How to Remove a Broken Wooden Fence Post

Replacing a broken wooden fence post helps maintain the fence line.

Wooden fencing adds an element of style to many homes and properties as well as serves a utilitarian purpose, such as keeping animals out (or in.) There are times when weathered fencing needs to be replaced, such as when a wooden support post in the fence line has become broken. Replacing the post can be a relatively simple do-it-yourself project that can be completed in an afternoon.

Things You'll Need

• Claw hammer
• Water
• Garden trowel
• Point-end shovel
• Chain

Instructions

1. Remove the fencing that is directly attached to the broken post. If the fence is a wooden rail fence, simply slide out the wooden beams from the fence and set aside. For posts that have metal fencing such as barbed or chicken wire, carefully use a claw hammer to remove any nails or metal stapling that hold the fence to the post.

2. Clear away any fencing that you loosened from the immediate area to allow you room to work. Inspect the base of the post at soil level to determine if the post is dug directly into the soil or features concrete mooring.

3. Wiggle the post to determine if there's any give in the soil. If so, keep wiggling the post in a circular manner to loosen it enough to where your can pull it up from the soil. You can pour a gallon or two of water directly into the base to loosen the soil as well, thus loosening the post. Note this method only works for posts dug directly into the soil.

4. Dig around the base of the poured concrete mooring with a garden trowel. Dig deep enough to determine how far the mooring lies: if it's fairly shallow, dig a lip a few inches wide around the base of the mooring and use a point-end shovel as a lever by inserting it into the lip. Press down on the handle repeatedly to muscle the post out of the post hole.

5. Dig a large trench, at least 5 inches wide, around the base of the mooring if it runs fairly deep. Wrap two to three coils of chain around the mooring, as close to the soil as possible. Wrap the other end of the chain to a truck hitch or cinch and drive the truck or crank to remove slack in the chain, thus pulling the mooring from the ground.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear protective rawhide gloves when dealing with metal fencing to prevent accidents.

References

• "Wooden Fences"; George Nash; 1999