Building10′ x 20′ water catch similar to this and want it to last. Do I put posts in the ground with concrete or posts bolted to top of concrete forms in ground?
Building10′ x 20′ water catch similar to this and want it to last. Do I put posts in the ground with concrete or posts bolted to top of concrete forms in ground?
I prefer to use concrete pilings that stick up a bit with wood bolted on. That way I can easily replace any supports that rot without having to dig up anything.
nbarry51278
Concrete forms in ground with metal brackets set in concrete. Posts attached to metal brackets to prevent wood to concrete contact which will prevent moisture transfer from concrete to wood prolonging the life of the wood material.
Brilliant-Apple1318
I think your geographical location and budget are important as well to properly answer this,
If money is no object, why not use metal? If money is the objection, then that’s where your location and climate are important, personally I live in a very dry climate so putting wood into concrete as long as it is pressure-treated seems just fine to me. I’ve seen that go for 60 years undisturbed at the ranch, alternatively, if you live in a moist climate, I would think to imbed post holders into the concrete before placing the wood like was mentioned before,
Might I also note that you may want to build a form and raise the concrete above the ground level for visibility, and also you know it’s always somewhere to put something down bend something back into shape or whatever on the edge of the concrete if you’re nearby it , just trying to think practically for the future as well
cats_are_the_devil
Other alternative would be the sticky stuff painted on your posts before setting them in concrete. However, concrete pilings sticking up so they are not going to get wet is the way to do this for longevity.
ItsDingoDamnit
We have a corrugated awning off the back of the garage (cemented posts on the front and the back is affixed the eve joists). Similar tilt angle. Anyway tropical storm came through (35+ knots winds) and we got a crash course in aerodynamics. Literally ripped it apart; top flew abt 50 ft, total loss except for the posts anchored in concrete.
Prudent_Direction752
Nothing to add just commenting so i can come back to the useful info here 👀
TranquilTiger765
Concrete footing or pier. Wet set anchors if you’re going the pier route. Crete footing is fine and just backfill with soil. You want to avoid a situation where you entomb the post in concrete. When the posts dry out they will shrink enough to create a gap (albeit thin) between the post and concrete. This is where water will sit and absolutely increase the rate at which your post rots.
If money isn’t an issue look into “permacolumn” they are a precast rebar reinforced post with the wet set bracket cast into it. Essentially a pier that is installed the same way the post is.
inversekd
Not an answer to your question but if you buried the first tank the water pressure would equalize and would eliminate the need for a float valve.
Edit: probably a bad idea. Would only work as long as there is water high enough in the first tank.
sheeprancher594
I second the opinions of posts on concrete. Also, if I might make a suggestion on the water setup – if you raise the water barrel up, gravity will work to refill the stock tank. Unless you already have a plan I’m not seeing (I realize you said “similar”).
whaletacochamp
I would suggest getting advice from the carpentry sub or another building sub. This sub is great, but you’re apt to get a bit of bad advice here (although so far it’s not bad).
10 Comments
I prefer to use concrete pilings that stick up a bit with wood bolted on. That way I can easily replace any supports that rot without having to dig up anything.
Concrete forms in ground with metal brackets set in concrete. Posts attached to metal brackets to prevent wood to concrete contact which will prevent moisture transfer from concrete to wood prolonging the life of the wood material.
I think your geographical location and budget are important as well to properly answer this,
If money is no object, why not use metal? If money is the objection, then that’s where your location and climate are important, personally I live in a very dry climate so putting wood into concrete as long as it is pressure-treated seems just fine to me. I’ve seen that go for 60 years undisturbed at the ranch, alternatively, if you live in a moist climate, I would think to imbed post holders into the concrete before placing the wood like was mentioned before,
Might I also note that you may want to build a form and raise the concrete above the ground level for visibility, and also you know it’s always somewhere to put something down bend something back into shape or whatever on the edge of the concrete if you’re nearby it , just trying to think practically for the future as well
Other alternative would be the sticky stuff painted on your posts before setting them in concrete. However, concrete pilings sticking up so they are not going to get wet is the way to do this for longevity.
We have a corrugated awning off the back of the garage (cemented posts on the front and the back is affixed the eve joists). Similar tilt angle. Anyway tropical storm came through (35+ knots winds) and we got a crash course in aerodynamics. Literally ripped it apart; top flew abt 50 ft, total loss except for the posts anchored in concrete.
Nothing to add just commenting so i can come back to the useful info here 👀
Concrete footing or pier. Wet set anchors if you’re going the pier route. Crete footing is fine and just backfill with soil. You want to avoid a situation where you entomb the post in concrete. When the posts dry out they will shrink enough to create a gap (albeit thin) between the post and concrete. This is where water will sit and absolutely increase the rate at which your post rots.
If money isn’t an issue look into “permacolumn” they are a precast rebar reinforced post with the wet set bracket cast into it. Essentially a pier that is installed the same way the post is.
Not an answer to your question but if you buried the first tank the water pressure would equalize and would eliminate the need for a float valve.
Edit: probably a bad idea. Would only work as long as there is water high enough in the first tank.
I second the opinions of posts on concrete. Also, if I might make a suggestion on the water setup – if you raise the water barrel up, gravity will work to refill the stock tank. Unless you already have a plan I’m not seeing (I realize you said “similar”).
I would suggest getting advice from the carpentry sub or another building sub. This sub is great, but you’re apt to get a bit of bad advice here (although so far it’s not bad).