Page 1 of 2
Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 11:58 am
by Matt13
Hi Im Matt, this is my first post on this site, im a keen DIYer from Culcheth.
Im about to install my first fence using concrete posts.
The main site instructs me to use a dry mix concrete around the post base and then wet the mix once bedded around the post.
Please can somone tell me what ratio to mix the concrete or should I buy post mix?
Many thanks
Matt
Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 12:34 pm
by London Stone Paving
Mix should be 4 parts ballast and 1 part cement.
Post mix will be quicker and will require a lot less messing about.
Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 12:42 pm
by Matt13
Thanks alot for your advice.
Can you recommend any post mix?
Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 2:42 pm
by peg basher
post mix will cost you a lot more than mixing your own! i would suggest using about half a bag of post mix to each post just to get them set and then 'top' the concrete up around each post with traditional self mixed concrete. make sure that you wedge some bricks or lumps of old concrete down the sides of each post to help get them set and stop them leaning. Good Luck!
Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 5:07 pm
by local patios and driveway
post crete will hold your post in place pretty well after about 10 mins, we dont use anything but postcrete these days, hassle free
Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 5:32 pm
by lutonlagerlout
i used post crete for some unwanted bollards the other week and was well impressed
it had to go off quick to stop the buggers pulling them out and it was off rock hard in 15 minutes
remember with fencing its a post each end then string a line through the tops
then do a post,measure 1800 ,dig next hole,fix first panel then fix second post ad infinitum
i can guarantee if you try and dig your holes first it will be a nightmare
LLL
Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 5:42 pm
by London Stone Paving
peg basher wrote:post mix will cost you a lot more than mixing your own!
By the time you have included the extra labour to mix the stuff, clean up the mess, buy a wheelbarrow to mix in it is probarbly more economical to buy the post mix.
Its also easier to move around site and less messy
Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 5:43 pm
by London Stone Paving
lutonlagerlout wrote:i can guarantee if you try and dig your holes first it will be a nightmare
LLL
Tried that once. 
Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 5:54 pm
by jonnyboyentire
Some good advice up there Matt.
Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2011 8:24 am
by Matt13
Thanks all, I think I will buy the postcrete, save time and labour. Will follow the 1 hole at a time advice.
Many thanks guys.
Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2011 7:55 pm
by Bob_A
I've used Postcrete it's great stuff but expensive.
Got mine on buy 2 get 1 free from Wickes.
Current deal http://search.wickes.co.uk/search#w=postcrete&asug=
While it was wet I chucked in some 20mm gravel down the hole to make it go further
Also try to keep the diameter of the hole as small as possible, I used a cheap post hole borer and it worked ok for me.
Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2011 10:09 pm
by hondacrm
I did sum quick sums and reckon postcrete is 3 times the price of buying ballast and cement. I have done 3 of the 5 posts i need to install for my fence and it as taken 3 barrow loads of handmix per post. I'm digging with a cable spade so my post holes aren't narrow, it kills my back but it's part of the challenge.....
Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2011 1:06 am
by lutonlagerlout
the most important thing with any post holes is the depth
600 minimum i go 700 if i can
its all about mechanical advantage
400 deep hole with 100kg of concrete is not as strong as a 600 holes with 35kg
LLL
Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2011 6:59 am
by Dave_L
Postcrete is the best stuff ever invented! We use loads of it for all sorts of jobs, including setting fenceposts. Usually use a bag to set the post then top it up with some gen1 to finish.
Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 3:32 pm
by Matt13
Hi
I put the fence up at the weekend, all went well. Went with post crete from Wickes, it was on offer for just over £3 per bag, also got a drain spade which made life a lot easier.
Many thanks for the help and advice, its really appreciated.