Setting Fence Posts in water

[Eric_Phillips]

I have come to an area in my pasture where the water table is only about three feet down. I dug a hole for a corner post and the bottom several inches is full of water. My system has been to set the corner and brace posts in concrete and the line posts are just driven. The soil is very sandy. Is the bottom of the post just going to rot? Should I start to drive the corners and braces so they will be easier to remove when they rot?

 

[kidr]

How about sliding a piece of pvc with a cap, over the post to waterproof it?

 

[ToadHill]

See if any one around you has any Black Locust and use those posts in the wet areas. Black locust will survive in wet conditions for over 50 years, I have some posts in an old pasture that I know have been there for going on 75 years.

 

[20 20]

I'm with black locust also

 

[J_J]

Perhaps something like this would work. Take a 5 gal bucket and then coat the post with a sealant and place in bucket. Then add enough cement to fill the bucket, and when dry, just set the post, bucket and all.

Home Depot has a PVC post that slips over a 4 x 4 wood post. Just cap one end and place rebar in the center, and fill it up with cement. You could also add metal fingers to hold some wire.

 

[Eric_Phillips]

From what I have read before people were saying not to have concrete under the end of the post since it could trap water like a cup and hold it around the post. In this case where I am knowingly putting the post in water maybe trapping a little water in a cup is better. If so I could just dump the concrete in the bottom of the hole and not worry about a bucket. I am using 6-7" round posts on the corners so the PVC might be hard to come by. The black locust sounds good but I am not sure where to get it. When I went looking for round posts I could only find them at TSC.

 

[ToadHill]

I know that Black locuse grown in our area, I have about 2 acres of it on one of my hills. Perhaps you can call the local extension to see if they know of a stand in the Rochester area. Also try some local tree removal services.

All you have to do is strip off the bark and set them. When green the bark comes off in a snap.

As a last resort if you are willing to make the drive I can cut a few for you.

 

[forgeblast]

you could always post an ad on craigs list or call some lumberjacks or arborists, they know where to find everything.

 

[PBinWA]

You should be able to buy marine grade pressure treated lumber. They have different levels of treating for different applications. You could also coat the posts with some form of roofing tar to add extra protection.

 

[Ford850]

Just set the post as you would your others. Posts will rot off quicker in drier ground than water soaked ground. Ever notice how long stumps last in man made lakes? There's less oxygen and therefore slower deterioration.