Footers

Canadian border VT had an interesting idea for installing posts but I forgot what it is. Maybe he can help. Consider a fourth side in the future. Birds get in an open build and poop all over your stuff.

 

I wouldn't use any concrete at all. What I do is just set the post in the hole and backfill with crushed rock, like with what we call a 1'' roadstone, something with fines. The key is to compact every inch of the fill all the way up. Overfill the hole so any water runs away from the post, don't ever let water sit against the post. I've demoed 100 year old sheds that were built that way with just untreated logs as poles that were good as new, and 20 year old buildings with poles set in concrete that were rotted off already. That's how they set wooden power line poles and they're in it for the long haul.

 

I wouldn't trust PT buried... telephone poles or locust I'd vote differently. Tar sounds like a good idea however.

Concrete and Simpson ties, more expensive for sure.

No building permit required?

 

You will have a lot of options that avoid the post either going in the ground or using something that protects the post from the concrete or moisture.

Try using the national frame builders association for information (NFBA). Many members have solutions that use methods to keep the post raised or protected.

Laminated posts are often used to provide additional strength, straightness and much better penetration of the treatment.

If it were me, I would keep the posts above ground and use laminated posts if you plan on staying there for a long time.

 

I need some post for a graden fence. I have some treated 2x8s that I scrounged.
I ripped them into 3" pieces. I'm going to screw them together to make 3x3 posts.
I had a gallon asphalt sealer left from some repairs I did. I thought...why not try this.


These are the sides that will go together. I'll treat the tops w/Thompsons.



Finish treating the tops and bottoms after they are assembled and a detail cut on
the top. Once the asphalt sealer drys, it is solid. I'm just going to drive them into the
ground. Should last a few years.

 

Huge difference between pole barn and a deck attached to home when talking about footings..

Challenge here is Well Seasoned location.. probably a 6-foot frost line and hurricane level wind Zone.. he is just North of Mount Washington

 

they make a foam for setting poles. It's a 2 part. Never tried it, looks interesting.

 

Foam is the best recommendation for below ground level setting of poles . just read up on that a couple months back.

 

When in the Mt. Washington area, do like the locals. Chain it down.



Sorry I really can't be of any help.

I did work at a condominium complex where the white cedar lampposts sat in standing groundwater and rotted every few years. I ended up wrapping a new cedar post at the below grade part in ice and water shield. I used a heat gun to really get it to stick. The ice and water shield ran a few inches above ground for the much against it.

My brother-in-law works at the same property and said the posts are still solid. That was over 15 years ago when I did them. I was real careful in the wrap job.

 

Finished my posts today.
Not too bad for a few crappy 2x8s.
Should last a long time.

 

That is probably the best way to go IMO!

 

Good call... Lots of options for the posts above ground with footers...