Using out of date Postcrete

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Discussion

CCCS

Original Poster:

365 posts

226 months

Saturday 27th November 2021
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I’ve got three bags of unopened Postcrete that I was going to use for two wooden fence posts. They’ve been sat in my garage for about a year. The use by date is April this year.

Until a few months ago I didn’t know that cement “went off”. I found this out when I used a small amount of premixed mortar to repoint a few bricks. A few weeks later the new mortar was like dust and crumbled when I touched it. This was a bag I’d opened a couple of years before and left in the garage.

Will the out of date Postcrete set as it should?

I realise three new bags will only cost around £20. It’s more I just don’t like sending stuff to landfill that will be there forever.

Drumroll

3,738 posts

119 months

Saturday 27th November 2021
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I would use it, might not go off quite as quickly (but nothing too drastic).

DrDeAtH

3,586 posts

231 months

Saturday 27th November 2021
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It will go off within 10 seconds of mixing. Just bin it

Trophy Husband

3,924 posts

106 months

Saturday 27th November 2021
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It'll be fine. I've got a pallet of it in my yard which we nibble at and have done well beyond its date.
To the above poster, it is meant to go off quickly! That's the point of it!

SS2.

14,455 posts

237 months

Saturday 27th November 2021
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If it hasn't set solid already.

UnclePat

508 posts

86 months

Saturday 27th November 2021
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If it’s stored well, such that it’s still dry and hasn’t been exposed to too much moisture and formed clumps, I’d use it. Also on the grounds that it’s holding posts, not building a house.

I read somewhere - may not be true - that the expiry date is more to do with chromium or something in the mix that becomes more environmentally unsound or increases dermatitis risk, rather than reduced efficacy.

r1mike1983

38 posts

106 months

Saturday 27th November 2021
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I’d definitely be using it

Hammer67

5,706 posts

183 months

Saturday 27th November 2021
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My advice would be, use the postcrete, don`t use wooden fence posts.

I did a couple of years ad hoc work for a mates fencing co, 90% of the work we did was replacing relatively new fencing that had been put up with wooden posts, with concrete posts. Wooden posts rot and snap off at ground level.

Simpo Two

85,148 posts

264 months

Saturday 27th November 2021
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Hammer67 said:
My advice would be, use the postcrete, don`t use wooden fence posts.
Good advice. Either metposts + wood, or concrete fence posts.

CCCS

Original Poster:

365 posts

226 months

Saturday 27th November 2021
quotequote all
Hammer67 said:
My advice would be, use the postcrete, don`t use wooden fence posts.

I did a couple of years ad hoc work for a mates fencing co, 90% of the work we did was replacing relatively new fencing that had been put up with wooden posts, with concrete posts. Wooden posts rot and snap off at ground level.
I know what you mean. Earlier this year I dug out some broken wooden posts. I used timber again, I just prefer the look over concrete posts.

The two posts I’m fitting now are in a different position to the two existing ones (which are sound after 25 years).

CCCS

Original Poster:

365 posts

226 months

Saturday 27th November 2021
quotequote all
Simpo Two said:
Good advice. Either metposts + wood, or concrete fence posts.
I’ve used metposts in the past they didn’t stop the timber rotting.

I used https://www.postsaver.com/ on the posts I fitted earlier this year.

gfreeman

1,729 posts

249 months

Saturday 27th November 2021
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Another vote for postsavers - brilliant!

Evoluzione

10,345 posts

242 months

Saturday 27th November 2021
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If it's not solid then use it, simple. It's a fence post, not a suspension bridge

zb

2,498 posts

163 months

Saturday 27th November 2021
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If it's the Postcrete that proudly proclaims to be in a waterproof bag it should be fine. I used an unopened bag, that has been in the shed at least 5 years, to set a new washing pole the other week. Pole still there this morning, after Arwen whipped through last night. My neighbour's fence, however, was not so fortunate.

dhutch

14,198 posts

196 months

Monday 29th November 2021
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As said, depends how well its been sorted, but if its its only a few months out, and looks ok, happy days.

MattyD803

1,690 posts

64 months

Monday 29th November 2021
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The kick in the teeth is that if it has already set or partially set in the bag, then you'll get charged to get rid of it at the tip as it's effectively 'rubble'. (That's certainly the case in Reading & Wokingham borough recycling centres)