Best filler for gaps in quikrete instant cement?

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paulri

paulri

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I have several 4x4 posts for a fence in my backyard. Several years ago I poured some quikrete (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Quikrete-50-lb-Fast-Setting-Concrete-Mix-100450/100318521) around the posts. We had strong winds yesterday, and I checked one of the posts and found that there is quite a bit of leeway around the post—about ½ inch or so.

What would be the best material to pour into the gap? Sand? Is there anything else? Or just more quikrete? Not sure how/if that would bond with the stuff that is already in the ground
 
Is the gap between the post and the quikcrete or between the quikcreke and the ground. in either case, the concrete is not large enough or deep enough for the soil. Any repair will be temporary at best. Between the ground I would use limestone dust. Between the post I would use construction adhesive.

Rid
 
Quikrete hydraulic cement although I am unsure how load bearing it is.

Just stuff it down the gaps and it dries in minutes.

*Perhaps make the post square with some poly door shims first?
 
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So you think it would be better to take it out, and then pour in new stuff?

Originally Posted by ragtoplvr
Is the gap between the post and the quikcrete or between the quikcreke and the ground. in either case, the concrete is not large enough or deep enough for the soil. Any repair will be temporary at best. Between the ground I would use limestone dust. Between the post I would use construction adhesive.

Rid
 
Put it back to where it was, or as close to plumb as possible and then hammer some shims made out of pressure treated lumber into the gap. You could also use concrete or glue as mentioned but I think the shims would hold up better and are semi removable. You can oscillate them off flush with the hole which will look better, too.

I live in Toronto, and small concrete patches or glue don't hold up as well as wood in the cold. Fence posts have to be 4' minimum to avoid being heaved, for example. YMMV, of course.
 
How many cubic inches of fill are you talking about? I'd probably just get a sack of self leveling (or thin mix) cement, work the post around to get it down in there good, and use guy lines or wood props to hold it centered till it sets up, not wedging things into the hole instead which should be filled to the top with cement.
 
Its hard for me to say how many cubic inches. The gap is on two of the four sides, about 1/2 inch like I said. It would be about 3.5 inches across, and then maybe 6-12 inches down, I don't recall how deep they went--18 inches into the ground, max.

Originally Posted by Dave9
How many cubic inches of fill are you talking about?.
 
What is the diameter of the Quickrete around the posts?

A wind causing posts to become loose tells me a couple of things, either the concrete fill was insufficient or the post itself has weakened by rot or bugs or both.

Does your fence allow the wind to blow through or does it act like a sail?
 
I had a similar problem. I had some left over tile mortar so I mixed up a low viscosity ( almost watery) batch and poured it down the gap. It's good and solid.
smile.gif
 
Strap a random orbit sander tight to the post or have someone hold it to the post while you hand feed grout around the post the vibration from the sander will work the grout into the gaps very well. Then water the area with a hose. If the gap is big enough the grout or Portland can be mixed with water prior.
A saws all works well for the vibration source too
 
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I had left over polymeric paver sand from laying pavers for our patio. Figured I would try using it up in cracks around other places like the driveway and walk. Filled them up nice and seems a little more flexible then other things in the past. Easy on the wallet too.
 
It is 1x12 boards, i dunno about 6 feet tall, with 1/2 to 1 inch gaps in between. So that answer to your question would be that at least part of the air flow is caught by the boards

Originally Posted by PimTac
What is the diameter of the Quickrete around the posts?

A wind causing posts to become loose tells me a couple of things, either the concrete fill was insufficient or the post itself has weakened by rot or bugs or both.

Does your fence allow the wind to blow through or does it act like a sail?
 
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