to ground level and not left below the frost line. After 40 yrs all the posts have risen about 4 inches out of the ground from freezing water seeping under the concrete. I'm a firm believer in keeping the concrete below ground now.

[@steveharris947]

I drive for a scrap metal recycling services , hauled many containers of metal post still encased in concrete because they couldn't pull the post out of it. You literally have to bust the concrete to get it off.

[@dkeith45]

I would think the main reason for that is the steel posts don't expand/contract depending on the weather, like wood does.

[@ericwsmith7722]

I know right..... you could polish that post like a mirror, put a concrete release agent on it,,,, and after a week...NO WAY that post is going to pull out!

[@sparksmcgee6641]

@@dkeith45 moisture causes wood expansion, heat causes metal expansion. so it's a wash

[@NeillWylie]

I've been really enjoying these videos. I'm not a fencer but it's great seeing all of the variations and learning about the negatives or benefits they bring. P.S. Never been able to pull a post out of concrete before. Where I come from it's really really wet and we usually see rot at the top of the post before the bottom.

[@ShyRage1]

I have never been able to pull a post out of concrete but I have seen concrete rise along with the post. How do we prevent this?

[@GeorgeMinton-jb8ky]

Well at least you have something to hold onto when you remove the posts. Mine rot at the bottom. I have to dig the concrete out. I went and bought a farm jack to get ready for replacing post and then it rots at the bottom. Dang it.

[@annettesurfer]

About 22 years ago I built a 20’ sliding pressure treated privacy fence that required a concrete pad so the wheels had a solid surface to not only sit on but open onto alongside a garage. A 10’ treated 4x4 was sunk 48” into the ground to sandwich the rolling structure between it and the garage on one side and the other side was simply pinned with stainless rods into another 4x4 shared with a 3’ wide privacy gate. Well over the years those 4x4’s shrunk a little as well as cracked, which allowed water to enter the rebar reinforced 6” deep concrete pad...and then the freeze/thaw cycle produced some hairline cracks. The point is, yes the treated wood did shrink and crack but it still seems quite strong. For the 300’ of privacy fence I installed 10 years ago, I again sunk 4x4 posts 48” into the ground but this time I merely packed ‘em with something called ‘County mix” which is a sort of gravel mixed with a lot of stone fines (dust). The idea was to keep the microbes in the dirt from attacking the wood. The 16’ gate posts were set in concrete. Everything is still perfect, no frost heaving, no visible rot or weakening, and no weeds around the posts. I just wish I had cut the picket edges to make ‘em lap for privacy. Sadly the quality and thickness of the pickets aren’t what they used to be. I’m battling huge carpenter bees that bore tunnels under the rails and the males flying around guarding it. I just started spraying ‘em with Sevin attached to a garden hose and that seems to provide peace for a day until their replacement arrives. Well that’s my story and I’m sticking to it. P.S. My next crazy idea is to build an aluminum frame across my driveway and attach lightweight cedar pickets so the fence would rise like a garage door into a carport. I just need to determine what a torsion spring can handle.

[@scruffy4647]

Vinyl post are probably different. I have a 4 rail fence on my property with a lots of trees. Recently, strong winds brought one of my trees down on part of the fence. Broke two posts and six rails. It's happened before and I usually dig down on one side of the post and remove it. Frost line is 20" and post are 30" in the ground with concrete 4" below grade. 5" sq post with 12" diameter holes. So, I tried something different this time. I cut the post about 6" above grade and made a wooden block (oak) jig to fit tightly inside of the post that I fastened through with two 1/2" bolts. I made a steel plate with an eyelet and used lag screws to fasten to the top of the block. With my tractor and chain on my bucket, I pulled straight up and the post came out smoothly. It didn't break the concrete at all. Those concrete pours are compacted into the ground. Anyway, I cut the new post to size and fit them back in. Stout as ever. I installed the fence myself and most of the posts are center in the hole. May not work for a vinyl privacy fence but a 4 rail fence does not have hardly any wind load. Save me a lot of work as far as not digging. Not my first rodeo with fallen trees. I have over a 1/4 mile of fence with a lot of trees. The jig took me awhile to make but now its my go to extraction method. May not work all the time but its worth a shot first try. Sorry for the long post.

