20x10 ft run-- how to secure the posts?

[peachRN]

A bit sloppy, but it's the best I could do on Microsoft Paint. We're using 4x4x10 ft posts as the corners and braces for our run, and we were planning on putting them about 3 feet deep into the ground and securing them with cement. My dad is an engineer, and he said that we need to put them 4 feet into the ground, not 3, due to the frost line-and that we'd be better off using asphalt grindings or gravel to fill in around the posts.

What has worked for you?? I figured 3 feet deep would be plenty.

 

[StinkyAcres]

3 feet is definitely not deep enough; they will heave terribly. Either bury them the recommend 4 feet or sit the entire run on top of pavers. The advantage to setting the run on pavers on the ground is you can move it and change it easily if you ever wanted to. The downside is it is not nearly as sturdy and the frost will move it a bit, but not as much as if you buried them less than 4 feet.

 

[peachRN]

3 feet is definitely not deep enough; they will heave terribly. Either bury them the recommend 4 feet or sit the entire run on top of pavers. The advantage to setting the run on pavers on the ground is you can move it and change it easily if you ever wanted to. The downside is the frost will move it a bit, but not as much as if you buried them less than 4 feet.

Thanks for the input! I should know by now that I need to trust my dad

 

[aart]

Listen to your Dad.

 

[ChaosMom]

3 feet is definitely not deep enough; they will heave terribly. Either bury them the recommend 4 feet or sit the entire run on top of pavers. The advantage to setting the run on pavers on the ground is you can move it and change it easily if you ever wanted to. The downside is the frost will move it a bit, but not as much as if you buried them less than 4 feet.

Goodness, I thought that I was cheaping out (and being lazy) when I used pavers. I accidentally did something right!

 

[StinkyAcres]

Goodness, I thought that I was cheaping out (and being lazy) when I used pavers. I accidentally did something right!

Being cheap and lazy is not always a bad thing! Work smarter not harder!

 

[saysfaa]

I agree about not using cement, it holds water against the post... tamping in a material that allows drainage is much better.

 

[peachRN]

I agree about not using cement, it holds water against the post... tamping in a material that allows drainage is much better.

Thank you! I'm taking my dad's word for it, he's definitely handier than me