I removed some warped fence posts (4x4) that were set in concrete. The posts came out fairly clean, leaving most of the cement in place, still in the ground.

Can I simply place the new posts (also 4x4) in the old holes and fill with a bit of dirt and new concrete or do I need to dig out all of the old concrete and then fill with gravel, dirt, and new concrete?

I don't want to dig the concrete out if I don't have to, since that will involve uprooting a patio. However, I want to do it right, so if it takes a little more effort to get there, that's what I'll do.

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance...

How deep into ground does the post go?

If post holes are clean(no old post in concrete) and at least 2' deep, should work by adding concrete and dirt.

Chuck

Hi Chuck, thanks for the quick response. They are about 2' feet deep.

To give this thread some closure (maybe), I tried inserting the new posts as-is into the existing holes. Turns out, the new posts are about 1/8" too big to fit so I had to dig out a bit anyway. I knew it was too easy to be true. The holes ended up only being about 18" deep, which is know is risky. The soil is thick clay with a lot of rocks, so maybe it will hold up OK. We'll see how it goes...