Whether you are setting a fence post or pouring a small slab, Quikrete Fast-Setting Concrete Mix fills the bill. 

No deck, fence or mailbox would last very long without a strong foundation, and that starts with setting the posts in concrete. 

Posts, that support the rest of a structure, must be perfectly plumb (that is, vertical), sturdy, and securely anchored. 

Unfortunately, since posts go in before everything else, they can hold up progress. So, for some jobs, it’s good to consider an alternative to the traditional concrete mix. 


About Fast-Setting Concrete

Using Quikrete Fast-Setting Concrete, in the red bag, simplifies and speeds up the process of setting posts. 

Quikrete has an easy-to-use calculator to determine exactly how much mix you’ll need to set your post. Enter the depth of your post, and the calculator will eliminate any guesswork.

Application is easy — just dig a hole, pour in the mix and add water. 

Fast-setting concrete mix sets hard in 20 to 40 minutes, so you can quickly level things and move on with the project. You can even use the post after four hours. 

No mixing is necessary when you use Quikrete Fast-Setting Concrete Mix. But you can agitate the water and concrete mix with a stick.
(3 Echoes Content Studio)
Major construction work is unnecessary for minor projects. Quikrete Fast-Setting Concrete Mix is the efficient choice for small jobs. )
(3 Echoes Content Studio)

Best of all, this mix is versatile and can be used for a variety of general-purpose applications, whether you’re installing a mailbox post, a basketball goal or a small slab. Be sure to always follow the directions on the back of the bag.


How to Set a Post in Concrete

Ready to set a post in concrete? Follow these directions: 

  1. Dig the hole. Make it three times the width of the post and one-third to a half the length of the post. Then pour 6 inches of Quikrete All-Purpose Gravel into the bottom of the hole. 
  2. Put the post in the hole. Level the post and fill the hole with Quikrete Fast-Setting Concrete Mix within 3 to 4 inches from the top of the hole.
  3. Pour water in the hole. Add up to 1 gallon of water in the hole until it soaks into the mix. 
  4. Wait. Allow 20 to 40 minutes for the mix to set. You can place any heavy objects on the concrete, or allow traffic to pass over it, after four hours.

Setting a wooden post in concrete is the best way to keep it stable and secure for many years, but seasonal changes can cause the wood to shrink and loosen the post. 

A sagging post isn’t a death sentence for the structure — fix it with Quikrete Fast-Setting Concrete Mix.
(3 Echoes Content Studio) 

To prevent this, drive several large, rust-resistant nails into all four sides of the post at different angles.

Why nails? Think of the steel bars or wires that reinforce concrete slabs. For this project, we also need something to keep the post and the concrete together. The nails will further tie the post to the concrete, and hold it firmly in place even if the wood shrinks. 

For more information, watch: How to Reinforce a Wooden Post Set in Concrete


Fixing a Leaning Post

Fast-setting concrete mix doesn’t just come in handy for new projects — it also saves the day for fast fixes — like fences that lean or sag. 

When you look at a leaning post, the problem often appears much worse than it really is; the cause could be incorrect anchoring or insufficient structural support.

Either way, you just need some Fast-Setting Concrete, construction screws and basic tools to straighten it out.

For more information, read How to Fix a Leaning Fence


Pouring a Concrete Slab

If you’re thinking about hiring a contractor to pour a small concrete slab, like a trash can pad or deck stair landing, you might be waiting for a while. 

Small projects like this are low priority for the pros. They take away time and resources from larger jobs that pay a lot more. And if professionals do agree to do the job, the price could be marked up exponentially and set at an inconvenient time for you. 

Pouring a concrete trash can pad can be done in just a weekend with Quikrete Fast-Setting Concrete.
(3 Echoes Content Studio) 

With Quikrete Fast-Setting Concrete, you can have a usable slab in just a day. Here’s how: 

  1. Build a form from 2x4s and remember to account for the width of the forming lumber. 
  2. Secure the form in place with wood stakes and deck screws. You may have to dig a slight trench to set the forms at the correct height. Backfill against the forms to ensure stability and use the level to check for proper slope. The right end of the level should be about a half inch above the outside form, indicating a slight slope away from the building. 
  3. Excavate the slab area to a depth of about 7 inches, allowing 3 inches for a gravel base and 4 inches for concrete.
  4. Compact the gravel inside the form as a base. This creates a solid sub-base that will help prevent erosion and slab settling.
  5. Dampen the gravel base using a garden hose to prevent shrinkage cracking especially in hot temperatures.
  6. Place the recommended amount of water into the mixer and then gradually add Fast-Setting Concrete into the mixer with the water until it is the appropriate consistency. You can also mix the concrete manually in a wheelbarrow or a mortar box. Do not mix more concrete than can be placed in 10 minutes.
  7. Pour the mix evenly into the form until it is two to three inches above the top of the form.
  8. Strike off excess mix using the screed board back, float the surface with a trowel and apply non-slick broom finish.
  9. Remove the form from the slab using an edger and wait four hours before placing any heavy objects or allowing foot traffic.

Whether you’re setting a post, fixing one or pouring a small slab, the next time you face a concrete project that needs to be done quickly, but without compromising strength or quality, call on Quikrete Fast-Setting Concrete Mix to do the job right. 


Further Reading

Editorial Contributors
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Danny Lipford

Founder

Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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Carey Bradley

Carey Bradley is a digital content coordinator who has a passion for home improvement and interior design. With experience as a digital producer for news broadcasts, as well as a copy editor, page designer, and reporter for newspapers, Carey has honed her skills in creating engaging and informative content. With her deep passion for home renovation and DIY projects, she uses her creative abilities and industry insights to help homeowners transform their living spaces. In her spare time, she and her husband Matthew enjoy updating their 1940s home located in the historic district of Mobile, Alabama. They also love to spend time on the water, exploring the rivers of southwest Alabama.

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