How to Brace a Corner Fence Post

Braces help to hold the corner fence post in place.

The corner fence post is under stress from tight fence wires. These wires will pull the post out of the ground if it is not properly reinforced. The corner set consists of four H-braces that normally run at a 90-degree angle along the two property lines. Different soils in the United States offer different challenges for the bracing. Embedding the corner posts deeply, usually with concrete, is the beginning of bracing your corner posts.

Things You'll Need

• 5 stout nine-foot posts
• 4 eight-foot braces
• 9 gauge smooth wire
• 4 three-foot lengths of pipe
• Concrete
• Post hole digger
• Wire cutters

Instructions

1. Install the corner post. The corner post will need to be installed a minimum of 3 1/2 feet deep. It is best to have a concrete base that is a minimum of two feet in diameter and 36 inches below the ground level. Corner posts can be made of metal or wood. Metal posts should be four inches in diameter, while wood posts should be at least six inches in diameter.

2. Install four posts along the fence line. Install two wooden or metal fence posts eight feet from the corner posts in each of the two directions the fence line will run. These four posts need to be embedded in concrete and buried a minimum of 36 inches below ground level. Allow concrete to set before anchoring your posts to each other.

   A double-span corner brace is recommended for fences that are longer than 650 feet between corner sets. A single-span corner brace can be used for shorter distances. It uses only three upright posts rather than five posts needed in the double-span corner set.

3. Install the braces between the posts. After the concrete has set, install a brace between each of the eight-foot spans. For wood posts, cut a small notch six inches below the top of the post. Secure an eight-foot length of wood between the posts. Use screws or nails to secure the brace into the notches in the post.

   For metal corner posts, weld an eight-foot piece of pipe between each of the four spans of your fence line.

4. Wrap wire from the bottom of the corner post to the top of the first brace post a minimum of two times. You want to secure the wire to the bottom of a wooden post by stapling it in place. Thread the nine-gauge wire from the bottom of the corner post to just above the brace of the second post and back to the bottom of the corner post. You want to wrap the wire around the two posts at least twice.

5. Place the short piece of pipe between the two wraps of wire. Turn the pipe in a circle to cause the wire to twist upon itself. Tighten the wire as much as possible. When finished, the tension of the wire should hold the end of the pipe firmly against the horizontal brace.

   Repeat the wire wraps and twisting for the remaining three spans.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear goggles and gloves when constructing corner sets.

References

• University of Missouri: Constructing Wire Fences
• University of Wisconsin: Bracing
• University of Tennessee: Planning & Building Fences on the Farm