Hello all,

I'm getting some conflicting advice on the best mix to use for setting fence
posts for a 6ft vinyl privacy fence. I've been told that any Quikrete mix
(like the #1101) will set up if poured dry. I've also been told that the
fast setting the fast setting #1004 is far better. Someone even told me that
the non-fast setting will only have half the strength of the red bag, fast
setting mix if poured dry. I'd like to save some money if possible but don't
want to sacrifice strength over the years as this fence will catch lots of
wind over the years.

Any advice?

Thanks,

Doug

One advantage to pouring dry is, elminating the mixing process while
setting posts, and less clean-up , but..............

I've always had water near-by, either with a hose or bucket, because it
just didn't seem right to work with 'crete without it.
I also thought it depends on the dryness of the ground.

what I've always done was placed 'bout an inch or so of water in the
hole.....then dumped the 'crete to about quarter/way, an worked it with
a diggin iron or wrecking bar..then plumb the post, add a little more
H2O...'crete...work it..plumb....
H2O...'crete...work it..plumb....
H2O...'crete...work it..plumb....
till you reach the top.

When you near the top, make sure you have the 'crete pasty, 'cause ya
need to end up with a slight rise/mound to allow the rain/water to run
away from the post....even if they are vinyl...besides it looks better.

IMHO......Sky

any Quikrete mix
(like the #1101) will set up if poured dry. I've also been told that
the
fast setting the fast setting #1004 is far better. Someone even told me
that
the non-fast setting will only have half the strength of the red bag,
fast
setting mix if poured dry.

Sounds about right,
I've always heard the 'quicker' the 'crete sets the harder it becomes.

I'm glad I used the water. One job I had done was a pressure treated
pool deck.
17 years.......Still Sq., Still Plumb.
Sky

One last Item......Make sure your footers are deep enough.
In Fla. can be ground level,
In Canada up to or over 48/52"
Sky

sky wrote:
One last Item......Make sure your footers are deep enough.
In Fla. can be ground level,
In Canada up to or over 48/52"

I'll second that. Don't get lazy with the hole digger. I did, went 24"
deep in Alabama and now I have a few posts that are out of plumb.
Believe me it's not the freeze/thaw cycle but the drought cycle in this
alabama red clay that gets the earth moving around.

--
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President - Top Service Pros, Inc.
Connecting Homeowners and Local Home Service Professionals
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"Doug Steckel" writes:

Hello all,

I'm getting some conflicting advice on the best mix to use for setting fence
posts for a 6ft vinyl privacy fence. I've been told that any Quikrete mix
(like the #1101) will set up if poured dry. I've also been told that the
fast setting the fast setting #1004 is far better. Someone even told me that
the non-fast setting will only have half the strength of the red bag, fast
setting mix if poured dry. I'd like to save some money if possible but don't
want to sacrifice strength over the years as this fence will catch lots of
wind over the years.

Wind?

Sorta funny.

I put in a vinyl fence. The instructions said put concrete around the
posts, put 2 pieces or rebar inside the posts, then fill the posts with
concrete. These are 4 or 5 inch square posts.

Those posts aren't going anywhere.

I've been told that any Quikrete mix (like the #1101) will set up if
poured dry. I've also been told that the fast setting the fast setting
#1004 is far better. Someone even told me that the non-fast setting will
only have half the strength of the red bag, fast setting mix if poured
dry. I'd like to save some money if possible but don't want to sacrifice
strength

Quickcrete (brand name) is expensive. Use the no name stuff sold by Lowes
or HD..about half the price
For fencepost "anchors" it doesnt matter..Why do you need fast setting ?
Just brace the posts and let it set overnight.

Rudy wrote:
I've been told that any Quikrete mix (like the #1101) will set up if
poured dry. I've also been told that the fast setting the fast setting
#1004 is far better. Someone even told me that the non-fast setting will
only have half the strength of the red bag, fast setting mix if poured
dry. I'd like to save some money if possible but don't want to sacrifice
strength

Quickcrete (brand name) is expensive. Use the no name stuff sold by Lowes
or HD..about half the price
For fencepost "anchors" it doesnt matter..Why do you need fast setting ?
Just brace the posts and let it set overnight.


But you should think about providing bearing surface rather than just a
blob on the bottom of the post. Spread it out horizontally a few
inches down in the dirt. Or use long horizontal rebar to stablize it.

"Doug Steckel" wrote in message
...
Hello all,

I'm getting some conflicting advice on the best mix to use for setting
fence posts for a 6ft vinyl privacy fence. I've been told that any
Quikrete mix (like the #1101) will set up if poured dry. I've also been
told that the fast setting the fast setting #1004 is far better. Someone
even told me that the non-fast setting will only have half the strength of
the red bag, fast setting mix if poured dry. I'd like to save some money
if possible but don't want to sacrifice strength over the years as this
fence will catch lots of wind over the years.

Any advice?

Thanks,

Doug


For a fence post, the extra expense of quick setting or high strength is
unwarranted. The post hole concrete is a mix with more/bigger/random sized
aggregate in it and optimized to make it easier to absorb water from the
ground.

The whole concept of putting the mix in dry is a time saver. Not only do
you not have to premix the concrete but the dry mix holds the post steady
while the ground water permeates the mix and allows the chemical reaction to
occur. With mixed concrete you will need to brace the post in place while
it sets.

The ground does need to be moist or you can just dump water on top of the
mix in the hole. Sure it takes longer, sure it is not as hard, but you do
not need this for a post of a lightweight vinyl fence

Doesn't make any difference regarding the concrete chosen. Cheap fence post
will die before the concrete caves in. Just pour it with your choice, dry
or wet pour. If you decide to move to something more substantial, please
post again with that information.
--
Jonny
"Doug Steckel" wrote in message
...
Hello all,

I'm getting some conflicting advice on the best mix to use for setting
fence posts for a 6ft vinyl privacy fence. I've been told that any
Quikrete mix (like the #1101) will set up if poured dry. I've also been
told that the fast setting the fast setting #1004 is far better. Someone
even told me that the non-fast setting will only have half the strength of
the red bag, fast setting mix if poured dry. I'd like to save some money
if possible but don't want to sacrifice strength over the years as this
fence will catch lots of wind over the years.

Any advice?

Thanks,

Doug

Am I missing somethin' here or what?....................

All theses posts, and Doug Steckel hasn't replied..

He's either gone to another group.............or he's out there doin'
the job....hope so......

atta' boy doug........Sky