How to Replace Fence Posts

If fence posts need replacing, they have probably rotted below ground, causing them to break off. The life of a fence can be extended by using pressure-treated posts that are resistant to rot-causing fungi, termites and other wood-infesting insects. Setting pressure-treated posts in concrete further improves fence longevity. However, the use of concrete adds expense and labor to the project and may not be feasible when installing large numbers of posts.

Things You'll Need

• Claw hammer
• Crowbar
• Fence pliers
• Work gloves
• Post hole digger
• Shovel
• Pressure-treated posts
• Bags of concrete premix
• Source of water
• Contractors wheelbarrow or small concrete mixer
• Concrete mixing hoe
• Roll or cord or smooth wire
• Carpenter's level

Instructions

1. Remove the old posts from the fence. If the fence is wooden, hammer the planks away from the post far enough to slip a crowbar underneath the nail heads. Pry out the nails and remove the post. Use as little force as possible in removing the planks to avoid splitting them.

   If it is a wire fence, remove the staples with a claw hammer and fence pliers. Move the fence away from the post hole as far as possible to provide room to work.

2. Decide if you are going to pull the post stubs out of the ground or leave them. If they are to be removed, dig along two sides of the post with a post hole digger. After every two of three scoops of dirt have been removed, try to move the post from side to side while pulling upward. Repeat this procedure until the post can be removed.

   Once enough post is exposed to wrap a chain around it, a hydraulic jack or a three-point hitch on a tractor can be used to lift the post out of the ground.

3. Dig a new hole or clean out the old one for the new posts. Dig the holes to a depth of about 3 feet.

4. Prepare concrete in a wheelbarrow or small mixer using bagged concrete premix and water. If there is not a water supply near your fence, water can be hauled to the job site in barrels. Screwing a spigot into the small bung hole on a barrel makes it easier to transfer the right amount of water to the concrete mix.

5. Pour about 6 inches of concrete in the bottom of each post hole.

6. Run a strong cord or wire between two standing posts along the freshly dug holes to serve as a guide for installing new posts in a straight line. Keep the wire or cord taut.

7. Have someone insert a post into the poured concrete and hold it upright while you pour additional concrete into the hole, filling it to ground level.

8. Ensure that the post is still against the cord after the hole has been filled with concrete. Then place a level on the four sides of the post to align it vertically.

9. Let the concrete set for about 24 hours and then attach the fence to the new posts.

Tips & Warnings

• Immediately after pouring the concrete, it is a good idea to work a rod about the size of a shovel handle up and down several times in the wet mix to remove any air pockets that might have formed.

• Wear gloves and a long-sleeved shirt when handling the pressure-treated posts. Some wood preservatives can be a skin irritant.