Whether your wood fence is a split rail, picket or board on board privacy fence, replacing it over a loose post makes little sense if the rest of the fence is in good condition and sound. The good news is you don’t have to, and you may not even have to replace the post itself, depending on the cause of the damage.
The key is determining why the post became loose in the first place. A quick inspection of the post and ground around it should tell you what you need to know. If the full length of the post moves back and forth and the soil is loose or sandy, the post is likely intact and the ground around it just needs to be packed tighter. A broken or rotten post will twist and rock at the point of the break and the ground may appear to be otherwise solid.
What can you do?
A solid post that is moving can probably be corrected by tamping down the soil. Use a tamp and pack it tightly, adding additional soil a little at a time and tamping each layer until the post is solid and the ground around it level.
A broken or rotten post will have to be removed and replaced. This will take more time and effort so check the rest of your fence carefully before going any further. If the post is rotten, the rest of the fence could also be starting to deteriorate. Your fence contractor can advise you whether the whole fence should be replaced.
If your fence appears to be sound and the post is set in soil, you may be able to replace it by taking the following steps:
- Remove the boards and/or rails that are attached to the broken post.
- Use a jack or strap to pull the post out of the ground, including broken pieces left behind.
- Use a post hole digger to enlarge the hole for your new post.
- Put the new post in place and tamp soil tightly in layers to tighten it, checking frequently to be sure it is straight.
- Reattach the boards or rails.
Posts that are set in concrete present a more difficult repair. You will either need to remove the pieces of the old post completely from the concrete pier to clear that space to set the new post or break up and remove the concrete pier itself and pour a new one.
Most fence posts are set at a depth of 18 to 24 inches, so removing concrete and bits of wood can be extremely difficult. Calling a professional to handle this type of repair may be your best option.
If you are concerned about a loose fence post or damage to your wood fence, or you are considering fence replacement or installation, contact the professionals at Fence Enterprises. Click here for information about the various fence styles and materials available from Fence Enterprises.