If you’re installing a wooden post to mount an ELEY hose reel on, there is a simple process you can follow to ensure the post holds firm in the ground for years to come. If you’ve done this a hundred times and know how it works, then this guide may not be for you (in which case you can shop our Wood Post Mount Kit and start digging). For those of you who may need guidance on proper installation, here is all you need for a secure setup.
Supplies:- A wooden post
- A Post Hole Digger
- Pea Gravel
- Quick-Setting Concrete Mix
- Water
- Level
1. CHOOSE THE RIGHT WOOD POST
When selecting a post, make sure it’s rated for Ground-Contact. This ensures the post will provide years of service embedded in soil or concrete. There are only a few types of wood readily available for Ground-Contact. The most popular, Pressure-Treated Hemlock Fir (HF), will have a brownish tone that can be painted or stained over. If you choose a cedar post for aesthetics, make sure it is also pressure-treated and rated for Ground-Contact. Pressure treatment gives wood additional properties to withstand fungus, termites, and moisture which promote decay.
When considering the size of a wood post, select between a nominal 4x4 or 6x6 post. Both will be strong enough for the application and both will work with our Wood Post Mount Kit (Model 1125). Lumber dimensions are a bit misleading. When the board is first rough cut from the log, it is to the true measurement, such as a 4" x 4", 4" x 6" or a 6" x 6" post. However, the drying process and planning of the board reduces it to its finished dimensions. For example, our reference to a 4"x 6" post, is actually a 3-1/2" x 5-1/2" post. This wood post kit is designed to mount our wall mount hose reel (Model 1041) to any post whose exact width is either 3-1/2" or 5-1/2".
The length of the post will be determined by your required hole depth and desired working height of the reel. An 8-foot post will be long enough and can be cut to the desired height. If you do cut the post, make sure to treat the cut end with a Wood End Cut Solution containing a minimum of 1% copper.
2. MARK THE LOCATION OF THE HOLE
Use white spray paint to mark the location of the post. Locate the post within 3 to 4 feet of your water faucet. If you wish to locate the post further away from the faucet, you will need to purchase one of our longer inlet hoses, which are available in the Accessories section of our website at: eleyhosereels.com
IMPORTANT! Contact 811 before you dig.
Every digging job requires safety precautions – even small projects like planting trees and shrubs. The depth of utility lines varies and there may be multiple utility lines in a common area. Digging without contacting 811, (aka Digger’s Hotline), can disrupt service to an entire neighborhood, harm you and those around you, and potentially result in fines and repair costs. Contacting 811 before every digging job gets your underground utility lines marked for free and helps prevent undesired consequences. You can request your lines be marked by either calling 811 or visiting their website at: www.call811.com
3. DIG THE HOLE.
The diameter of the post hole is very important. If the diameter of the hole is too small, the concrete may fail at the corners of the post. Make sure the hole diameter is 3 x the diameter of the post. For example; a 4 x 4 post would require a 12-inch diameter hole. As for depth; this post will see significant cyclical loads from hose reel use, so we recommend the hole be 30” deep. After the appropriate authorities have cleared you to dig the hole, dig using a standard hand-operated post-hole digger, or a powered post-hole digger. If using a hand-operated digger, mark the digger handles at 30” with tape so you know when to stop digging. Place a large piece of cardboard or plastic sheet near the hole. You can place the excavated dirt on this for easier cleanup. Use a block of wood (2x4 or similar) to tap the digger blade on if the dirt sticks to the digger blade. If using a powered digger, always follow the equipment manufacturer’s instructions and warnings.
After your hole is dug, pour six inches of aggregate such as pea gravel into it. Compact the pea gravel by tamping it down with the post. This aggregate will encourage drainage in the hole, helping to move water away from the post. Your hole will now be 24” deep.
4. SETTING THE POST
Now you’re ready to set the post in concrete. We suggest a Dry Mix installation because it is easy and produces great results. A 4 x 4 post with a 12” diameter, 24” deep hole, will need (4) 50-pound bags of Quick-Setting Concrete Mix. A 6 x 6 post with an 18” diameter, 24” deep hole will need 9 bags.
- Place your wood post centered in the hole.
- Pour enough Quick-Setting concrete mix (dry) into the hole to fill half the depth of the hole.
- Add enough water into the hole to equal 1 gallon of water for every 50-pound bag of concrete mix.
- Use a level to ensure the post is vertical on two adjacent sides.
- Add more concrete mix until it is 3 to 4 inches below ground level. (This will allow you to backfill the hole with lawn/landscaping). *
- Add the necessary water (1 gallon / 50 lbs. bag) to the remaining mix.
- Check with a level again to make sure the post is still vertical. If it is not, tap it so that it is.
*If you prefer a concrete barrier around your post, so you don’t have to trim grass or to shed water away from your post, you can fill the hole with concrete and mound it slightly above the ground.
Even though we use quick-setting concrete, it is best to wait 24 hours before placing a load on the post.
5. FINAL STEPS
Now that the wooden post is properly installed, you’re ready to install a hose reel. Check out our Wood Post Mount Kit, as well as the Owner’s Manual located in the Support tab on our website. You’ll be able to read over every step to get the mount in place so you can get any tools you’re missing before you buy the kit. Should you go forward with this kit, note that it’s designed to mount our wall mount hose reel (Model 1041) to a 4 x 4 (3-1/2” x 3-1/2”) or 6 x 6 (5-1/2” x 5-1/2”) wooden post.
We hope you found this wood post installation guide easy to follow and helpful!