Tried a new way to set a post in wet ground and it actually worked

Had a job last week in a low spot that was just mush after the rain. The hole kept filling with water. Normally I'd wait a day or come back, but the homeowner needed it done. I saw an old timer on a different site pack pea gravel around the base of the post before the concrete. Figured I'd give it a shot. Used about half a bag of gravel, tamped it down hard, then poured the mix. Came back yesterday to check it. Post is solid as a rock, no lean at all. I guess the gravel lets the water drain down instead of pooling under the concrete. Anyone else use this trick for soggy spots?

4 comments

4 Comments

wood.jana1mo ago

Gravel's good, but you still need a proper concrete mix on top.

the_spencer1mo ago

Oh man, pat_harris's funhouse mirror shed is the perfect example. I read a whole article on this last month, and @wood.jana has it exactly right. The gravel base is just for drainage and a level start, but it moves way too much on its own. You need that solid concrete slab on top to lock everything in place for good.

mason.drew22d ago

Doesn't that apply to so many things though? People try to cut one corner and end up making twice the work for themselves down the road. It's like painting without primer - sure it saves time now, but you'll be scraping and redoing it a year later.

pat_harris1mo ago

My uncle tried the gravel-only method for his shed base last year. Honestly, @wood.jana is right, because that thing shifted so much by spring it looked like a funhouse mirror. You can't just skip the concrete mix and hope the gravel fairy does the rest. It's like building a house on a bag of marbles. Tbh, seeing people try to cut that corner gives me second-hand stress. Save yourself a huge headache and just do the full job right the first time.