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I'm putting up a 6'6 vertical barred steel fence on the edge of my property, where some very large leylandii used to be. The problem is, they were kind of on a slope, and now I've (nearly) removed the 8 stumps, there are some large craters exactly where the posts need to be set.
So, with that in mind, what's the best way to bring the ground back up into a solid footing? Preferably without any extra equipment?
Obviously I can't just throw the soil back in and put it up, and expect it to stay.
I was thinking fill with rubble, and possibly do it in layers and pour some concrete in between layers, put shuttering in for the posts. Then remove and set the posts in Postcrete...
There are 4 parts that need to be set, one every 2.8m
For reference, the holes
I'd like to not have a massive slab, especially as the fence needs to be interplanted with hedging.
Longer posts into the holes and landscape back level
Could you not just fill the holes back in with soil using a punner to compact as you go, or hire some more heavy duty equipment to compact properly? Then dig holes for posts as normal and install posts. If you're planning in having a hedge a load of rubble and stuff isn't going to help.
I'd presumed that a Wacker plate wasn't going to be much good in terms of refilling with soil? Wouldn't I need something more stable?
Unfortunately longer posts aren't really an option. To give an idea, the largest hole I've had to dig so far was at least a metre deep.
If you've got some, then I might put a bit of rubble under where the posts are going then fill the gaps with soil. Shutter for the posts, fill the rest with soil, concrete in the posts. The soil will drop a bit, so heap it slightly higher or keep some back. Land looks Fairly flat so I wouldn't worry too much.
What about some gabions filled with soil bags and faced with stone.
If you can't get longer posts per cloudnine's suggestion, then how about cardboard column formers that you fill with concrete. They could be set into the existing soil, extending up to where you want the posts to sit, then back fill.
I'm liking the gabions or column formers ideas, minimal concreting, minimal destruction of planting, and relatively low work. I've got a heap of old broken bricks to fill.
If you can’t get longer posts per cloudnine’s suggestion, then how about cardboard column formers that you fill with concrete. They could be set into the existing soil, extending up to where you want the posts to sit, then back fill.
Not sure how effective that would be unless you put some reinforcement in the concrete or used stupidly wide columns, as unreinforced concrete is useless in tension (which it would be every time the wind blew). Longer posts would seem like the most straightforward and cheapest way forward. Otherwise, if they are yours, can you set those existing concrete posts (which will have reinforcement in) as deep into into postcrete or rubble backfilled holes as you can and bolt the new posts to them?
The cardboard tube is a modern take on the old way of using clay pipes which gives the structure a lot more strength without having steel reinforcing.
Godfathers! HERE
Set them in concrete/rubble at the depth you are at with enough protruding out of the ground to bolt wooden posts to at the correct height for your fence. Back fill the gaps as required.
Had them at our old place, took some work to fit them but were a godsend as you can use wooden posts but keep them up off the ground so they don't rot.
Have you considered going into the Mass Grave business? Solves some of your back-fill issues and earns you a bit of cash on the side as a freelance Sexton.
Get an insider at the local branch of Relate. Not everyone wants the additional grief of laying a patio.
Stand upright back fill with soil free rubble to suitable depth finished ground level.
Grout the rubble.
Difficult this. Anyway you do it, theres more work involved than youd think.
You wont wont find a grouter willing to piss about with a tiny job like that.
Get some soil pipe lengths bigger than your posts. Say, 8 inch diameter. Hammer lengths just taller than ground level height in the post locations and use them as void formers.you really dont want to be digging back out compacted stone or rubble just to make post holes. Fill with MOT and compact in layers 200mm deep max.
Depending what you want there afterwards, you might want 300mm topsoil to bring up to ground level, or you might have aub soil you can re-use.
When complete, put posts in pipes and tip in postcrete. Done.
+1 scienceofficer
Sort of like this but with the back fill inside the PVC going higher up so you don't have so much post in the hole
Cheers people, some great ideas!
Godfathers
Unfortunately not an option - they'd have to be enormous. Also, the posts that are going up are galvanised steel - I've never seen it done with godfathers. I'd have to drill them and compromise the galvanising.
Have you considered going into the Mass Grave business
Unfortunately, I'm not sure that would lead to the ground being that stable.
Stand upright back fill with soil free rubble to suitable depth finished ground level.
Grout the rubble.
I know all those words, but put together like that they just bounce off my side face holes.
Get some soil pipe lengths bigger than your posts. Say, 8 inch diameter. Hammer lengths just taller than ground level height in the post locations and use them as void formers.you really dont want to be digging back out compacted stone or rubble just to make post holes. Fill with MOT and compact in layers 200mm deep max.
Depending what you want there afterwards, you might want 300mm topsoil to bring up to ground level, or you might have aub soil you can re-use.
When complete, put posts in pipes and tip in postcrete. Done.
This is kind of close to what I was thinking, but with Gabions and rubble.
The posts are 2" dia. so I was thinking circa 1m3 gabions. Stick in the hole down to a bit below ground level, set a soil pipe or similar into the location required, then fill the gabions with rubble/soil/rock. Tamp down by hand with a mashy stick. Put soil back into holes not occupied by big wirey baskets.
Then simply fit posts into holes and fill with postcrete.
Sound daft? Bearing in mind my limited skill. Getting the pipes to stay in place whilst whilst I backfill with rubble is my main concern. Spec for the post is that only 600mm is buried, so can't afford to leave 300mm soil exposed unfortuantely.
Other option is similar to above but with ply shuttering and more concrete.
For reference, post/fence spec is below.
