Contractor Talk - Construction and Remodeling Site
CLICK HERE AND JOIN OUR COMMUNITY TODAY...IT'S FREE!
Go Back   Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum > Trade Talk > Carpentry > Decks & Fencing

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 08-31-2009, 02:50 PM   #1
New Guy
Trade: Landscape
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 25
Post Holes Below Water Table!

Any suggestions on how the heck I can dig these post holes. Definitly need some help if anyone knows the trick with this.

4 seasons lawn& is offline   Reply With Quote
Warning: The topics covered on this site include activities in which there exists the potential for serious injury or death. ContractorTalk.com DOES NOT guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information contained on this site. Always use proper safety precaution and reference reliable outside sources before attempting any construction or remodeling task!

Join Contractor Talk

Join the #1 Contractor Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

ContractorTalk.com - Are you a Professional Contractor? If so we invite you to join our community and see what it has to offer. Our site is specifically designed for you and it's the leading place for contractors to meet online. No homeowners asking DIY questions. Just fellow tradesmen who enjoy talking about their business, their trade, and anything else that comes up. No matter what your trade is you'll find that ContractorTalk.com is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally free!

Join ContractorTalk.com - Click Here JOIN FOR FREE

Old 08-31-2009, 02:56 PM   #2
Pro
Trade: general contractor
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Sterling ,Alaska
Posts: 991
post holes for what, how deep?
__________________
http://sullcon.homestead.com/
mics_54 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2009, 03:35 PM   #3
The Old Master
 
Plumber_Bill's Avatar
Trade: Plumbing & Heating
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Allentown, PA
Posts: 91
Quote:
Originally Posted by 4 seasons lawn& View Post
Any suggestions on how the heck I can dig these post holes. Definitly need some help if anyone knows the trick with this.

Like for a dock ???

Watched a guy do this at Lake Harmony PA.

Here is an article on it.

http://www.wikihow.com/Install-Posts...a-Dock-or-Pier
__________________
Bill Parr L.M.P. www.parrsplumbing.com
This and That
for a job that's up to "PAR"
Plumber_Bill is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Plumber_Bill For This Useful Post:
curapa (08-31-2009)
Old 08-31-2009, 05:14 PM   #4
New Guy
Trade: Landscape
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 25
just regular 3 ft post holes... for a fence in NY. The water table is right there at like 2 feet under the grass.
4 seasons lawn& is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2009, 05:16 PM   #5
Pro
 
concretemasonry's Avatar
Trade: Masonry consultant
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 1,621
Post for a fence or a deck?

Pouring concrete below water is not as big a problem that can be for excavation of a hole. just dig a hole as wide as necessary.

If it is for a deck, you just put in a Sonotube and pour in the concrete and force it below the water and it will displace the the water upward and then inset a connector into the wet concrete for the post attachment. - Similar to building a bridge abutment.

If it is just for a fence, use the method necessary for the type of soil and amount of water that is there. Then fill with gravel and hopefully compact around the plumbed (and braced) post. If you chose to use Sonotube to minimize the concrete amount, do not put rock/gravel under the post bottom but use conctrete under it. If you are below the water table, the rock will provide a good source of water for the post to absorb water and suck it up.

More information on the use, soil type and amount of water coming in would be helpful.
__________________
Dick

Engineer, designer and consultant recently active internationally on construction and design in about 35 countries.
concretemasonry is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2009, 05:51 PM   #6
New Guy
Trade: Landscape
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 25
thanks, so this is for a fence. All dry construction no cement. Ill compact crusher run around the post to set it. Post material probably isn't a factor but its stone if that matters.

Water fills half of the 30" deep hole about 5 minutes after shop vacing it out. Major PITA! I have no clue how to complete this job... or start it


I guess I never mentioned the most important part and thats the fact that I cant go any deeper. The sides just mush in! The native soil seems to actually be fine gravel. Very fine, has NO "stickyness" at all. Way loose, easy digging is the only positive thing I can say.

Last edited by 4 seasons lawn&; 08-31-2009 at 05:55 PM.
4 seasons lawn& is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2009, 07:29 PM   #7
John Hyatt
 
