Post Holes Below Water Table! - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

4 seasons lawn& · 08-31-2009, 02:50 PM

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

mics_54 · 08-31-2009, 02:56 PM

post holes for what, how deep?

Plumber_Bill · 08-31-2009, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4 seasons lawn&

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

4 seasons lawn& · 08-31-2009, 05:14 PM

just regular 3 ft post holes... for a fence in NY. The water table is right there at like 2 feet under the grass.

concretemasonry · 08-31-2009, 05:16 PM

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.

4 seasons lawn& · 08-31-2009, 05:51 PM

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.

John Hyatt · 08-31-2009, 07:29 PM

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.

4 seasons lawn& · 08-31-2009, 07:35 PM

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& · 09-01-2009, 07:33 PM

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

curapa · 09-01-2009, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4 seasons lawn&

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.

John Hyatt · 09-01-2009, 08:18 PM

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.

4 seasons lawn& · 09-02-2009, 10:47 AM

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.

DavidC · 09-02-2009, 11:16 AM

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

mics_54 · 09-02-2009, 11:21 AM

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.

DavidC · 09-02-2009, 11:24 AM

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

Aaron111 · 09-02-2009, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mics_54

post holes for what, how deep?

He might be = referring to fence holes

travis framing · 09-03-2009, 06:38 PM

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.

deckman22 · 09-03-2009, 07:25 PM

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.

4 seasons lawn& · 09-03-2009, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidC

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!