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Hot take: I thought I could eyeball a 6-foot post hole in wet clay.
I was setting a line of cedar posts in my own backyard in Tacoma after a heavy rain, and the whole first one just tipped over like a drunk sailor when I leaned the rail on it. I ended up having to dig them all out and start over with a proper level and a bag of quick-set mix for each one. How do you guys deal with unstable soil when you're on a tight schedule?
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henryt1814d ago
Ask about the crushed rock, @harperp24. What size gravel do you find works best for that base layer? I've tried pea gravel before and it just seemed to disappear into the mud.
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harperp2414d ago
Been there with that slick, heavy clay. It just won't hold shape. For a quick fix on a schedule, packing a few inches of crushed rock into the bottom of the hole before setting the post makes a world of difference. It gives the water somewhere to go and creates a solid base. I'll also mix the concrete a bit on the dry side for wet holes, so it sets up firm instead of turning to soup. It adds maybe ten minutes per post but saves a full redo later.
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