Caustic soda to dissolve a broken fence post?

[jat147]

Hey friends.

One of the many storms recently have broken a few fence posts here. The panels are reuseable, but the posts are toast.
All of the posts (a 3 notch 8ft type) were set in concrete, and most of the wooden post has dissolved during its time underground.
But one of the posts has quite a bit of solid wood under ground level - from about 30cm downwards.
I'm trying to dig this wood out so the new posts can drop in, but it's getting really hard.

Do you think that by pouring a little caustic soda on whats left of the stump will dissolve the wood?
Well, I know it'll dissolve it, but is there a reason to not do this? I hate caustic, due to the hazards, but can't think of a better idea right now.

Cheers,

James.

 

[bernardgreen]

Cut the post as close as possible to the ground. Put some burning charcoal on the top of the post and with a hot air gun (or carefully with a hair drier ) gently heat the charcoal with air to keep it just glowing red hot. Not too hot as that could crack the concrete. Use 4 bricks to keep the charcoal in place until the post is burnt down below ground level.

Some trial and error is needed.

This worked to remove a 6 inch square post that was 4 foot into the ground. That took two days as the bottom of the post was vry damp but left a perfect hole for tha new post to drop into.

 

[foxhole]

Hey friends.

One of the many storms recently have broken a few fence posts here. The panels are reuseable, but the posts are toast.
All of the posts (a 3 notch 8ft type) were set in concrete, and most of the wooden post has dissolved during its time underground.
But one of the posts has quite a bit of solid wood under ground level - from about 30cm downwards.
I'm trying to dig this wood out so the new posts can drop in, but it's getting really hard.

Do you think that by pouring a little caustic soda on whats left of the stump will dissolve the wood?
Well, I know it'll dissolve it, but is there a reason to not do this? I hate caustic, due to the hazards, but can't think of a better idea right now.

Cheers,

James.

Better to break up the concrete and remove all ( breaker required).