Was I wrong about setting posts in concrete versus gravel?

Old timer Frank out of Springfield told me gravel backfill drains better and won't rot the posts, but I've done concrete for 12 years with no rot. He pointed to a 10 year old fence he built that still looked new - should I switch methods?

2 comments

2 Comments

bell.emma29d agoMost Upvoted

Whoa, hold on there. Concrete is fine if you know what you're doing, but Frank's got a real point. I've pulled out too many rotted posts set in concrete where water just sat at the bottom and ate the wood from the inside out. Gravel lets the water drain away and keeps the post dry, which is why his fence from ten years back still looks good. Have you ever had to replace one of your concrete-set posts after a few years?

the_wren29d ago

Well shoot, nobody's mentioned mixing crushed limestone instead cause that stuff actually hardens up like concrete but still lets water through.