Bemis Ready to Use Concrete ?

[Tube Audio]

Hi

I just had my fence posts replaced. The fence is redwood and the posts are pressure treated wood.

I arrived home just as they were finishing and saw them do the last two posts. They just poured a 60 lb bag of Bemis Concrete Ready to use in the hole and then added water. He had a big bar with a paddle on the end and he would move the bar up and down to mix it in another guy held the top of the fence and moved it back and forth so the cement would settle.

So my questions are, was this the correct way to mix the cement?

Also on most posts the top of the cement is well below ground level. Shouldn't the cement come up the posts an inch or so and be tapered down the sides of the post? He needs to come back out as he didn't install the lag bolts, these are sister posts. Am thinking of asking him to add more cement?

Thanks

[hallerb]

yeah its normal today and should last as long as concrete mixed in a wheel barrow and dumped.

although long term you would of been better off with PVC post bottoms holding your redwood posts just above grade

[Big_Jake]

My local Menards sells "Post Set" concrete which has directions on the bag that are pretty much exactly what your contractor is doing. This post set concrete is a faster setting type than the normal ready-to- mix stuff.

It wouldn't be a bad thing to have more concrete in the hole.

JK

[Steve]

"Tube Audio" wrote in news:63PSj.14524$ [e-mail]:

This is an acceptable way to mix the concrete. It's fine for something you'll never see. You wouldn't want to do this for a sidewalk.

You'll get different advice from different people. Everyone has his favorite way of finishing off the posts. It wouldn't hurt a bit to have the concrete show above the dirt and be sloped to shed water. On the other hand, I can't say for sure it will help. The posts might rot out prematurely either way.

If you were my customer, I'd do whatever you prefer.

[aemeijers]

Or at a minimum, surround the bottom foot or so of the post in the hole with gravel- cover the bottom of the hole with gravel, put the post in, pour in some more gravel, and only then add concrete. The wood should never sit in a concrete pocket- that will rot it off at a young age. And yes, 'coning' the top so water doesn't pond against the wood is also a good idea.

It all depend how long you want the fence to last.

-- aem sends...