Gravel base beat concrete on my last slope job

Last month, I was putting up a fence on a steep hill. Most crews I know swear by using concrete for every post. But I tried a gravel and stone base instead. It handled the water runoff way better and hasn't shifted at all. So, I'm not going back to concrete on slopes, no matter what others say.

4 comments

4 Comments

emma_perez11mo ago

Did you check the soil type before choosing gravel? I've seen gravel bases fail on clay slopes because water pools instead of draining. Using a mix of crushed stone and sand might help with that. Also, how deep did you dig the post holes for the gravel base?

uma_jenkins311mo ago

Oh wow, that actually makes me rethink my whole gravel choice.

gray3141mo ago

Six inches minimum for clay.

skyler2171mo ago

Remember when everyone used to just throw gravel down and call it a day? My neighbor did that for a path on his clay lot and it looked like a creek bed after one season. He ended up having to dig the whole mess out and put in a proper base. Watching that mess made me a total believer in doing it right the first time, even if it means more digging.