Dave Maxwell
Well-known member
Have one builder bragging about how they put a concrete footing in and then mount uprights on top of it. The other says they put post in ground and pour concrete in the hole. Which is better.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Opinions on pole building support
- Thread starter Dave Maxwell
- Start date
mtwaterguy
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2007
- Messages
- 3,518
Footing with post on top. Backfill with rock to help keep moisture to a minimum. Built 4 like this and have had no problems.
mtwaterguy
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2007
- Messages
- 3,518
I agree with Mt but in my county they require a permit and the poles to be on a pad as well as filling the hole with concrete. So a lot may depend on your soils and your county.
lg
no neat sig line
You must live in Multnomah or Clackamas?
Bear
Well-known member
Marion co. requirments are the same w/concrete backfill. I did build an Ag. bldg. in a different co. 20 years ago without any concrete, posts only 30" deep and it is still standing just fine.(but then it is/was Ag. not a shop)
You must live in Multnomah or Clackamas?
I'm in Marion county, just down the road and around the corner from Bear. 20 years ago when I build the old shop it was not required to have all the cement on the hole. I also watched a neighbors building sink into the ground over a period of 20 years. He was down on the flats. So it really does go back to the soils you are building on.
lg
no neat sig line
Last edited:
6768rogues
Banned
Cured concrete footing with the pole on top of it. The footing spreads the load over a larger area.
Pole with concrete around it will stabilize the pole but not provide much if any additional vertical support. Visualize a pole with a donut of concrete around it.
I don't put concrete around the pole because treated wood shrinks. When it has a concrete surround and then it shrinks, it creates a pocket that holds water. Then it rots out even though it is treated.
Pole with concrete around it will stabilize the pole but not provide much if any additional vertical support. Visualize a pole with a donut of concrete around it.
I don't put concrete around the pole because treated wood shrinks. When it has a concrete surround and then it shrinks, it creates a pocket that holds water. Then it rots out even though it is treated.
OP
Dave Maxwell
Well-known member
The one in ground is Morton. They supposedly have 50 year rot warranty. If so not bad. Other is a private contractor
olytdi
Well-known member
When I built mine, the city engineer forced me to drill holes 9 ft below grade and set the poles on a poured concrete pad in those holes. Then I was forced to pour concrete around all of the poles. I kicked and screamed knowing you never set wood in concrete. They wouldn't even let me wrapt the poles with that material that is supposed to protect the wood in this sort of situation. I was pissed. This in Olympia, BTW. And while my main poles are 10X12's and therefore may outlive me, it's not right. I'd build off of a foundation.
How do you intend to anchor?
How do you intend to anchor?
Bear
Well-known member
I guess I should have been more clear - the Ag. bldg. was on higher dryer ground - when I built the Shop here in Marion co. and was re'qd to include concrete as it is in much lower moisture prone ground.(near to swamp) Concrete is probably a good thing -just not sure it is always a neccessity. Each situation is different.
Bigrhamr
Well-known member
I put up a pole barn years ago and set the posts in concrete, no pad underneath. It was fine for about 2 years then one post settled about 4" in a short time taking the roof down with it. I dug out around and under it, jacked it back up and then poured a pad underneath which is how my current shop is done. The one that settled was in pretty wet ground, Southwest Washington state.
Rick98Z
Well-known member
Really depends on the building code I would say. My county required me to pour a round footer for each post. After cured they wanted me to add some lags on the bottom sides of the posts and then add more concrete around the post for "up-lift" protection...
OP
Dave Maxwell
Well-known member
Both are legal here. Just trying to pick a builder. Prices are so close its hard to decide
The thing that holds the poles in place is the friction between the pole and the surrounding soil.
Pouring concrete around the pole is an easy, but expensive, way to insure a tight, high friction fit at that junction.
If you put a pad at the bottom of the hole, and then pour concrete around it, be sure to cover the top of the pole to keep water out.
You have created a concrete vase that will hold any water that seeps the length of the post and sits at the bottom.
There are billions of poles out there holding up wires that have no pads or concrete around them. But they have been put in holes that had the fill rammed very tight when they were installed. That provides the friction needed.
Building posts do not have anywhere near the stress on them as high line poles. They are closer together and cross braced. If you set them the way the local power co does they won’t go anywhere.
Pouring concrete around the pole is an easy, but expensive, way to insure a tight, high friction fit at that junction.
If you put a pad at the bottom of the hole, and then pour concrete around it, be sure to cover the top of the pole to keep water out.
You have created a concrete vase that will hold any water that seeps the length of the post and sits at the bottom.
There are billions of poles out there holding up wires that have no pads or concrete around them. But they have been put in holes that had the fill rammed very tight when they were installed. That provides the friction needed.
Building posts do not have anywhere near the stress on them as high line poles. They are closer together and cross braced. If you set them the way the local power co does they won’t go anywhere.
OP
Dave Maxwell
Well-known member
I wondered when they said they Bolt the building post on top of the cement