Postcrete soft and powdery after over 24hrs

Hi, I am working on a DIY fence project and I am using postcrete for the holes. I think it's similar to quickcrete. I poured it into the hole with water and stirred slightly with a stick before it started to set. Over a day on, the top of the postcrete is still quite soft - I can scrape away at it with a screw driver and it crumbles, and I can hammer the screwdriver a few inches or so into it at least. Looking back to putting the powder into the hole, the bags were quite clumpy and one bag did have large lumps. I only used the powder that hadn't clumped. I've since read this is due to moisture and having been stored outside for several months due to a delay in the work. I hadn't realised the plastic bags could let water in. The question is, will this eventually cure properly or am I going to have to chisel and dig it all out again? If digging out, how difficult will this be given it's condition and what would be the best tool? On the plus side I've only done one hole and the other bags of postcrete are newly bought. Thanks. submitted by /u/wt_82 [link] [comments]

Apr 15, 2025 - 22:43

Hi, I am working on a DIY fence project and I am using postcrete for the holes. I think it's similar to quickcrete. I poured it into the hole with water and stirred slightly with a stick before it started to set. Over a day on, the top of the postcrete is still quite soft - I can scrape away at it with a screw driver and it crumbles, and I can hammer the screwdriver a few inches or so into it at least.

Looking back to putting the powder into the hole, the bags were quite clumpy and one bag did have large lumps. I only used the powder that hadn't clumped. I've since read this is due to moisture and having been stored outside for several months due to a delay in the work. I hadn't realised the plastic bags could let water in. The question is, will this eventually cure properly or am I going to have to chisel and dig it all out again? If digging out, how difficult will this be given it's condition and what would be the best tool?

On the plus side I've only done one hole and the other bags of postcrete are newly bought.

Thanks.

submitted by /u/wt_82
[link] [comments]