Methods used for setting post?

[Megado]

I'm hoping to start a Monitor style pole barn this spring and was curious to see how most of you set your post, along with the type of backfill used (concrete, sand, clay, etc)? Looking at 36'x30' or perhaps 36'x36' with 6"x8" PT post. I'm in S.E. Texas where freezing or frost line is not an issue.

Thanks in advance for thoughts or advice!

Jim H.

 

[rexcramer]

Here in the freeze belt I used 12" diameter concrete "cookies" in the bottom of my post holes which had to be 42" deep. The posts set on top of the cookie and then I put 100# on concrete mix in to set the post firmly. Fill the rest with sand.

 

[RussMan]

I'm hoping to start a Monitor style pole barn this spring and was curious to see how most of you set your post, along with the type of backfill used (concrete, sand, clay, etc)? Looking at 36'x30' or perhaps 36'x36' with 6"x8" PT post. I'm in S.E. Texas where freezing or frost line is not an issue.

Thanks in advance for thoughts or advice!

Jim H.

Megado, I am going to build a similar barn this summer, so am curious to know your plans? Do you have a loft? Where did you find plans (or are you just building as yu go?)

 

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

I've done it 2 ways - first by drilling a hole in my post to put a chunk of rebar in then pouring concrete around it to within about 6" of the surface - then filling the rest with backfill. (painted the parts of the post going in the ground with rubberized undercoating) holes were about 3' deep with gravel on the bottom.

second was to use an 8" sonotube to pour a concrete pier then used a simpson post anchor to attach the pole where it's above ground and water can't collect to rot it. (yes, even green treated will eventually rot - at least in NE Ks clay...) poured concrete, stuck in 4 pieces of #4 rebar to help it survive minor cracks, and the stuff that oozed out the bottom gave me my "cookie" effect. filled hole with dirt after curing and tamped it down with rock bar.

both methods have survived 70+mph winds in summer storms.

 

[Megado]

Russman - As of now I'm drafting up a set of drawings that I'll build off of. Basically everything going into the drawings is from research I've done on TBN. As we all know, this site is the best thing since sliced bread (as the saying goes). The wealth of knowledge is vast and I've learned a tremendous amount just thumbing through the various threads. My biggest problem at the moment is me suffering from analysis paralysis. I've been so busy analyzing every aspect of building this barn that nothing has gotten started. My wife finally laid down the law and said to get things rolling or she'll go find someone to put it up for her. Yikes! I've been following the thread by SteelDust Want to see yet another pole building? - Page 3 - TractorByNet.com and really like what he's done so far. Hopefully he'll update soon with new photos and progress report. To answer your question though...yes I do plan on having a loft. Will be used mainly for misc storage since horse stalls and hay storage are not in the picture at the moment.

I was talking with a buddy contractor today and posed my same question to him to get his ideas on setting post. He mentioned something that I hadn't thought of and figured I'd throw it out there to see if anyone had any experience or thoughts on it. He said that he actually paints on or coats the in-ground portion of his PT post with roofing tar before setting them in place as an extra means of rot protection. Logically that makes sense. Has anyone done this?

Thanks for the replies so far...

Jim H.

 

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

megado,
I used rubberized undercoating -- $3 a can at Wallyworld -- because it actually cures. I've also known people who soaked their posts with used motor oil, but there are more cons than pros to that approach as far as I'm concerned.
The other thing I did was laminate my own posts out of 2X6's instead of using one solid pole -- saves some on overall cost and you also get more thoroughly treated lumber that way.

 

[Knotbored]

Has anyone considered making concrete poles?
I live in the northwest-wet area and every fence pole I ever set has molded away (cedar, green peelers, metal.)
It seems a 6X6" concrete pole with attachments to face them with 2X above ground would be solid, inexpensive and non-corroding.
I am considering an out-building but don't yet trust the pole barn concept.

 

[Megado]

I've spent time reading through a ton of threads on the topic since posting my question and found where "stone dust" seems to be a highly recommended backfill. However, no one seems to say where you can purchase stone dust? That's a material I haven't heard mentioned around my neck of the woods where my property is located near Brenham, Texas. Is it something that comes in bags and is available at building supply stores like McCoy's, Lowe's or HD? Or do you have to order a load from the quarry? The soil on my property is a mixture of sandy loam and clay. I noticed while tamping in fence post that clay compacts well, however, the sandy soil is too silty for good compaction. The stone dust seems like a good alternative if I can find it.

Thoughts?

 

[cowsrus]

Megado- around here we have what is called "screenings" which I think is what your talking about. The only place I know to get it is from a rock quarry. Anyone who hauls crushed stone should be able to get it. Or you could pick it up yourself if you just wanted a small amount.It is real fine rock and packs like cement with minimal amount of tamping.

 

[SteelDust]

Russman - As of now I'm drafting up a set of drawings that I'll build off of. Basically everything going into the drawings is from research I've done on TBN. As we all know, this site is the best thing since sliced bread (as the saying goes). The wealth of knowledge is vast and I've learned a tremendous amount just thumbing through the various threads. My biggest problem at the moment is me suffering from analysis paralysis. I've been so busy analyzing every aspect of building this barn that nothing has gotten started. My wife finally laid down the law and said to get things rolling or she'll go find someone to put it up for her. Yikes! I've been following the thread by SteelDust Want to see yet another pole building? - Page 3 - TractorByNet.com and really like what he's done so far. Hopefully he'll update soon with new photos and progress report. To answer your question though...yes I do plan on having a loft. Will be used mainly for misc storage since horse stalls and hay storage are not in the picture at the moment.

I was talking with a buddy contractor today and posed my same question to him to get his ideas on setting post. He mentioned something that I hadn't thought of and figured I'd throw it out there to see if anyone had any experience or thoughts on it. He said that he actually paints on or coats the in-ground portion of his PT post with roofing tar before setting them in place as an extra means of rot protection. Logically that makes sense. Has anyone done this?

Thanks for the replies so far...

Jim H.

Awful northwest weather and little daylight have slowed things down for me quite a bit. I'll bump the thread with a picture of where she stands now and continue to update as things move along.