Replace Fence Post Without Removing Fence

You could dig it out but that takes too long.

Replace fence post without removing fence. Toss the soil and rotted wood onto a tarp for easy clean up. You can however build a fence on your property right behind it if your neighbors are not on board with replacing the fence. To determine depth measure the old post from the top to where it set in the soil. You can either remove the fencing with a pry bar or cut out the damaged section with a handsaw.

Thankfully the process is actually quite simple and knowing how to do it will allow you to replace anything from a single rotten beam to an entire fence. Remove the rotted fence post and dig out any wood left in the fence post hole. Dig out the concrete footer if there is one then set a new pressure treated post and backfill the hole with crushed gravel or concrete. Slide a 24 inch long 2x4 under the fence on each side of the rotted post.

Subtract that from the length of the new post. Use a sledgehammer to break up the concrete around the old post. Pull the post out of the ground using a 2 x 4 to lever it if necessary. Removing an old fence post can be a pain in the ass especially if the post has rotted and fallen off.

Make the hole about 6 inches wider than the post on all sides. To replace a wooden fence post start by disengaging the post fro the fence rails. Enlarge the existing fence post hole with a post hole digger. The answer is the depth you need for the new.

Here s how to remove a rotten fence post quickly and easily with a shovel and sledge hammer as well as how to set the replacement post so it s strong sturdy and won t rot again. Dig the new hole if you cut off the post. Dig as close to the old hole as possible exactly even with it. That s because fence posts are set in a concrete footing that is usually at least two feet deep in the ground.

Once the repair is complete use new nails when replacing fencing and rails. Replacing a fence post may seem like a daunting task especially if concrete held the original post in place. Pull the fence section away from the rotted post. Don t worry if you don t own all of the tools needed to remove or repair your fence.

Here s how to fix repair and replace broken fence posts and poles easily as long as things are thought ahead and you used the fence post socket system befo. When repairing a post remove the fencing and rails connected to it.