Dealing with mud and water in post holes

[OptionalStop]

It's been a very wet and rainy spring here in WNY so there is a ton of water in the ground. Last week we made the mistake of boring our post holes and now have a mess of mud and water (that keeps seeping in) filling up the holes. I've been pumping it out daily and am making progress drying them out BUT the bottom of the holes which was nice solid ground after digging is now soft mud. It's the consistency of jello almost. It's obvious I do NOT want to set my concrete pad on this so what options do I have besides waiting 2 months for the soil to dry out?

 

[meboatermike]

I agree it has been a wet spring here in Maine also. Won't the soil at the bottom of the hole become similar to what it is now in the future with future wet spells? I think you may need to talk with a soil engineer if you don't think you are on undisturbed soil with enough bearing capability. (Below frost depth also for your area).

 

[kd3pc]

we usually put some stone in the hole prior to the post, helps let things drain and dry out. I would definitely have some plastic for the floor pour, even find a soils engineer as mike posts above.

You don't say how deep or how wide the posts are, but they may sink over time, if things stay wet and you put weight on the structure.

 

[OptionalStop]

My concrete footing pads are to be set at least 42" below grade which is my frost depth. My plan is to dig down, pour my concrete in the hole to a thickness of 6" and approximate diameter of 18" to use for my footer and my posts will sit on top of these and backfilled with crushed stone. I just think there is too much residual ground water from all this rain, needs some time to dry out. My builder friend suggests moving forward and trying to clean out the hole best we can - and add some crushed stone to the bottom for drainage and pour the footing.

 

[HoosierMark]

Personally I would ask a local building inspector, supply company or pole barn builder what they do in a case like this. I am sure you are not the only one who has come across this problem. Just ask enough people and the right answer will come up. I was thinking get some concrete pads and lower them into the hole for the post to sit on but have no idea if that is a good idea or not. They would be hard and give a good base for the post to sit on.

 

[OptionalStop]

Personally I would ask a local building inspector, supply company or pole barn builder what they do in a case like this. I am sure you are not the only one who has come across this problem. Just ask enough people and the right answer will come up. I was thinking get some concrete pads and lower them into the hole for the post to sit on but have no idea if that is a good idea or not. They would be hard and give a good base for the post to sit on.

This is what my plans specify. I had the option of including precast concrete pads in my package, but I wanted to pour the pads in the hole so the concrete will conform to any irregularities at the bottom.

 

[kbs2244]

When it comes to setting posts, I always suggest copying the local experts.
The power company.
They have millions of posts, in all kinds of areas, and I have never seen them use concrete.
Very well tamped rock fill will ensure a post to earth friction which will resist any force.

 

[lukedwag]

I'm in Rochester too and we typically just take a shovel and scrap out the mush as best we can then throw a bag or two of stone in the hole then drop the cookie in.

 

[Lacenterbrewing]

I agree with kbs225 and lukedwag, just get some rock in there and you will be fine, another option would be to drill your hole and then place some concrete there to act as a slab for your post to sit on, but really rock will do just fine.

 

[kbs2244]

Do not forget the tamping of the stone and dirt.
The installs I have watched had 2 inch stone apx 6 inches deep at the bottom of the hole.
Then the post, and alternating 12 inch layers of dirt and stone.
Each layer very well tamped.
Nowdays they use gas powered tampers with a 4 inch dia head.

The idea is to tie the post to the hole sides with friction.
The friction is what holds the post in place.

It must work.
The post breaks before it moves when hit.

 

[Lightman 1]

When it comes to setting posts, I always suggest copying the local experts.
The power company.
They have millions of posts, in all kinds of areas, and I have never seen them use concrete.
Very well tamped rock fill will ensure a post to earth friction which will resist any force.

This!!! Forget about pumping out the water and mud. Set the post/pole in the hole and give it a pretty good twist to seat it. Like you're trying to screw it in. Then tamp some gravel or rock around it. SB2 works well. I've even used red clay gravel. Washed rock will work but I prefer SB2.