Newbie from Missouri

AmyH · Wed Feb 19, 2014 1:12 pm

Hello...in the process of becoming a first time landlord. I live in Northern Missouri, and I'm really anxious about getting my housing set up. I have a 12 room pvc house similar to the Trendsetter. I didn't know when I could start the cement work to get this under way? I of course want to do this right, (but not to early) because I don't want problems down the road...Thank you in advance

DornCounty · Wed Feb 19, 2014 2:20 pm

not sure the question, but if you are asking if it's OK to pour cement for your pole... then I think you are good to go if you outside temp is over 40 or 45 for a high and not much below freezing for a low. You can always throw a blanket or dirt over the cement so it doesn't get too cold.

PS - Welcome!!

AmyH · Wed Feb 19, 2014 2:41 pm

Is there a certain grade of cement I should be using? My housing came with no instructions, and for a first time landlord being without instructions isn't the best.

Louise Chambers · Wed Feb 19, 2014 2:48 pm

Lots of folks use qwikrete or something like that. Be sure to dig a generous hole, wider at bottom than at top, and put a few inches of gravel in bottom for drainage. Plug bottom of your pole system with newspaper to keep cement from plugging it. Good size for pole excavation - 2 ft deep, maybe 14-16 wide at top - others will chime in, I'm sure.

what kind of house are you putting up, Amy? You mentioned pvc, it might be a Heath or S&K brand house.

Here's a link to concrete mix, but you can ask at store when purchasing, too: http://www.quikrete.com/ProductLines/ConcreteMix.asp

JamesinIA · Wed Feb 19, 2014 2:58 pm

You probably have at least a month before you need to have your house up. I would find out what depth your frost line goes and make sure the hole is at least that deep. Here in SE Iowa it is 42 inches. Just use something like quick crete or any other concrete mix. I would think your ground is froze solid at this time so I would wait a couple of weeks.

Good luck on your first year!

Connie · Wed Feb 19, 2014 3:37 pm

Hi Amy,

Welcome to the forum!! Lots of nice people on here willing to help.
Where are you in MO? Are you anywhere around St. Robert or Ft. Leonard Wood? Good luck this season!!

klcretired · Wed Feb 19, 2014 4:57 pm

Hi Amy,
welcome to the forum, ask any question, there is a wealth of Knowledge here and a lot of PM Land Lords are eager to help.
I wish you many many Martins this Year...Good Luck

Dave Reynolds · Wed Feb 19, 2014 7:30 pm

Hello Amy ---

Welcome to the Forum.... Keep the questions coming..

Dave

~Ray~Gingerich · Wed Feb 19, 2014 9:01 pm

Hello Amy,
I use pro finish 5000 it's a good strong mix and sets up fast. If the ground isn't frozen and temps are over 32 and rising you should be fine. The concrete will generate some heat as it cures. Be careful when mixing so you don't get too much water, it shouldn't slosh off a shovel when you pick it up. If you want shorter set time add some high early or post setting concrete to the mix. I dig mine 3 ft deep and 12 inches in diameter.

AmyH · Wed Feb 19, 2014 9:32 pm

Thank you all for the helpful information! Louise...I'm not sure of the brand of house I have. It is a 12 unit house made out of pvc, and it looks a lot like the Trendsetter. Connie...I live west of Kirksville about 20 miles and I'm 45 miles from the Iowa line.

KathyF · Thu Feb 20, 2014 8:45 am

Hi Amy,
Welcome to the forum! You've gotten lots of good info on your question above! Good to see a fellow Missourian here on the forum.

I'm in south-central MO - almost 2 hours from the border. I normally get my martins around mid to late March.

With the weird springs here in MO, it's hard to get a few days to dig, pour & cure concrete, but I've done it several times now, so hang in there! As to when they'll show up at your latitude, you can watch their movement here on the scout report and figure out when you can expect them at your place!

http://www.purplemartin.org/scoutreport ... =2014&S=MO