[@adrianryan1975]

In my experience, as to adding gravel underneath fence posts, it seems to encourage ground water to pool at bottom of post because the gravel provides a void as such. While it would drain excess water away from post, I think in the long term it would defeat the purpose

[@tonybarracuda3505]

The type of soil you’re dealing with will dictate what method to use when installing posts , sandy vs loamy vs heavy gumbo vs gravel all have their own preferred installation methods

[@MrDan1509]

I live in Eastern Washington, you hardly seen concrete above soil line at the post unless its a built in mow strip. Go to the Western Washington and they all have concrete above soil line due to the coastal weather. Eastern Washington is mostly desert!

[@adamperry7223]

At my brother's nursery, one of the greenhouses caught the wind and yanked the galvanized posts it was set in out of the concrete. Soon some posts, all the greenhouse plastic and supports, were flailing like the mace of a pissed off giant. Had to rush in and cut it off in a lull of the wind to prevent catastrophic damage to the surrounding structures. It was awesome to watch.

[@CaseyBieker]

I have seen a round steel post turn in concrete, but I didn’t try to pull it up since it was still connected, but I’m sure it’s still there albeit not perfectly straight. Where I live in Hays, KS, people seem to have created a very high standard of fence building, nearly every fence you see around town is built with steel posts in concrete, with a 4-6” high concrete border under the entire fence line.

[@billsims974]

I found the piers interfere with slats so I don't go up 3", usually about an inch or so.

[@brainretardant]

I like to make a depressed area around the post in the cement. Everytime you drain your lawnmower oil just pour a little black gold around the post. Keeps the fungus and critters away. Plus it reminds you to change that oil every season

[@DennisGentry]

Here's a crazy thing: I had a PT fencepost that I had previously set in concrete many years prior. It was doing fine. Ten years ago, I poured a slab over and around the concrete base, making the post effectively four inches shorter. A car ran into the fence, breaking the post off at the base. When I drilled out the post remnants from the hole, the top several inches of the stub were weaker (not fully rotted, but a bit) than the part that was completely submerged in trapped water. The underwater part was incredibly difficult to drill out. Finally, I was able to sledgehammer a new PT 4x4 into the cleaned out hole, and I caulked around the base. The post will require a jack to pull back out, so friction with the concrete is just not an issue.

[@rickmandigo6673]

Our specification for concrete fence called for the concrete to be on grade with the concrete hand formed and rounded to shed water. This prevented rusting out of the metal fence posts even in rainy old Florida.

[@sasa1982uk]

7:00 I done this but I use a plastic paint bucket 🤣🤣around that size and re use it.

[@patrickbjordahl3239]

As an electrician I use those paint bucket's as ballared forum's for lighting all the time life hack 4 sure

[@patrickbjordahl3239]

And I didn't spend a dime found the forum in the jobsute trash can !

[@janderson8401]

I don’t do a lot of fences or mail box posts. In my limited experience sonotubes are completely unnecessary for fence posts. Using concrete may be necessary depending on the soil and your ability to compact the backfill. Here in Connecticut tornados are pretty rare so there’s not much reason to worry about a post being pulled out of the concrete. Part of the chainlink fence in my backyard was built with post set in concrete that sits 2“-3” above grade and it’s a pain to try and mow close to it.

[@dude-eu1vr]

I've had one post pull out of the concrete before, it was a rough cedar 6x6 stained before cast. Pulled it out with a skid steer and when I later dug out the concrete it didn't seem cracked or damaged in any way. Its the only one that did it in the 30 posts I pulled that day.

[@Tony-hx2fj]

I always use a 2 ft piece of angle iron nailed to the post before putting in concrete( steel couple inches above grade) Never have had to replace post and I still live in the house I had built in 1975

[@edwardwilson3411]

hurricane codes here in florida require the 4X4 be drilled and pinned with rebar prior to setting in concrete for STRUCTURAL members. I have never seen the need on fenceposts. Once the concrete is cured you wont get that post out

[@dikstertrikster9668]

because florida is just a sand bar.

[@etfeddiecrosley92]

Keep in mind there is always concrete pigment powder to make it look more aesthetically pleasing👍🏼

[@pierresavoie3670]

Up here in Canada where the frost goes deep. What I do is put the post well below the frost line and also cement the bottom then soil then crushed rock around the top 30" or so. This way the ground doesn't freeze to the post and lift it out. The crushed rock also keeps moisture away from the post prolongin the life of the post. From my point of view this always works providing the water table is below the frost line.

[@JoeEverest]

Sounds like a solid process!

