New privacy fence bowed down from wind

[tman1020]

I pulled some of the post back and braced them for now so the wind doesn't do anymore damage. I think what I am going to do is dig down about 1' on each post and fill the top with another back of concrete mix. I think having the bottom already in concrete and then pouring a bag on top, that should stead this from happening again. Trying to dig the hole completely back out is going to be too hard and possibly overkill. I have 20 post to dig out and I just got back from Lowe's and got 20 - 80lb bags of concrete mix. I did think about just bracing it for the winter and let the dirt settle which may work, but I would feel better putting concrete in the top part of the hole. We never had wind like this before. Crazy.

Look I installed fences for over 10 years of all kinds. A lot of the techniques people are mentioning here work for specific applications there are also some specifics that are supposed to be followed about hole size and depth according to the load the fence is to be subject to. But this repair you're talking about should work just fine filling the hole with concrete is generally the best way however if you are only going to use a small amount of concrete application such as this The concrete should always be at the top of the hole not the bottom especially in softer ground. Just try to get the concrete a minimum of three times the diameter of the hole and down at least 6 to 8 inches from the top for your repair.

 

[lzicc]

I got the fence fixed. I dug down and good 8 to 10" depending and filled the holes up to the top with concrete. Let's hope this fixes the issue once and for all.

Looking back, I wish I would have just filled the holes completely with concrete since I did auger 12" holes. It may be overkill, but it wouldn't have went anywhere. The ground was pretty wet when I augured the holes due to all the rain we have been getting and the time of year. I hate doing things twice, but it could have been worse.

I think even if we do get another good wind, the concrete on the top of the hole should keep it from bowing over again. We never get the kind of wind speed that we had that day.

 

[check]

Don't any of you guys use Sono tubes?

 

[tman1020]

Don't any of you guys use Sono tubes?

Sono tubes have their place but generally a waste of time in application like this.

 

[tman1020]

Good glad you got it fixed should be fine.

 

[check]

Sono tubes have their place but generally a waste of time in application like this.

Why so?

 

[tman1020]

Sono tubes create a nice neat hole where loose soil makes this difficult to achieve. In soil that is self supporting such as clay for a fence post application there is no advantage. It just creates more expense and a additional step.

 

[Creamer]

Sono tubes create a nice neat hole where loose soil makes this difficult to achieve. In soil that is self supporting such as clay for a fence post application there is no advantage. It just creates more expense and a additional step.

Agreed - now you would have to fill and pack around the sono tube whereas the concrete just the fills the hole and you are done with it.

 

[Coyote machine]

Agreed - now you would have to fill and pack around the sono tube whereas the concrete just the fills the hole and you are done with it.

Evidently not. In the OP's case the wind and wet ground worked against the concrete curing due to too much water and the high winds. Additionally, the use of sono tubes could have allowed for proper curing, BUT due to the wet ground and wind the sono tubes and fence/posts could have still moved. Bracing the fence while the concrete, in either form, bare in ground or in tubes might have prevented the bowing. No way to tell now.

 

[Mace Canute]

Evidently not. In the OP's case the wind and wet ground worked against the concrete curing due to too much water and the high winds. Additionally, the use of sono tubes could have allowed for proper curing, BUT due to the wet ground and wind the sono tubes and fence/posts could have still moved. Bracing the fence while the concrete, in either form, bare in ground or in tubes might have prevented the bowing. No way to tell now.

I believe that is incorrect. From FAQs

Will concrete harden under water?

Portland cement is a hydraulic cement which means that it sets and hardens due to a chemical reaction with water. Consequently, it will harden under water.

They also say Type I is a general purpose portland cement suitable for most uses and Type II is used for structures in water.

From what they say in this site Curing in Construction it would also appear water is not a detriment to concrete curing.

There are three main functions of curing:

1) Maintaining mixing water in concrete during the early hardening process

Ponding and immersion
Ponding is typically used to cure flat surfaces on smaller jobs. Care should be taken to maintain curing water temperature at not more than 20 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than the concrete to prevent cracking due to thermal stresses. Immersion is mainly used in the laboratory for curing concrete test specimens.

Spraying and fogging
Spraying and fogging are used when the ambient temperatures are well above freezing and the humidity is low. Fogging can minimize plastic shrinkage cracking until the concrete attains final set.

Saturated wet coverings
Wet coverings saturated with water should be used after concrete has hardened enough to prevent surface damage. They should be kept constantly wet.

Left in Place Forms
Left in place forms usually provide satisfactory protection against moisture loss for formed concrete surfaces. The forms are usually left in place as long as the construction schedule allows. If the forms are made of wood, they should be kept moist, especially during hot, dry weather.