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Question about a nightmare post hole in rocky ground

Had a job in Boulder last week where the client wanted a 6-foot privacy fence. The first three posts went in fine, then I hit what felt like solid rock on the fourth hole. Thought it was just a big stone, but after digging down about 18 inches, I realized it was a solid slab of sandstone. Ended up renting a demo hammer from the local rental place to break it up. That single hole took me almost 4 hours to finish when I had budgeted 30 minutes. Has anyone else dealt with a surprise rock shelf like that, and what's your go-to method?
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2 Comments
thea_knight
Yeah, that demo hammer is a lifesaver. I hit a granite ledge last summer that just laughed at my digging bar. Ended up doing the same thing, ran to the rental yard. It still took half the day but at least it got done. Sometimes you just have to accept the time loss and power through.
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the_john
the_john6d ago
Rented a demo hammer too. Worth every penny for that one hole.
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