[dgresh]

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...

[creahands]

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

[dgresh]

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

[dgresh]

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...