Can we talk about setting posts in concrete vs gravel?

My uncle Bob has been building fences for 30 years and he swears by gravel backfill. Told me concrete traps water against the post and rots it out in 5 years max. I argued with him for an hour, said concrete is the standard here in Ohio. Then I pulled a post I set in concrete 3 years ago and sure enough, the bottom 4 inches was soft and rotten. Gravel lets water drain and the post actually lasts longer. Has anyone else tested this side by side on a project?

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carter.jennifer4mo ago

Laughing at your uncle Bob being right after you spent three years proving it. Nothing like watching a post rot in real time to teach you a lesson. Guess concrete is great for holding stuff in place, including all that moisture against your wood.

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caseyc304mo ago

Did you seal the top of the concrete too @carter.jennifer?

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