post hole keeps filling up with water

[HotRodMan]

I have dug two post holes 3 feet deep by 10 inches in diameter for a 10 foot steel post, to attach a gate to block access to my garage.

With just a little rain, both holes filled up with water. I pulled the water out 3 times with a shop vac but the water keeps coming back. The soil is 100% black top soil. Another rain came and this time I spread a 10x25 piece of plastic over the whole area including the holes. It helped but still got water in the holes.

Anyone have an idea how I can solve this problem so I can install my posts and pour concrete, so I will have a strong hold on the fence posts? Thanks

 

[olytdi]

You can set your post and pour the concrete. It will displace the water and set fine. Lots of concrete gets poured under water.

 

[tarmy]

You can set your post and pour the concrete. It will displace the water and set fine. Lots of concrete gets poured under water.

This right here...get out what you can...drop some gravel in hole for drainage, drop post...insert conc and cone the top of it to drain away. Done.

 

[flan]

Put the sonotube in one of those black contractor bags, insert in hole, backfill then pour your cement. Done that with deck footings with a high water table.

 

[mike93lx]

Sounds like you can save on having to dump water in the hole. I would probably clean it out reasonably well, dump the concrete and start mixing.

 

[TractorJeff]

I've put concrete in water filled holes. It displaces the water and sets up fine!

 

[Jlbc212]

Sounds like you can save on having to dump water in the hole. I would probably clean it out reasonably well, dump the concrete and start mixing.

Concrete needs to be mixed with potable water (water safe to drink).

 

[mike93lx]

Concrete needs to be mixed with potable water (water safe to drink).

No it doesn't need to be, but it should be.

Here is an interesting study on the impact of using wastewater in high strength concrete

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877705811011234

For a fence post, I would bet it won't matter much at all, especially if the ground water is not brackish

 

[JeepYJ]

I don’t know your location but if you’re only at 3’ deep I would be concerned with frost jacking, especially with that much water, if you are in an area that sees cold
winters.

 

[FTG-05]

I don’t know your location but if you’re only at 3’ deep I would be concerned with frost jacking, especially with that much water, if you are in an area that sees cold
winters.

Another reason why posters should have their location; then we wouldn't have to guess.

 

[ArmchairArchitect]

Do some research on concrete- continuous exposure to moisture actually strengthens the concrete, especially in the first 27 days, but really continues forever.