Setting Gate Posts in Concrete Need Advice (Water Intrusion) pic added

[Desert Whaler]

I removed 2 of the old pressure treated 4"x4" posts and all the concrete that I had set probably 20+ years ago.
The bottom 18" were rotted out to mush and soaked with water.
I had set them in sono-tubes and used high strength Quick-Crete about 24" deep with rock base at the bottom.
The problem is that it's located right on the property line, at the entrance to a backyard RV access and between 2 concrete slabs.
There's about a 12" space that runs the length of the RV access and separates the 2 slabs.
It used to be all dirt and when it would rain, it would flood and make a big messy river of mud when it overflowed.
A year ago I dug down about 10 inches and filled/ packed it with road base, then I filled the top 4 inches with decorative rock that averages a bit bigger than a golf ball.
So now there's no mud-flow . . but the water runs downhill in that direction where the posts are.

The last ones lasted 20+ years so 'ok' I guess, and I don't wanna remove the rock and pour concrete.
I'm curious if anyone has suggestions on how I can set new posts and protect them the best I can from water intrusions.
I've got a roll of Bituthene I was considering wrapping the posts in, that stuff has always worked well for me.
I was considering setting the posts inside a large PVC pipe, but the water will just come up from underneath.
I guess I could use a steel post as well.

Any advice would be appreciated.
I'll Shoot a pic. and add it to this post.
Thanks in advance.

The area where the posts will be is under the plywood.

 

[DC-88]

We use these post masters quite a bit, and they're easy to cut with a grinder. Also use CBSQ 44 or 66 with the SDS screws with 100% success ( yes I know they aren't designed by Simpson for that)
The old CB 44 and 66 with 2 bolts get loose when the posts shrink. I've built many homes on tight lots with some form of fence with all of these these on curbs or walls. For vinyl fence I prep them with round galv pipe 8' oc or less. Also, sonotubes with the cbsq44's in them works good as well in the dirt- For heavy gates I'd set metal posts - tubing square galv .

Home

The next generation of the Original PostMaster, a family of solutions. PostMaster Plus® is a family of steel posts that are a revolutionary alternative to wood posts and traditional round metal posts. With the PostMaster Plus, you never have to make the difficult decision of who gets

postmasterfence.com

 

[rivrrts429]

What about vinyl posts?

 

[Waterjunky]

Make sure the bottom of the post is fully encased in concrete so it cannot wick up. Then have the concrete taller than the surrounding area so water cannot pool at the post. This will minimize your issues. Realistically 20 years is a decent run. Are you going to be there to deal with it again in 20 years? You can still buy creosote in some states, where are you at? There is a reason the utilities, rail roads, and bridge builders use this stuff. You don't need to do the entire thing, just up to a few inches above the concrete.
Edit: no you cannot purchase creosote as a retail. Farmers and tradesmen can still.

 

[NicPaus]

Post shrinks a hair and water goes in at top and trapped. Coat them or replace in 20.

 

[Desert Whaler]

We use these post masters quite a bit, and they're easy to cut with a grinder. Also use CBSQ 44 or 66 with the SDS screws with 100% success ( yes I know they aren't designed by Simpson for that)
The old CB 44 and 66 with 2 bolts get loose when the posts shrink. I've built many homes on tight lots with some form of fence with all of these these on curbs or walls. For vinyl fence I prep them with round galv pipe 8' oc or less. Also, sonotubes with the cbsq44's in them works good as well in the dirt- For heavy gates I'd set metal posts - tubing square galv .

Home

The next generation of the Original PostMaster, a family of solutions. PostMaster Plus® is a family of steel posts that are a revolutionary alternative to wood posts and traditional round metal posts. With the PostMaster Plus, you never have to make the difficult decision of who gets

postmasterfence.com

I used the post masters on the fence in the backyard and they worked. I need to see if they will work here.
Thanks for the reminder.

 

[t&y]

Or, just set Galvanized metal posts instead.

 

[Taboma]

Wonder how that Gorilla Black Patch and Seal rubberized paint would work ? I know I've used the Flex Seal for inside of clay pots and they've never seeped or discolored after years of use.

 

[TimeBandit]

I built my last fence with Metal posts from home depot, they sure look like the PostMaster shown in a link above.

They were recommended by the guys at Fence Factory where I bought some of my redwood for the fence.

at the gate I bolted two face to face on each side of the gate, worked out well.

 

[lantz]

I really don't know anything, but I was told that wooden fence posts should be set directly on a 6" gravel base in the hole and then backfilled so that a few inches of the post also had gravel around it. It was explained that this would allow the water to properly drain from bottom of post whereas when the bottom of the post is encapsulated with concrete it ends up sitting in a bath more often than not. Following. I've got some posts to set, and was thinking I'd just go the galvanized route this time, so I didn't have to dig the post hole that much deeper.

 

[Nordie]

You could use a composite, but honestly after 20 years it owes you nothing. PT lumber is not going to he the same as it was 20 years ago, so I would say wrap it or coat the end grain with something and set it in concrete. What does it rain in So California maybe 6 or 7 times a year?

 

[DLC]

You can get Square as well as round steel posts ( I’m going to use the Square ) from any Fence Company galvanized or powder coated I would skip the PT and just go metal! Make sure there is some concrete below the post and not sitting in dirt at the bottom of the hole.

if you end up digging up all that rock try a French drain pipe below the gravel as it will get the water out faster and not soak in as much

 

[lbhsbz]

When I use to build fences I'd use these....if the post ever rots again, it takes more time to paint it than it does to replace it.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Simpson-Strong-Tie-4-in-x-4-in-G90-Galvanized-Wood-to-Concrete-Cast-in-Place-Base/1002709612

 

[JUSTWANNARACE]

Honestly with the way your set up and footing is I would have cut the post off, used a pressure washer to remove the rotted post from the concrete and then installed a steel 4x4 post with Simpson epoxy(last a lifetime). Or even another 4x4 PT with construction adhesive.

 

[LHC Kirby]

I have 6 of these… I will not ship. Pick up in OC or LHC… 3’ tall. https://www.tapconet.com/product/v-loc-post-anchor-for-round-3-posts

The pictures of the actual post, is all I have. The insert to hold the pipe tight I don’t have. All 6 for some Coors light and a bottle of jack.

Let me know if you or anyone is interested.

 

[Happy Smitty]

I did my posts in square steel tube with a baseplate. I embedded all thread in the footing, bolted in the post and dry packed under the plate. Just like setting a column for a building.

Simpson strong tie looks simple, off the shelf, keeps the wood post out of the concrete and above grade. I'd go with that.

 

[Instigator]

Steel post in concrete and wrap it with wood above grade, similar to making a box beam.
Steel post will last forever and the wood is easily replaceable.

 

[braindead]

You got 20 yrs out of a piece of wood buried in the ground in a runoff area for both walkways and you’re looking to do better?

Here’s an idea, remove the golf ball sized rocks and pour a concrete mound directing the water around the wooden posts instead of directly to them. #FigureItOut!

 

[Jay Dub]

When I use to build fences I'd use these....if the post ever rots again, it takes more time to paint it than it does to replace it.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Simpson-Strong-Tie-4-in-x-4-in-G90-Galvanized-Wood-to-Concrete-Cast-in-Place-Base/1002709612

We did our arbor using these as well. Contractor suggested them

 

[lbhsbz]

Also, pro-tip

Shop-vac makes a great post hole digger