TIL the hard way that using a 4-inch auger instead of a 6-inch one for a 20-post cedar fence in wet clay soil saves about 3 hours of backfilling and mixing gravel.

The client wanted it done fast, so I chose the smaller bit and packed each hole with a full bag of Quikrete, which held perfectly and let us finish the whole job in one long day instead of two.

3 comments

3 Comments

coleman.jamie26d ago

Man, I feel that in my bones. There's nothing worse than fighting wet clay all day, watching the clock run out. I've been on jobs where the soil just drinks gravel and you're stuck there mixing forever. Getting it done in one shot like that is a proper win.

dylan41311d ago

Yeah, skipping the gravel mix is the real pro move here. I did something similar on a sloped yard last fall, just dropped the bag right in the hole and poured the water on top. It set up like a rock and we were packed up before lunch. That wet clay locks it in so good, it's almost better than a perfect gravel base sometimes.

shane43426d ago

Smart move. That's the kind of field hack that saves a day. The gravel mixing is the real time killer, so skipping it when the client wants speed makes total sense. A full bag of concrete in wet clay is basically a perfect plug.