Swing for the fences when fortifying your fence posts with these DIYs
Whether there's a wooden, aluminum, or even towering wrought-iron fence surrounding your property, every type of fence has one thing in common: It's anchored to the ground. Fence posts come loose when the ground shifts, the fence post rots, or the original installation fails, leaving you with a leaning post that’s less than attractive.
Larger issues with a single post can even bring the rest of the fence down with it, leading to more costly repairs. If you’re in need of a quick solution to avoid a larger problem, you should learn how to fix a loose fence post, stat. Luckily, there are several easy methods you can use to get your fence back in working shape, and nearly all of them are DIY-able in a single sunny Saturday afternoon.
Before breaking out your tools, you'll need to play Sherlock Holmes with the structure of your fence. Since your fence posts link together, it may be tricky to determine which one is the bad post at first glance. Begin by locating the post or posts that are coming loose from the ground by checking for some of these common issues.
Take a look at the fence’s structure from the ground up. Has the earth shifted around the base of a post or its concrete footing? If so, you may be able to stomp down the soil or gravel around your post and call it a day.
However, if erosion or flooding are big issues on your property, you'll also need to address these underlying causes before celebrating your job well done.
If you don’t properly treat them, wooden fences can fall prey to pests, such as wood-boring beetles, termites, and carpenter ants. Burrowing animals, like groundhogs, moles, and gophers, can impact all fence materials. Over time, these large pests may dig enough tunnels that they threaten the stability of your fence. If you’re dealing with pests, big or small, you’ll want to call a local pest control company to treat your fencing and the surrounding area.
Did a recent storm give your fence post a whack? Fallen branches, wind-blown debris, or heavy snow can all affect the stability of a fence. This type of damage will often be easy to spot, meaning you can treat the affected areas quickly.
Fences that are only a few years old shouldn't have loose posts. If the installer made errors during installation, double-check whether you paid for a warranty in the original cost of installing the fence.
If your loose fence post stems from a larger issue with the entire fence, we recommend calling a local fence company to diagnose whether it should be repaired or replaced. Or, if you're dealing with general wear and tear of wooden posts, you can easily restore an old wood fence yourself while providing extra support to the loose post.
Since fences often sit on or close to property lines, always begin by confirming that it is, indeed, your fence to fix. If it's a shared fence, you may need to locate the records of your property line, speak to your neighbor about its original construction, or, if you live within a private community, speak with your HOA before starting your project.
Decide whether the cost of fence repairs is worth it before fortifying the bottom of the post. Rot, structural damage, or pest problems all call for replacement. Professional post replacement can cost between $150 and $400, depending on the material and style, but you could pay as little as $20 for the supplies to fix it yourself.
When working on an individual fence post, it’s best to free it from the surrounding rails to avoid damaging the rest of the structure whenever possible. On a wooden split-rail fence, this will mean removing the horizontal rails from the insert. With a picket, board-on-board, or side-by-side fence, you’ll need to remove nails or screws from the attached rail.
Keep in mind that you may not be able to disconnect a metal or composite post from the surrounding rail. If this is the case, you may need to excavate around the base of the post to access its footing.
If your post was previously connected to a concrete or rigid foam footing and has since come loose, you'll need to remove the old footing altogether. Use a large shovel to dig around the post as well as around the old concrete footing. The original footing will extend several inches, or up to a foot in some cases, below your post and around its base. Dig out several inches away from the footing to loosen the soil, and use your shovel to leverage the ball out of the ground.
Now that you have access to the base of your post, it's time to reinforce the footing. Get your fence back in tip-top shape with the steps below.
Fence post ground spikes are an excellent option if you do not want to use concrete or foam footing in your lawn. It's also a creative option for fixing one post without disrupting the ground around the rest of the fence.
A fence post spike has two main sections: the long metal or plastic spike that goes into the ground and the casing at the top. The top casing often includes adjustable bolts to customize its width and tightly secure the spike to your post.
You’ll need to choose a spike that’s compatible with your fence and will give it the support it needs. A taller fence will need a longer spike. For example, a 24-inch spike can support fences up to 4 feet tall, and a 30-inch spike can support fences up to 6 feet tall.
Once you have the proper spike for your post, here's what to do:
Loosen the ground around the base of the post where you'll place the spike with a spade or a tiller. You may need to till rocky or sandy soil if it's compacted.
Place the spike just below where the post will go and hammer it into the ground with a sledgehammer.
Once the casing sits flush with the ground, use a level to ensure it is plumb (perfectly vertical). You do not want to install a slanted post.
Pack down the ground around the post for extra support.
Depending on the instructions included with your spike, insert the post into the casing and tighten the bolts around its base.
There are pros and cons to using both concrete and expanding foam for setting a fence post. Concrete is less expensive than foam, better for weight-bearing posts, and offers more flexibility to level the post after pouring. Additionally, learning how to mix concrete is simple and should only take about 20 minutes.
