Building steel entrance (treatment for the pipe thats in the ground)???

[pharmvet]

When you use steel pipe to build corrals, fence, entry way etc, do you paint or otherwise treat the pipe that goes in the ground / concrete? If so, what is the best way to slow down rust and deterioration in the pipe in the ground.

 

[inveresk]

One way is to bury a piece of magnesium at the bottom of the post to act as a sacrificial anode.

 

[Egon]

Expanding on Inveresk's statement; do a search on Sacrificial Anodes and also on Cathodic Protection.

These type of systems may work better than home applied coating?

 

[jinman]

Considering the longevity of T-posts I have seen, I think your pipe fence will last a long time in North Texas with no protection whatsoever considering the lack of failures with fences using oil field pipe. Certainly using galvanized pipe would also ensure a very long life. Surely, use of sacrificial metals would work, but you might check with fence builders in your area to see if anyone normally does that. Maybe a PM to wroughtn_harv would be helpful. He sure knows his fences.:thumbsup:

 

[SandburRanch]

When you use steel pipe to build corrals, fence, entry way etc, do you paint or otherwise treat the pipe that goes in the ground / concrete? If so, what is the best way to slow down rust and deterioration in the pipe in the ground.

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If the pipe is already a little rusty, an important step would be to neutralize the rust with any one of the many products on the market. This will need to be done if you paint them. As for that below grade anything below about 12 inch depth usually isn't much of a problem because of a lack of oxygen but a coating of roofing cement may make them last through the next generation. Cap the tops to prevent water entering the inside, especially if concrete would prevent water drainage into the soil at the bottom.

 

[firedog]

I believe the sacrificial anode is the way to go, but rather than burying it at the bottom of the post, you may want to connect it by wire (similar to grounding). magnesium is best, after that aluminum. I'm currently using alum. rods connected by alum. wire for my fence.
This way you can monitor the rod(s) and replace when they are severely corroded.