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My uncle said to always set posts in concrete, even for a basic chain link job.
He claimed it was the only way to stop leaning over time. I did a 200 foot run in a new development last spring and followed his advice. The ground was heavy clay and after the first big rain, three posts cracked right at the base from the pressure. A guy I met at a supply house later said in that soil, you need to use gravel for drainage and let the posts flex a bit. Who's right here, the concrete camp or the gravel crew?
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mia_baker16d ago
Ever notice how a lot of old rules break when the conditions change? Your uncle's concrete rule works in stable, dry soil, but like @paul_ramirez found out, heavy clay is a different beast. It holds water, freezes, and pushes hard, so a rigid post just snaps. The gravel method isn't worse, it's just right for that specific, tricky ground.
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paul_ramirez16d ago
Man, that's the kind of mistake you only make once. I went all-in on concrete for a little shed base in my backyard, same clay situation. Poured it like a fortress, felt so smart. Next spring, the whole slab looked like a tiny earthquake hit it, just hairline cracks everywhere from the freeze and push. So yeah, I'm firmly in the gravel crew now for anything in that heavy, wet ground. Lets the water drain and gives it room to move without breaking. Your uncle's method works great until the dirt decides to fight back.
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