How to Fix Leaning Fence Posts

We can send men to the moon but still seem to have not worked out how to ensure fences stay vertical!!! Watch me as I fix my fence post that really doesn't want to be like the others.

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[PissedoffAmerican]

What i’m really appreciating- this guy is putting the dirt coming out the ground into a bucket, as opposed to on the ground, creating an untidy area when job is complete!

[HandyChick]

Thanks Stuart, I'm a bit of a DIY'er myself and surprised in what I've achieved in my garden as a 53 yr old woman, but it keeps me fit, I've learned so much more from your video's, thank you do much Stuart, you're a huge help x

[coolproductions]

I subscribed as I laughed a lot when you said you buy tools, they sit there but can't find when you need them. This happens to me very often.

[annarouly]

I spend 3 hours looking for the tool, 1 hour doing the repair. Nice to see that I am not the only one.

[mikem]

This gentleman’s serious demeanor and deadpan delivery inspire one’s imagination. I can very easily picture him telling us about an airborne drop behind Argentine lines to execute clandestine demolition and sabotage operations during the Falkland Islands war. I expected a Sterling submachine gun to come out of that case.

[SniperUSMC]

Very good instructions, you just saved me about $1, 000 USD. Apparently I had the same lazy crooked contractors install my fence as you had install yours. Thank you!

[frankdutton]

Hi Stuart, As others have commented on how to get the existing concrete out without the best tool. A away around the issue is temporarily support the fence on both sides of post. The unfix the post from the rails and put the whole post out of the ground. Then, the concrete can be removed from around the post. It's then a simple process cleaning up the hole and reattaching the post for concreting.
Others have commented that the concrete should be exposed above the ground, which I agree. Another good practise is to put gravel in the hole before replacing the post. This away any moisture that seeps between the post and concrete can flow through the rocks and go into the ground as timber does shrink and expand all the time. Without the gravel, the post can be sitting on wet ground.
There were a few points that I will be using for projects in the future.

[smith]

I am a 70 year old female. Yes to this. Yes I have mixed concrete before. Yes I am British ❤

[AlanScottDavies]

I've been following Stuart for a while and I really don't think there is anyone better on You Tube that can teach and explained these DIY projects better than him. I have learnt so much and you are No 1 - thanks very much.

[keithnoneya]

Thanks, part of your problem is the cement should extend to about 1 inch or 25 mm above the ground. This ensures the water runs off the wood so it won't rot and break off. The other problem is the size of the concrete around the pole is quite small, it should have about another 2 inches or 50 mm across, or at least 1.5 the width of the pole on each side. This helps prevent wind from leaning your pole over when the ground gets wet from rain. To make things easier, detach the cross boards from the post, pull the whole post and the cement still attached to the pole. Wash it off, dig the hole a little bigger, put the post back in and fill the extra void with more cement. Leaving the cement attached to the pole means you'll need less cement to fill the hole. It also requires less expensive tools to complete the job. Super video though, Thumbs up. Thanks for sharing. Best Wishes & Blessings. Keith Noneya

[worstuserever]

Helpful guidance and excellent presentation with bonus deadpan delivery. I need to repair / replace my collapsing fence so this one's particularly timely. We had a good laugh over magic tools vanishing when you need them, so relatable.

[thorlo]

The main reason I subscribed to your channel is because of you. You have a wonderful British sense of humor, very dry, but also very good tips and and how fix problems. You always show how to fix the problem the right way not just your way. Two thumbs up!

[lawrence]

Great tip to offset the string to line up the post properly. I've watched a dozen or so videos about setting posts and always wondered how they were certain they were not pushing on the string ever so slightly. Appreciate the eye for precision.

[HROM]

I, too, had some fence posts I did not like. I pulled the entire fence up, saved what lumber I could, and that solved my problem. You have very good camera presence. Good work !

[jonlewislive]

I like that you said to have the cement angled down/away to avoid water pooling around the Post. Great tip!

[minheelee]

"We can send men to the moon but still seem to have not worked out how to ensure fences stay vertical!!!" Haha I truly agree with you while looking at my leaning post. I have a totally different situation with my post but I've got some inspiration from you video. Thanks.

[dwilliams]

I came across your channel regarding fitting internal doors for my sister and just found this whilst looking for tips on how to straighten my elderly Mums swooning fences to save her some much needed pennies. As I'm becoming accustomed to your channel and many like yours in Britain, there's no doubt at all that you're really an invaluable source of education for people and just wanted to show some appreciation for your efforts in sharing your skills. In times like these where DIY is becoming a must-have, you guys and gals in the trades deserve a lot of respect. So thank you.

All the best 👍

[Gibonz]

Some great tips. A coat of bitumen paint on the post to just above grass level is great for keeping moisture out also

[RiBenjafield]

Another well-explained and helpful video Stuart - thank you. Always wondered how to get the old concrete out and get everything plumb with tools I’ve already got. Glad you’re friends with all your posts again. 🙂

[DOCWHOK]

You never have to dispose of the old concrete rubble. you'll always use it as fill in the new bigger hole.
Sloping the surface away from tbd wood was an excellent tip!
Putting a couple of nails in the post will stop the post sliding up/dn.
Decades ago, we'd dip or paint the post end in oil to keep out water.