Postcrete question

[Big G]

Anyone got lots of experience of using postcrete?

I used it ages ago and didn’t like it – but couldn’t remember why. Anyhow, used it last weekend to set one of four posts into the ground and remembered-

Dug a hole – two foot deep by about 8 - 10 inches wide. Stuck the (preserved and bitumen painted) post in and half filled with water. Added the postcrete. The resultant concrete seemed very dry and difficult to mix. A long stick to stir, more water and two and a half bags of postcrete and the post set nicely. I wonder just how well the concrete has mixed though.

Still got another three posts to do and two and a half bags of postcrete left. Is it better to pour a little water, a little postcrete – stir, repeat? Or is there a better method? Or should I buy some sand, gravel and cement and stop being so lazy and mix my own stuff? If I decide to mix my own, can I utilise the remaining two and a half bags of postcrete?

Any advice would be greatly received.


Cheers

G

 

[Thermo]

i use it all the time for decking and fencing etc. I use the hanson stuff which has a good mix in it. the only thing i do sometimes is add the rapidmix cement to it. It should all be premixed anyway. I find the best way is to pour it all in dry, ram it down with a metal rod and then pour about 1/2 a can of water in it. After that leave well alone. they dont need stirring or anything similar once they are in the hole. Maybe thats where youve been going wrong.

 

[Big G]

Cheers for the answer. That’s exactly the opposite way to how it is described on the bag. Not sure what make of Postcrete it is but it’s in Yellow bags and from Wickes. I’ll give your way a go this weekend – as long as it isn’t too cold.


Thanks

Gordon

 

[Thermo]

that sounds like the blue circle stuff. Goes off quick, but as i remember theres sod all aggregate in it, so it lacks strength. Try getting the hanson stuff. Most builders merchants and fencers sell it

 

[Big G]

I was a bit confused as the yellow bags did not have a blue circle on them - even though they were the blue Circle yellow. Anyhow, had a look and they are marked "Lafarge". A quick Google shows Blue Circle as a subsidiary of Lafarge.
I'll try to find a supplier of Hanson's in Sheffield.

Many thanks for the advice.

Gordon

 

[nstreet]

Try B&Q for Hanson products, our branch stocks that particular brand. I used 10 bags in the summer, lots of small aggregates in the mix.

 

[sidecar_jon]

Yep last week end i used Blue circle from Wickes, and when i ran out B&Q stuff, the B&Q had lots of aggrigate in it and i think would be better for bigger fence posts.... don't half go off fast too!

 

[joe-90]

I've never met a fencer that uses Postcrete or any other quick set product. After all - what's the rush?

Get a bag of all-in ballast and mix it 6 to 1 with ordinary portland cement. Add a teeny bit of water until it is just damp. Shovel the whole lot into the hole (around the post to be fixed) and tamp with a spare fence post . Fix to previous panel fixed (make sure it is level) and move on to next one.
When all panels are up, check for level and with a string line, water the fence posts and they will be set in the morning.

This way you get double the concrete for half the price.

That's the way the pro's do it.

 

[Thermo]

That's the way the pro's do it.

oh im wrong and so are all the other guys that regualry buy it from the fencing suppliers i use. ho hum joes right again.

 

[WabbitPoo]

I've never met a fencer that uses Postcrete or any other quick set product. After all - what's the rush?

Get a bag of all-in ballast and mix it 6 to 1 with ordinary portland cement. Add a teeny bit of water until it is just damp. Shovel the whole lot into the hole (around the post to be fixed) and tamp with a spare fence post . Fix to previous panel fixed (make sure it is level) and move on to next one.
When all panels are up, check for level and with a string line, water the fence posts and they will be set in the morning.

This way you get double the concrete for half the price.

That's the way the pro's do it.

No point in checking string lines AFTER you've put them all in! If you've rammed in your dry mix then moving the posts is all but impossible.

If i recall the Blue Circle stuff says NOT to try to mix in the hole - just add the water in two lots and the mix in two lots, Never had probs with it not working. That said, I usually use it for decking posts which have much less sideways pressure on them.

 

[Thermo]

especially once youve put the panels in as well! Joe strikes again! Hey Wabbit you must be as unprofessional as me if you use pre-mixed stuff!

 

[WabbitPoo]

especially once youve put the panels in as well! Joe strikes again! Hey Wabbit you must be as unprofessional as me if you use pre-mixed stuff!

Yep, a real bodger.

As with most tools and materials, they do a job if you follow the instructions properly. Most of us don't of course. That makes us men. Its an effort to stick to what it says on the tin!

 

[sidecar_jon]

Ten mins instead of "overnight".... unless joe is one of them off to another job guys.

 

[joe-90]

It's your money you are wasting. A fence post needs a full bag of ballast where we live. Anything less will simply wobble over with the post.

It's your choice. Do it the way the pros do it - or do it the way Mr Handyman does it.

Why do you need it to 'set' in 10 mins? A full bag of ballast/cement mix will stop it going anywhere instantly. However, on the off chance you've mucked up your string line - you can always go back and do it again, then when you are happy with it - tip a bit of water on it and go home.

 

[Thermo]

stop talking out your backside joe. If a post is put in properly it wont move anyway, regardless of wether the concretes set. So you wont be able to re-adjust them against the string line after, so you spend the time getting it right in the first time. At least thats what the pros do.

postcrete nice and neat and no mess knocking it up somewhere. No time spent knocking it up. A bag of ballast is £1.50. a bag of cement £3.50 down our way.(assume you use one 5th per hole thats 70p). A total of £2.20. A bag of postcrete £2.95. You do the maths compared to the time wasted knocking it up and cleaning up the bath tub after

once the posts are in and done the panels can be put up at the start of the run, by the time youve put the last post in. So the jobs done quicker, saving time and keeping the cost down. I know which my customers prefer.

Who says you only put one bag in the hole????