This week readers “Ask the Guru” to answer questions about setting columns on clay soil that has been saturated, a quote request for a maintenance facility, and protecting posts from rot.

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hello, I am building a pole barn for cattle in the north TX area ( primarily clay soil). I have augured my post holes and took a lot of time making sure I set the post square and plum. Unfortunately before the concrete truck couldn’t get to me the rain started and dint not stop. All of my post holes stayed full of water for about 1.5 weeks…. Since then I have pumped them out and we have had 2 weeks of high 90 degree days with full sun but the bottom of the holes are still muddy. My plan has been to let them dry out but I wonder if I need to pull the post, possibly auger out the mud and repack them. This option of starting all over gives me heart burn!!! My concern is that my post will sink and settle when I add the weight of concrete and all of the other building materials. I know you probably can’t say definitively but if you were in my shoes would you start all over or do you think it would be ok to just let them dry out and move on? Not sure if it matters but the post holes are 16″ in diameter and 52″ deep. Thanks for any advice! ANTHONY in SHERMAN

DEAR ANTHONY: You are now finding out why clay is problematic to build upon. In lieu of hiring a geotechnical engineer (highly recommended) to do an actual soils report and make recommendations, a general rule of thumb is for holes in clay soils to be dug to no less than six (6) times hole diameters. Not know what your spans are, but 16″ diameter seems very small.

 

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Do you provide quotes for a Maintenance Garage in Salem, Missouri? DANIEL in ST. LOUIS

DEAR DANIEL: Hansen Pole Buildings has provided hundreds of fully engineered, custom designed post frame buildings to our clients in Missouri. A member of our Design Team will be reaching out to you shortly or please email your building specifics, site address and best contact number to our Design Studio Manager Caleb@HansenPoleBuildings.com 1.866.200.9657 Thank you. https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2024/04/things-hansen-pole-buildings-does-better-than-any-other-post-frame-building-provider/

 

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: My GF lives in In Indonesia and as you know, they are moving the Capitol. Because of rising water levels. I saw some rubber ” boots” that are supposed to protect against rot from water. They also sell concrete for building a ” pier”. Any advice? She has family there and does not want to leave. MATHEW in RENO

DEAR MATHEW: Rot is actually not a direct function of water – you can completely submerge wood in water and it will last centuries. The required rot combination is dampness (20-30% moisture content), presence of wood-rotting fungi, oxygen and warm temperatures (65-95 F). Remove any of these and your challenge goes away. Assuming this is an existing structure, a wrap might be your best design solution. Here is an example (disclaimer, I have not personally used): https://www.postsaver.com/en-us/products/fence-deck-and-pergola-post-protection/