[@realmikeq]

In Canada I dig holes are 4feet deep, widening out at bottom as much as you can. Put post in hole, add 3feet concrete then backfill last/top12inches with soil and sod. With freezing and thawing that top 12 inches of soil/sod will keep concrete below the surface. That frost goes down 4feet gotta get below it for that post to stay in ground. 🇨🇦

[@milam6464]

I have a photo of a 6x6 post rotted out at the bottom - in fact we pulled a few of these posts straight out of their footings and placed Postmaster Plus posts in the same hole the 6x6 was in. No need to repace footings, just added about a bag of sakrete. Im not 100% certain these posts were rotted from water - could have been an insect. Seattle area.

[@adammichaelis]

Been a carpenter a long time. I spend a lot of time working with structural engineers and I never hesitate to ask why things are speced the way they are or why there done certain ways and the reasoning behind it.heres some relevant info I have learned over the years. Concrete doesn't need to bond to the wood to work. It's liquid back fill. The weight is irrelevant to the footing also. It is there to increase the surface area of the post base against the soil. The soil will compact and be pushed by the lateral load on the post at a certain psi. Increasing the surface area lowers the psi the post exerts under load (wind). The depth of the post in the ground should be proportional to the height of the fence or wall at a 2-1 ratio. Ex 6' fence using 4x4 at 8' OC spacing should have no less than 3' embedded in the ground. This in based on fence height not post height. Many fences use 5' of post out of ground with 6' pickets that extend past the top of the post. The this rule of thumb goes out the window when frost line is below the bottom of the post. Where I live frost is 42" in clay soil it is recommended that your post be below frost line regardless of the rule No mater the height of the fence. Frost cycles will destroy a fence. As for the wood rot in all wood is caused by microbe decay. Treated wood of any level will succumb to this. The base of the post does not need to be encapsulated and you don't need gravel. The reason the post rots at the grass line is because the soil moisture varies. Wood that is fully saturated with water and stays fully saturated can not rot as the microbes need oxygen to survive if the wood is under water in the ground it does not rot. At the grass line it gets wet but not to wet and the microbes for to work. As discussed there are several levels of treatment for wood and this does effect longevity as the treatment does not allow the microbes to survive in the wood. There is above ground treatment which is ok for things that don't touch the ground in areas that are not to wet. Ground contact for items that touch the ground but are not in the ground such as sill plates or deck posts on a pier. And then there are a few levels of submersion treated lumber these are specifically for being in the ground or in water such as fence posts, pole barn posts and dock posts. Creasote treatment is one of the highest levels and is used for critical items such as telephone poles and rail road ties. They will rot but that only happens when the creasote leaches back out of the wood. Ties used in retaining walls are usually the old used ties the rail road takes out and that's why they rot out they might already have been used for 30+ years in a railroad before they were a wall. If you want to maximize the life of a post make sure you get the right post.

[@erniemenard7727]

It's nice to find somebody that understands the concrete around a post is just to increase the bearing surface on the surrounding soil.

[@jonathanogden746]

So a TOTALY stupid thought, If you dig two 3' long by 1'wide by 3' deep trenches in a plus or 'cross' pattern in the ground. Then drill holes in the post to place four 3' rebar through the post. Then pore the concrete, you would create a concrete base in the shape of a cross with strong resistance to lateral force. Total overkill, but that would be better then a circle in the ground. If we are thinking about the lateral forces from wind pushing against the fence.

[@ceeweedsl]

For posts that need lateral strength, making em wider reduces psi. Lately I do this with a pvc pipe set in concrete on gravel base then come along later, drop the posts into the tube and pack with pea gravel. They install super easy once tubes are set and 3' (as needed) tubes are easy to set fairly plumb still room to plumb the post after. Finally, wrap the collar 2" above grade with foam tape to create a caulkable gap and pour a small collar to slope water away from gravel to outside of tube. Basically a concrete or morter flashing cap. In my mind this is structurally as good as simple concrete, but better drainage, pvc is a water barrier to wet soil and collar to rain. And replacing posts is super easy. I had to do it on a remodel once. Oh, and where pull out is a concern, drill and pin the post to the pvc tube near top with something galvanized or SS Even roofing screws. Bust the collar and drive out pins if changing posts is ever required. Will let you know in 20 years if its brilliant or stupid technique!

