Hello all,
Having tried to look for alternatives (see my 2 recent unanswered posts), I have come to the conclusion that I need to 'bite the bullet' and use concrete or postcrete to fix posts. I am happy with digging the holes etc. but I have never worked with postcrete or concrete. Despite having read literally hundreds of threads on this topic, I am after some clarification please.
I have a number of 8 foot fence posts to set (2 foot in hole and 6 above gl)
1. I am told that postcrete is not particularly suitable for 6 foot posts as it is prone to cracking and, in any event, has very little ballast in it for strength. Views?
2. If I were to use postcrete, the MI suggests water in hole first then postcrete. However, advice on here has suggested postcrete first, tamped down then watered. Which is better?
3. Assuming I use concrete, I would need to mix it myself. Three questions on this:
(a) Is a 5:1 ratio of ballast to cement correct?
(b) Wet or dry mix? If wet mixing, how much water for the above ratio?
(c) If a dry mix placed in hole and tamped down, how much water on top?
Sorry to be thick but,as I said, I have never mixed concrete before. I am more than willing to give it a go (especially as it works out much cheaper than bags of postcrete) albeit I will have to mix it by hand.
Thanks in advance.
B
Having tried to look for alternatives (see my 2 recent unanswered posts), I have come to the conclusion that I need to 'bite the bullet' and use concrete or postcrete to fix posts. I am happy with digging the holes etc. but I have never worked with postcrete or concrete. Despite having read literally hundreds of threads on this topic, I am after some clarification please.
I have a number of 8 foot fence posts to set (2 foot in hole and 6 above gl)
1. I am told that postcrete is not particularly suitable for 6 foot posts as it is prone to cracking and, in any event, has very little ballast in it for strength. Views?
2. If I were to use postcrete, the MI suggests water in hole first then postcrete. However, advice on here has suggested postcrete first, tamped down then watered. Which is better?
3. Assuming I use concrete, I would need to mix it myself. Three questions on this:
(a) Is a 5:1 ratio of ballast to cement correct?
(b) Wet or dry mix? If wet mixing, how much water for the above ratio?
(c) If a dry mix placed in hole and tamped down, how much water on top?
Sorry to be thick but,as I said, I have never mixed concrete before. I am more than willing to give it a go (especially as it works out much cheaper than bags of postcrete) albeit I will have to mix it by hand.
Thanks in advance.
B