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Hi, I'm installing a monument sign that I'm going to have to use posts other than treated 4x4's. The openings are too small in the monument columns. The sign is four feet in height, overall. Can I use PVC pipe? I guess my only worry is that they may become brittle over time or crack from the cold. I intend to slide them into the columns and then set them in concrete. Thanks, Tim
-------------------- Tim Whitcher Adrian, MI Posts: 1546 | From: Adrian, MI | Registered: Mar 1999
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Yep, I was planning on dry setting the posts (with concrete mix). It's a fairly small sign. I'd rather not use steel posts since I don't have a source that I can get them from by Friday (the day of the install). I've heard some people use PVC pipe, but I want to make sure I do it right. I called the company who made the sign for me, but haven't heard back yet.
-------------------- Tim Whitcher Adrian, MI Posts: 1546 | From: Adrian, MI | Registered: Mar 1999
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Hiya Tim, I would side with Wayne on this. A thick walled PVC pipe may work, but I would try to use anything but. Steel fence posts were the first thing that came to mind. Let us know what the manufacturer recommends.
Cheers,
Checkers
-------------------- a.k.a. Brian Born www.CheckersCustom.com Harrisburg, Pa Work Smart, Play Hard Posts: 3775 | From: Harrisburg, Pa. U.S.A. | Registered: Nov 1998
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I just returned from the lumber yard, they have post covers made from the same composite material that they are using for decks. they are pricy but really nice, nice caps also. You have to use a 4x4 treated post on the inside. I think a 12' section was around $50
-------------------- Carper's Signs 594 Union School Rd. Mount Joy, PA 17552 carpersign@earthlink.net Posts: 157 | From: Lancaster, PA, USA | Registered: Aug 1999
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PVC pipes will work just fine. The weight of the sign rests on the ground, and the pvc pipes hold the sign from falling over. Schedual 40 works, and so does the gray electrical conduit, which does not break easily
In talking with some insurance companies, they would like to see the sign break away should a car jump the curb and run into the sign.
The driver is likely to sustain less injury and the car less damage, as they hitting a big block of foam. Then if the pipes could break away, that's even better.
Wood posts are a poor choice as they could warp and thus the sign may start to lean over.
We have used a variety of pipes, from PVC to Steel to large aluminum conduit. Again make sure your pipes are not in contact with the inside top of the monument. Over time, they could push up and or out the top as things settle.
Hope this helps!
[ January 11, 2006, 07:46 PM: Message edited by: Dave Draper ]
Expanding foam like "Great Stuff" or others is what we recommend to secure the sign to the posts. If you ever should have to move the sign, you will have to cut the post off and then get smaller pipes to slip up inside the old pipes.
Install your pipes, either loose method* or measure correctly and concrete them in the ground. Tape the top of the pipes with duct tape so the expanding foam does not slide down the inside of the pipe.
*loose method means setting the pipes in the hole then slipping the monument over the top of the pipes and resting it on a 5 gal pail, then add quick crete to the holes and then remove the sign, flip it up so you can put the expanding foam in the holes, then slip it back over the post and let the foam cure.
Make sure to level the sign; you will want to have some small wedges to place under the sign to make it sit level and plum.
Hope this helps
[ January 12, 2006, 10:03 AM: Message edited by: Dave Draper ]
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