[@nickjahraus9780]

Jack of all trades, Master of most: ATCO non-fibred roof emulsion painted liberally on the the post from bottom to 4-6 inches above expected ground level, always pull up post a few inches after filling hole half way and then re-establish your plumb before filling the rest, allow 2-3 inches of concrete above ground and trowel to edge with a decent angle for water flow. When the base of post has been exposed such as around a deck and not hidden by groundcover or fencing I have used a tan exterior paint on the exposed tar. Never a complaint and there are 30 year old installs still doing their jobs. I also will amend the mix with some Acryl 60 or Elmers when in a cold climate.

[@outdoorzone]

Great tips! I was always told wood mostly rots within the first 6-8” in the ground where the organisms live that eat it away! With that being said I would brush black tar or roof cement on the post that will contact the first 6-8” in the ground!

[@bigoldgrizzly]

I use the same method of coating the post, but add a full overlapped wrap of thick, 18 " wide, torch on roof felt to cover 9" above and below ground level. Cheap to do and looks better than raised concrete. I have a fence over 30 years old and still in great shape. These posts go down to a waterlogged layer and are saturated at the base but the bottoms don't rot at all, As you say, all the wood eating bugs and bacteria attack a few inches either side of ground level

[@ashtanga2000]

The source video channel, Millennial Gardener, is a pretty good channel on gardening and growing figs.

[@gabeslifestuff9691]

Never had a steel post pull out of cement.

[@stayonit8026]

I have many times on tear outs but whatever

[@toddwilliams5905]

@Oregon Patriot For me it is about half the labor to dry set. It has worked for years for me. I always add some water in three stages as I fill the hole. If you have wet ground you don't need much water.

[@ltjon1924]

In reference to that first question, if the lumber is green enough at the point of placement, they can shrink as its seasons. I have seen instances where posts "pulled away" from the concrete. Not sure how pressure treatment may influence the Lumbers propensity to shrink. I would guess it would never equate to a total failure, but with a come along I have pulled a post out of the anchored concrete ballast. Leaving a neat square hole in the concrete. In any normal function of the post, tied in with a series of fencing, it would never fail outside of a very unique application of Leverage.

[@sharrer224422]

I’ve been building since I was a kid and as a tradesman for 17 years I’ve seen wood and metal pull straight out of concrete ...maybe 3 or 4 times lmao . Love the content sir keep it coming .

[@baubljos103]

I've extracted wood posts from concrete many times, and discovered that the wood dimensions have shrunk to the point where it's actually possible to lift wood posts out of a concrete bed - and then replace the post with a new one! Apparently, wood may shrink over time, but concrete - not so much. IN addition, concrete post beds may fracture, especially when the wood/concrete gaps collect water which freezes in the winter, the water expands, and fractures concrete away from the wood post. Another item to note when using wood in it's vertical orientation - is that wood structure is designed (by our Father in heaven) to suck water up from the bottom and move it up towards the top. Unlike many man-made systems, wood may continue to function as a water conduit even after the tree is dead. (That shows that our Father's wood design was superior). So, if you put a 4x4 post in the ground, it's a good idea to seal the bottom with tar, because that seals off much of the water intake. Water generally does NOT travel through wood laterally. only up. If you can figure out which end of the post was the original top - it's best to stick that end down. Because - yes- the Father designed wood with one-way conduit. Pretty impressive.

[@gartner101]

How do you determine the original orientation?

[@baubljos103]

@@gartner101 You'd need to do a microscopic analysis of the wood fibers. You might possibly determine the original orientation by analysis of the tree rings, and/or the direction of the branch structures.

[@RogerBrenon]

@@gartner101 Screw it, just seal both ends. Problem solved.

[@robertmiller2831]

You need air for rot. I have pulled dozens of pt posts out on the farm and the rot is only at about an inch above and below the grade line. I remember one post where the hole filled with water as fast as we pulled the post out and the buried part was in better condition than the top part!

[@erniemenard7727]

Exactly.

[@Craig-xr1bw]

Agreed

[@earthman6700]

I put additional wood preservative on the lower part of the post, then asphalt on the sides of the post to a few inches above ground level. I did not asphalt the end so as not to trap water in the post, allowing the post to drain. I placed a layer of stones on the base of the post hole as the soil is clay. Placing the post vertically using two spirit levels strapped to it, I filled the hole with concrete ramming the mix with a pole. I then shaped the concrete so it was above the soil level and angled down to drain water away from the post. It is not unsightly but I could have added color to the concrete mix where it is visible, brown or green to make it less obvious. See how it lasts... Thanks for the excellent videos! 👍