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Can we talk about setting posts in wet ground?

Last spring I put up a 200-foot fence near a creek in Oregon and the ground was still soggy from the rain. The concrete took three days to set right and I had to brace every post so they wouldn't lean. Anyone else have tricks for working with wet soil on a tight timeline?
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3 Comments
nina_jenkins
Try digging post holes a day early and letting them drain overnight, though I admit that's just me pretending to be prepared (which I'm not).
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barbara_baker57
Actually, you don't want them to drain overnight. If they sit open that long the sides can start crumbling in, especially if the soil's sandy or loose. Just let them sit for maybe an hour or two before you set the posts.
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miles946
miles94622d ago
Oh yeah, that overnight draining trick only works if you've got firm soil that won't slump... sandy ground just falls apart on you too quick. I've found mixing in some extra gravel at the bottom helps stabilize the hole before you pour, even if it's still a little wet. Just brace everything extra good and give it a full two days to harden up in that kind of moisture.
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