John Hyatt's Avatar
Trade: out door areas, decks,spa room additions,fire pits
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Oklahoma City
Posts: 1,089
You need Pot Posts, no no no not that kind!! ghesssss Posts set in 5 gal buckets of creet. Dig out, splash in the PPs, backfill. J.
John Hyatt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2009, 07:35 PM   #8
New Guy
Trade: Landscape
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 25
that sounds awfull. I think i need the other kind. i hope this water receeds. Weve had like 20 inches of rain this month.
4 seasons lawn& is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-01-2009, 07:33 PM   #9
New Guy
Trade: Landscape
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 25
no one has encountered this problem at all??? I guess ill just wait to see if the water table goes down. If not then.......IDK
4 seasons lawn& is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-01-2009, 08:15 PM   #10
Pro
 
curapa's Avatar
Trade: carpentry / fencing / decks
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Savannah, Ga
Posts: 1,019
Quote:
Originally Posted by 4 seasons lawn& View Post
no one has encountered this problem at all??? I guess ill just wait to see if the water table goes down. If not then.......IDK
John Hyatt gave you a pretty good solution.
__________________
www.ParkerFenceandDeck.com
curapa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-01-2009, 08:18 PM   #11
John Hyatt
 
John Hyatt's Avatar
Trade: out door areas, decks,spa room additions,fire pits
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Oklahoma City
Posts: 1,089
4 person...If you want Quality Oats You Will Pay a Quality Price.

But if you dont mind Oats that have been thru the Mule just one time..Lets Make a Deal!!!!

DumbAss

Jon Mon.
John Hyatt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2009, 10:47 AM   #12
New Guy
Trade: Landscape
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 25
whatever size the concrete is they still have to be 3 ft in the ground to ensure against heaving and I cant dig the holes under water without them caving in. If you think anyone is going to excavate 27 cubic feet of dirt per post hole to achieve the 3 foot depth without them caving in, all for a picket fence then your a new kind of stupid.
4 seasons lawn& is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2009, 11:16 AM   #13
DavidC
 
DavidC's Avatar
Trade: Remodeler
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: NNY
Posts: 1,528
Cut the bottom out of a plastic pail and hold the walls back as you dig. If you don't get below the frost line with water that shallow you will have your fence post heaved right up. If it was me I'd set them posts in tamped gravel or crushed stone below the frost line.

Good Luck
Dave
__________________
www.CookContractingLLC.com

"If the front door is locked, check all the windows and if that fails cut a hole in the roof." BenHur
DavidC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2009, 11:21 AM   #14
Pro
Trade: general contractor
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Sterling ,Alaska
Posts: 991
Quote:
If it was me I'd set them posts in tamped gravel or crushed stone below the frost line.
...which would be below the water level unless its just seasonal ...water tables don't freeze.
__________________
http://sullcon.homestead.com/
mics_54 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2009, 11:24 AM   #15
DavidC
 
DavidC's Avatar
Trade: Remodeler
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: NNY
Posts: 1,528
Not to belabor the point but, there is a river behind my house that doesn't freeze even at -30F, but it does get kind of hard on the top.

Good Luck
Dave
__________________
www.CookContractingLLC.com

"If the front door is locked, check all the windows and if that fails cut a hole in the roof." BenHur
DavidC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2009, 03:45 PM   #16
Kauai Handyman
 
Aaron111's Avatar
Trade: Honolulu, Hi Handyman Remodeler 510-868-8807
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Kauai, Hawaii
Posts: 62
Send a message via MSN to Aaron111 Send a message via Yahoo to Aaron111
Red face good question

Quote:
Originally Posted by mics_54 View Post
post holes for what, how deep?

He might be = referring to fence holes
__________________
Oahu-Handyman Honolulu - The Handyman Blog - Handyman Boards - Make Educated Decisions Take Omega-3 Fish Oil
Aaron111 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-03-2009, 06:38 PM   #17
Registered User
Trade: framing contractor
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 4
pre fab some concrete pillars 3' (plus what ever you want to stick above ground) with an anchor bolt in the top, when they get hard just rip off the plywood and throw'm in the hole, stand back so you dont get wet.
travis framing is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-03-2009, 07:25 PM   #18
Pro
Trade: Deck Builder
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Austin, Tx.
Posts: 1,041
They got a name for it down here in Texas, wherewithall, it's what you need to be a contractor. Sound like you're lacking it if a couple of post holes are kicking you in the arse.
__________________
Deckman
www.alscustomdecks.com
deckman22 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-03-2009, 08:06 PM   #19
New Guy
Trade: Landscape
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 25
Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidC View Post
Cut the bottom out of a plastic pail and hold the walls back as you dig. If you don't get below the frost line with water that shallow you will have your fence post heaved right up. If it was me I'd set them posts in tamped gravel or crushed stone below the frost line.

Good Luck
Dave


Im going to try this. thanks!
4 seasons lawn& is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
How To Post Nathan Site Help and Suggestions 0 12-08-2008 05:33 PM
Post holes omnibuilder Construction 7 12-12-2006 06:52 PM
Brick Footer and Water Proofing emtaboy Excavation & Site Work 24 07-24-2006 08:48 PM


Top of Page | View New Posts


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:39 AM.


Contractor Talk™ © 2003 - 2009 The Building Network LLC