Setting post no concrete

JimS · May 16, 2017

I want to set a tie rail and want it to be secure. As there is a chance I may have to move it, I would prefer not to set in in concrete. I have heard posts set in pea gravel 3/8 and less or shale 3/4 and less can work nearly as well. Your thoughts? Other recommended materials ?

David G · May 16, 2017

I use pea gravel, out in a couple inches at a time and tamp down good.

moresmoke · May 16, 2017

As long as you are not setting in a hole in clay that will fill with water, gravel will hold a post pretty secure.

VicS · May 16, 2017

I use lime rock 1/2 chips. Solid right now.

David G · May 16, 2017

It also helps hole stay dry if you take top 4 " put in dirt and slope away.

kcm.MN · May 17, 2017

Use a coarse rock - it will compact harder. Round rock won't compact as well.

farmerwithmutt · May 17, 2017

Nail a 2x4 crosswise across the bottom it will keep from lifting.

Geo-TH,In · May 17, 2017

I person who worked for electric company recommended using crushed white rock so water would drain.

Most farmers used RR tie posts at corners and they would use 3 posts at corners, a cross brace and then #9 wire to put a angle stress at top of one post going to the bottom on another post. Also a good way to do it if you plan to hang a gate on one post.

I learned how to do this as a kid growing up on a dairy. Digging a hole in hard as a brick dry clay, I wished someone would have sold post holes instead of me digging them.
geo
angle bracing

W_B · May 17, 2017

We've used limestone screenings (also called limestone dust by some). It packs pretty hard but drains and you can move it when you need to.

grandpa Love · May 17, 2017

We have installed 1000's of ft of 3 and4 rail " horse fence". 4" gravel in bottom and pack the dirt back in around post. Never an issue. Kevin in Central AL

Stephen Newell · May 17, 2017

I'm not sure how a tie post would work in that application. The exterior has been treated with creosol and used on a bed of gravel, not the ground. It's not like treated wood which is put in a pressure tank and had the chemical forced into the center of the wood. I think a tie post is destine to rot whether you put it in concrete or not. Anyway if you are going to use the post you might run the post hole a little deeper and back fill it with gravel.

Texasmark1 · May 17, 2017

I use river bed gravel because it's available. Packs good, stays tight. Sand gets wet and moves as does most things. Small rocks don't move much and when they do just tamp them down more. If needed add more rock year or two down the line as required.

Case Nutty 1660 · May 17, 2017

Here I just hand tamp them in from the bottom up, but my area has less H20 than many other areas I have been doing it this way for over 40 years here, I like to set corner/gate posts 4-5 feet deep and I use a lot of railroad ties for that app as well, the cedar posts still in many fences here are getting close to 100 years old and I do have to replace some every year from rot but I think they have severed their due for us lol
cnt

Setting post no concrete

JimS

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David G

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moresmoke

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VicS

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David G

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kcm.MN

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farmerwithmutt

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Geo-TH,In

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W_B

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grandpa Love

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Stephen Newell

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Texasmark1

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Case Nutty 1660

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