I plan to remove a chain link fence from my back yard. I have read
plenty of posts suggesting different ways of doing this, and sense I
cannot get a vehicle into my back yard, I plan to dig out the posts.
However, I am concerned about the holes that will be left behind. No
one seems to mention the best method of refilling these holes. What
is the best practice for refilling the post hole? Should I use dirt,
sand, a combination of both, or something else? Thanks for your input.

Quote: Digilla wrote on Sat, 25 August 2007 15:35
----------------------------------------------------
I plan to remove a chain link fence from my back yard. I have read
plenty of posts suggesting different ways of doing this, and sense I
cannot get a vehicle into my back yard, I plan to dig out the posts.
However, I am concerned about the holes that will be left behind. No
one seems to mention the best method of refilling these holes. What
is the best practice for refilling the post hole? Should I use dirt,
sand, a combination of both, or something else? Thanks for your input.
----------------------------------------------------

Best to just refill with what is already around there. Probably just dirt. Just make sure you tamp it down regularly as you fill to knock out any large void areas. Of course you can spread in gravel and sand but just for filler, and be aware that the gravel might show up again if you do any future digging in the area.

--
Richard Thoms
President - Top Service Pros, Inc.
Connecting Homeowners and Local Service Professionals
http://www.TopServicePros.com

"Digilla" wrote in message
ups.com...

I plan to remove a chain link fence from my back yard. I have read
plenty of posts suggesting different ways of doing this, and sense I
cannot get a vehicle into my back yard, I plan to dig out the posts.
However, I am concerned about the holes that will be left behind. No

You do not say what the posts are made of or
what diameter. If metal (with no concrete base)
it may be faster to remove them by pulling them
out, leaving smaller holes to refill. The two methods:
-- brute force, e.g. by a tractor or car on a paved
roadway. The vehicle does not have to be near:
you can use a long cable.
-- levering the posts vertically upward. You can
place your fulcrum so as to multiply the force
applied.

Post holes of 2" diameter or less may need
no special filling thereafter: or you can cut
lengths of 2x2" scrap lumber that come up to
within 2" of the soil surface.

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)

dirt is what came out. Put dirt back.

s


"Digilla" wrote in message
ups.com...
I plan to remove a chain link fence from my back yard. I have read
plenty of posts suggesting different ways of doing this, and sense I
cannot get a vehicle into my back yard, I plan to dig out the posts.
However, I am concerned about the holes that will be left behind. No
one seems to mention the best method of refilling these holes. What
is the best practice for refilling the post hole? Should I use dirt,
sand, a combination of both, or something else? Thanks for your input.

"Digilla" wrote in message
ups.com...
I plan to remove a chain link fence from my back yard. I have read
plenty of posts suggesting different ways of doing this, and sense I
cannot get a vehicle into my back yard, I plan to dig out the posts.
However, I am concerned about the holes that will be left behind. No
one seems to mention the best method of refilling these holes. What
is the best practice for refilling the post hole? Should I use dirt,
sand, a combination of both, or something else? Thanks for your input.


Combination. Tamp it tight as you fill it up with a 4 x 4 or a pole.

Steve

Digilla wrote:
I plan to remove a chain link fence from my back yard. I have read
plenty of posts suggesting different ways of doing this, and sense I
cannot get a vehicle into my back yard, I plan to dig out the posts.
However, I am concerned about the holes that will be left behind. No
one seems to mention the best method of refilling these holes. What
is the best practice for refilling the post hole? Should I use dirt,
sand, a combination of both, or something else? Thanks for your
input.

Don't dig. Easier with a small length of chain and a bumper jack.

On Sat, 25 Aug 2007 13:35:27 -0700, Digilla wrote:

I plan to remove a chain link fence from my back yard. I have read
plenty of posts suggesting different ways of doing this, and sense I
cannot get a vehicle into my back yard, I plan to dig out the posts.
However, I am concerned about the holes that will be left behind. No
one seems to mention the best method of refilling these holes. What
is the best practice for refilling the post hole? Should I use dirt,
sand, a combination of both, or something else? Thanks for your input.


Topsoil should work well if you are planting something on top. I'd
fill these holes as soon as possible to prevent injury or liability.
You might advertise your fence for a low cost (or even free) but the
buyer must remove it--that will save you some work.

