central - east central Minnesota - | The others have posted the practices on how most builders set poles. If you use the pea rock or sized crushing product - be sure to nail treated 2x6 around the bottom of the pole - scabbed on the bottom of the pole, now the frost has to "lift" the 2x6's through the pea rock or screenings. (clear as mud?) There are new products floating around (plastic) that can be used to lessen the heaving concrete issue - plastic sono tubes (forms). Set pole in plastic form and pour concrete around pole. Again - wood at the bottom of the pole or I've seen rebar put through and around the bottom of the poles set in concrete. I think someone also makes a plastic sleave for the pole also. Slip the sleave on the bottom of the pole and then the soil or concrete has nothing to grab. It also can keep the pole from rotting. As someone posted above also - general rule is depth is set 1ft below frost line. Good luck |
Frost heaving pole barn posts
