In a message dated 99-04-14 20:55:04 EDT, ko4mr@arrl.net writes:
> I recently installed a 30' Universal tower. Before pouring the concrete
> into the appropriately sized hole, I added several inches of crushed rock
> to the bottom of the hole for drainage of the base legs. Sometime after
> pouring the concrete, I noticed that two of the three bases legs (which
are
> largely embedded in the concrete) were not draining. I could see water in
> the legs nearly up to the top, just below where the hinged base attaches
to
> the bottom tower section..
>
> I'm assuming that in pouring the concrete, the contractor and I somehow
> managed to get some of it under the legs, even with the several inches of
> drainage rock, thus preventing adequate water drainage.
>
> My question is whether anyone has a feeling of how serious a problem this
> lack of water drainage is. Will this prolonged exposure of the steel legs
> to water likely cause any structural integrity problems?
Bummer. About the only thing you can do now is to drill a small weep
hole for water egress at the botoom of each leg. And pray you don't get any
hard frosts.
Cheers, Steve K7LXC
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