A leaning fence post not only diminishes your home’s curb appeal, but it can also cause further damage. In addition, if left unattended, these degraded posts can lead to expensive fence repairs. This leads homeowners to ask how to fix a leaning wooden fence post.
Potential Causes
Several factors, such as a rotten base, can contribute to a leaning fence. The wood at the bottom of the post is usually exposed to different elements, which causes material degradation. Another factor that can cause a post to lean is loose soil around the post’s foundation.
It could also be caused by something impacted or pressed against the fence post, such as a fallen tree or a vehicle. In some situations, the base of the post has given way, making it wobble in its hole. As you figure out how to fix a leaning wooden fence post, try to determine the potential causes before attempting to repair any fixture.
Essential Tools and Materials
Here are the standard materials and tools you will need to repair wobbly or leaning fence posts:
- Gloves
- Safety goggles
- Level
- Hammer/drill
- Braces
- Replacement railings (if necessary)
- Concrete (preferably a fast-setting mixture)
- Sand
- Shovel
- Gravel
- Saw (optional)
Some homes share fences or have their fence connected to the other one in the neighboring property. If your fences are designed this way, inform the other homeowner that you will do fence work. If you need to detach any part on your side of the fence, reconnect it back after completing the repairs.
Safety Considerations
After determining what caused a wooden fence post to lean, you should assess whether you have the tools or technical know-how to remedy the situation. Consider calling seasoned fence specialists if you have to move or handle unwieldy or otherwise heavy pieces of fencing material. It’s best to leave it to the professionals instead of risking potential injury.
How To Fix a Leaning Wooden Fence Post
Following are the steps necessary to repair a leaning fence post:
- Initial Assessment
The necessary repairs you will undertake will depend on the cause of the problem. For example, you may have to replace broken, bent or rotten fencing materials or posts. It may also be necessary to remove other railings or posts so you can replace the broken parts.
- Removal of Damaged Materials
In most cases, you will need to detach the leaning post from the rest of the fence. This means taking off any panels connected to the problem post. If the old post has rotted at the base, you will need to replace it with a new one.
Since you’re working with a wooden fence, place braces on either side of the post and wedge them to the ground to make the leaning post stay upright, attach any loose rails that may have come off.
- Keeping the Post Straight and Level
The next step is to make sure that the post is level and aligned with the entire fence. Use a level to ensure the post is straight, and adjust the braces. Add braces at the top of the post for added support, and the ones posted on the ground should have around a 45-degree angle to provide the most support for the replacement post.
- Refilling the Hole and Rebuilding the Base
You can fill the hole for the post with either soil or concrete. First, fill the hole with half and half gravel and sand. Next, pack the material tightly to provide a firm base for the fence post.
Alternatively, you can use concrete to fill the hole for a firmer base. Make sure to thoroughly mix the concrete and water. If you use fast-setting concrete, it will only take up to an hour to dry and four to six hours to cure. However, if you’re using regular concrete, you will have to wait 24 to 48 hours for the mixture to dry and around 28 days to cure and receive its effective strength.
- Reattach Panels and Rails
Finally, fill the hole at the base of the post with soil and tamp it down. Once secured, reattach the rails and fence panels. Make sure that all materials have been attached firmly.
Work with Seasoned Professionals
Your fence will require routine maintenance to boost your property’s curb appeal. For this reason, it is best to work with seasoned professionals in case of major repairs such as broken fence posts.
NorTex Fence & Patio has over 24 years of industry experience providing top-level fence work you can rely on. Call 972-382-7800 today or fill out this contact form to get a free estimate.