Concrete washing line

[sifly]

Hi,

I have a washing line that is tied to two concrete posts. These posts are about 2.5m high and are on grass. I assume they have a foundation of concrete too although I have not dug around to check.

My question is, what's the best way to remove them from where they stand? Can I break them up, or do I have to risk a hernia trying to move them?

I'd appreciate any advice.

 

[Gary_M]

Hi,

I would guess that they will have steel rods reinforcing them too.

Personally, I would just dig down and get them out that way.

Good luck

 

[quatro]

I had to remove 2 concrete posts in my last garden. We dug down and got the post and the concrete base out quite easily for one. The other was more stubborn and we had to break the post up at the base exposing the metal rods which I cut through with an angle grinder - quite quick to do.

The fencer took them away for me as part of the deal when he did the fencing - good job he was strong though!

 

[sifly]

Crumbs! metal rods through the middle too!

Unfortunately I don't have anyone to take them away for me so ideally I'd like to break them into smaller chunks to hide away somewhere...

Did you use anything in particular to break it up? Also, roughly how far down did you did?

 

[Gary_M]

........a BIG hammer is the simplest way to break it up, then as quatro said, use an angle grinder with a metal cutting blade to get throught the rods (a hacksaw would take you forever).

Alternatively - lob them behind the neighbours shed

 

[Gary_M]

Oh, I just had another thought..............if you are likely to be putting up a shed or garage in the future, it might be worth keeping the posts intact - they would make a good base

 

[sifly]

Thanks for the advice Gary.....neighbours shed eh...

I have a sledgehammer so that should do the trick. No room for a garage (terraced house) and the two sheds are enough.

I am laying decking but I doubt they would be much use...unless broken up and used to help with leveling the ground....

 

[skybluescooby]

Just lob em where the decking is going and deck over them, saves time and money in trying to break em up and dispose of..

 

[JohnD]

If you want to take out the concrete round the base of the post, this is much easier if you don't break the post off first, then you can use it as a lever. You might find that if you dig round the bases as deep as you can, then tie a rope between the tops of the two posts and swing on it, you can pull the two tops together, and that will pull the bases out of the ground.

It is very difficult to get a big lump of concrete out of the ground if you've got no handle on it. Same with fence posts.

 

[sifly]

Cheers JohnD,

That's a great tip! I have the ahem...weight to assist the leverage too.

I'll keep the washing line on and hang myself out to dry.

 

[2scoops0406]

or one of these ,goodnight vienna

 

[Thermo]

make sure its a washing line and not a bungee cord!