27
Took a shortcut on a gate hinge install and paid for it big time
Out in Aurora last Tuesday, I was putting up a 6ft privacy fence. Got to the last gate and figured I could save 15 minutes by not digging out the old concrete from a previous post hole. Just set the new post in with some quickcrete and called it good. Three days later the homeowner texted me a picture of the whole gate leaning sideways. Had to go back, rip the post out, dig down 2 feet, and pour proper concrete. Cost me an extra $40 in materials and 3 hours on a Saturday morning. Anyone else ever learn a lesson like this the hard way?
3 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In3 Comments
ray_burns2d ago
Was the old concrete cracked or just sitting loose in the ground?
8
fisher.jessica2d ago
Yeah, if it was solid chunks that's a whole different story.
4
faith272d ago
Three days and it was already leaning? That sounds more like bad concrete mix or not letting it set long enough than a shortcut problem. Old concrete can work fine as a base if you pack it tight and use gravel underneath. @ray_burns is onto something - was the old stuff cracked up or was it solid? I've dropped posts into old holes with just a bag of gravel and they held for years. $40 and 3 hours sounds like you got played by the homeowner honestly.
2