"Digilla" wrpte"
I plan to remove a chain link fence from my back yard. I have read
plenty of posts suggesting different ways of doing this, and sense I
cannot get a vehicle into my back yard, I plan to dig out the posts.

Use an angle grinder to cut the posts off flush with the ground, and just
leave the post bottoms/concrete in the ground where they are.

Offer the fence and posts as free in Craigslist, and someone will come by
and pick them up for you.

Jon

"Digilla" wrote in message
ups.com...
I plan to remove a chain link fence from my back yard. I have read
plenty of posts suggesting different ways of doing this, and sense I
cannot get a vehicle into my back yard, I plan to dig out the posts.
However, I am concerned about the holes that will be left behind. No
one seems to mention the best method of refilling these holes. What
is the best practice for refilling the post hole? Should I use dirt,
sand, a combination of both, or something else? Thanks for your input.

I like the idea of using a car jack. That saves a lot of calories digging.
Soak the ground around each post anchor, first, then use a broad base, like
a 2x12 piece of scrap lumber, as a jack base.
I wouldn't leave the cement anchors there, it just puts off the problem you
face if you want another fence there.
Roger

On Aug 25, 4:29 pm, "Roger Taylor" sherryrogeratcomcastdotnet wrote:
"Digilla" wrote in message

ups.com...

I plan to remove a chain link fence from my back yard. I have read
plenty of posts suggesting different ways of doing this, and sense I
cannot get a vehicle into my back yard, I plan to dig out the posts.
However, I am concerned about the holes that will be left behind. No
one seems to mention the best method of refilling these holes. What
is the best practice for refilling the post hole? Should I use dirt,
sand, a combination of both, or something else? Thanks for your input.

I like the idea of using a car jack. That saves a lot of calories digging.
Soak the ground around each post anchor, first, then use a broad base, like
a 2x12 piece of scrap lumber, as a jack base.
I wouldn't leave the cement anchors there, it just puts off the problem you
face if you want another fence there.
Roger



- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Second that. Much easier to remove the part in the ground when you
have a 'handle' attached. Not fun to run into a chunk of concrete or
pipe when you are doing some gardening or landscaping

Harry K

On Aug 25, 5:02 pm, "HeyBub" wrote:
Digilla wrote:
I plan to remove a chain link fence from my back yard.

snip

Don't dig. Easier with a small length of chain and a bumper jack.

Bumper jacks are hard to find these days. An alternative is a so-
called 'farm jack' from Northern Tools or Harbor Freight. Farm supply
stores will also have post jacks that are in the $40 range.
Tearing out the posts with a long chain and a pickup truck is a lot
more fun though. If you generate a lot of tire smoke, keep the beer
out of sight in case someone calls the authorities. Some people are
just sooo humorless...

Joe

"Joe" wrote in message
oups.com...
On Aug 25, 5:02 pm, "HeyBub" wrote:
Digilla wrote:
I plan to remove a chain link fence from my back yard.

snip

Don't dig. Easier with a small length of chain and a bumper jack.

Bumper jacks are hard to find these days. An alternative is a so-
called 'farm jack' from Northern Tools or Harbor Freight. Farm supply
stores will also have post jacks that are in the $40 range.
Tearing out the posts with a long chain and a pickup truck is a lot
more fun though. If you generate a lot of tire smoke, keep the beer
out of sight in case someone calls the authorities. Some people are
just sooo humorless...

Joe


Neighbor tried that one day and not sure if it was a chain or cable he used.
when it pulled the post out of the ground , it threw it hard enough against
the back glass it broke the glass. As the glass was already broken, he
pulled out about 4 more he wanted out.

Thanks to all those who responded for all the great ideas. I wish I
could get a pickup truck in my back yard. That sounds like too much
fun!!!

On Sun, 26 Aug 2007 17:12:17 -0700, Digilla wrote:

Thanks to all those who responded for all the great ideas. I wish I
could get a pickup truck in my back yard. That sounds like too much
fun!!!

Can you rent or find a landscaper with a tree mover (tree toad). Grasp
the pole and cement with three spades and dolly off site.

Don't buy, but rent..dos centavos.

http://www.treetoad.com/models.asp
--
Oren

"I didn’t say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you."