However, standard concrete will take a day or more to set, and you may need to brace the post for at least 30 minutes before the concrete sets. Fast-setting concrete is also a great option, but you’ll need to be ready with your level to ensure the post is in the right spot, as it can harden in a matter of minutes.
If you’re using concrete, always read the instructions carefully, especially when it comes to mixing any substances, and be sure to wear protective equipment such as gloves, goggles, and a mask.
With a shovel, dig or open up your fence post hole at least a third of the height of the fence post. A 9-foot post should sit 6 feet over and 3 feet under the ground. You may also need a spade or a garden hoe to break up tough roots below the soil.
Set the post in the ground and surround it with around 4 inches of gravel to encourage drainage and stability.
Pack another inch of soil around the top of the gravel to encourage the post to remain level.
Test the post with a level to ensure it is plumb and sits properly in place with the rest of your fence.
Follow the specific concrete mixing instructions on your container.
Surround the post with concrete and fill the fence post hole to the top. In most cases, you will be able to pour the concrete directly from the mixer with the attached chute. You can also purchase a specialized concrete rake to direct the mixture.
Use a trowel to level out the top of the footing slightly to discourage water from pooling around the base of the post.
When using standard concrete, brace the post to your fence with clamps for at least 24 hours.
Keep in mind that fast-setting concrete requires different mixing instructions and will set within 10 minutes.
If you're in a hurry to strengthen your fence post, expanding foam is easy to mix and will set within minutes, similar to fast-setting concrete. Foam will cost you roughly 25% more than concrete (which typically runs from $8 to $10 per 80-pound bag) and is not ideal for weight-bearing posts, such as those around a gate. However, it is a DIY-friendly option that doesn't require concrete-mixing tools.
As before, fully read all included instructions before beginning, always wear protective gear when handling expandable foam, and never touch the foam with your bare hands.
Dig your hole to the same dimensions listed above. All fence post holes should extend a third of the length of the post.
Open the hole to at least three times the size of the fence post. If you dig the hole too small, the expandable foam will spill over as it sets.
Set your post in the hole and surround it with 4 inches of gravel and an inch of soil on top for stability.
Since you will have very little time to level your post, ensure that it is even and stable at this stage. Bring in a friend to help you hold the post when in doubt.
Follow the mixing instruction on your container. In most cases, your package of foam mixture will include two bubbles separated by a seal. You will need to pop the connection between the two areas by holding each side and yanking them in opposing directions. Then, on the edge of any non-sharp surface, rub the package back and forth like you’re shining shoes to allow the substances to mix.
Note that the foam will begin the setting process immediately, so do not wait to pour it into the hole.
Surround the post with the foam and use the first few moments to ensure once again that the post is plumb.
If the foam expands over and out of the hole, wait a few moments for the foam to harden, then, using a hand saw, carefully cut the excess foam away from your post for a cleaner appearance.
The best way to ensure your fence post will stay strong and sturdy is proper installation. If you’re concerned about tackling this DIY yourself, call a local fence repair specialist to reinforce the post for you.
Once your post is back in its rightful place, here are some ways to keep it from going off-kilter again:
Address lawn drainage issues ASAP. Loose soil or water buildup can quickly lead to your fence post or the footing coming loose.
Replace fence posts at the first sign of structural damage.
Pack down the earth around your fence post if you suspect erosion.
Keep an eye out for pests and burrowing animals.
Do not lean heavy objects or lawn equipment up against your fence posts before checking their weight capacity.
Including labor, fence repairs cost an average of $30 per foot, depending on the repair. You can easily tackle fixing a leaning fence post yourself for way less no matter the method you choose, but it's not always the best bet.
In some cases, a large metal fence will be too heavy and cumbersome to reinforce without risking damage to the surrounding pickets or rails. Additionally, if you suspect that your leaning fence post stems from a larger issue, such as rot, always contact a professional to avoid wasting money on a temporary fix.
If your fence post is only beginning to wobble, pack down the ground around the base of the post. You can also use a supportive steel fence stake around the base of the post without removing it from the ground. However, if your fence post is loose enough to affect surrounding rails, it's best to fully reinforce the footing.
Yes. Some types of concrete, such as fast-setting concrete, allow you to pour the dry mixture into your hole or container before mixing it with water. Similar to expandable foam, however, the concrete sets quickly, so be sure to have your fence post level before mixing the ingredients. In some cases, fast-setting concrete is as strong as the standard type.
Debating between concrete or dirt fence footings depends on the type of fence you choose for your yard. You should anchor heavy, weight-bearing fence posts, such as metal privacy fences with gates, in the ground with foam or concrete. Soil and gravel may be strong enough for simple picket or split-rail wooden fences.
