Is it better to install treated posts with cement or tamped gravel?
Question:My son wants to support his deck stairs,2 risers, and wants to bury them in holes filled with concrete. I say no. What do you think?
Answers:
If you encase the treated post in concrete, the concrete will make a 'vessel' around the post ,which over time will create a place for water to go in, and not come out. Eventually rotting the post prematurely. What you need to do is-- dig the hole, put in 4"-6" of pea stone, put post in hole, add 4"-6" of pea stone, add to the top of the hole with concrete. The stone at the bottom will create a place for the water to escape, and not rot the wood.
if u treat the post with concrete it would be stronger but at the same time if u want to shift it to some other places in future it would cause u a lot of trouble...anyway my advise is,u better seek an interior designer or any house experts advise b4 u do something.
Tamped gravel is what he needs.
The concrete will retain water, eventually causing the wood posts to rot below & at ground level. Then you've got a huge mess--the posts to replace AND the big hunks of concrete to dig out & dispose of.
If the posts are treated there should be no worry about them rotting. Gravel will not provide stability for a deck, concrete will. Concrete will not retain water, once it is dry it will remain dry.
Keeping concrete several inches above ground will prevent posts from rotting. Slope concrete away from posts so water runs off.
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