His dilemma is that he replaces posts that were replacements for previous posts, and those replacements have been made concrete. Apparently removing the original posts left very large holes that the previous fence builder filled with concrete.

So my buddy is dealing with a lot of concrete.

First rule, gang: do not put wooden posts in concrete.

Look, no matter what preventive steps you take (and I’ll come back to that), wooden posts will eventually rot, and eventually you’ll have to put new ones. Burying it in concrete not only adds more work down the line, but it can also speed up the rot.

The concrete forms a collar around the post, and as different materials at different pressures and temperatures expand and contract at different speeds, there is inevitably a small space around the post.

Water likes to seep into small spaces.

But it doesn’t ooze out because the concrete isn’t just a collar; It’s a cup too.

If you have a post in a cup of water, is no wonder the post will rot at some point?

The post HouseWorks: Concrete is a giant no-no for fence posts | House and Backyard first appeared on DECKS AND FENCES DAILY.