A wooden fence post is the security net for the rest of your fence, so it is important to replace the rotten fence post as soon as you notice any signs of rot. In Toronto, we endure a lot of seasonal weather changes. This means the harsh winter and the rainy spring are especially hard on your wooden fence post.
By performing a regular look-over of your wooden fence you should be able to spot any signs of rot and damage caused over time. It only takes one rotted fence post to single-handedly take out an entire fence. Read on to discover how to remove your old post and replace it.
Replacing a Rotten Fence Post
Materials That You Will Need To Replace a Rotten Fence Post
• Level
• Concrete
• Wooden Stakes
• Pressure Treated 2×4’s
• Drill
• Galvanized Carriage Bolts
• Wheel Barrow
• Spade (or some other type of Sharp edged tool)
How to Replace a Rotted Fence Post
Replacing a rotted wood fence post can be a pain to do, especially if you do not have the right equipment or experience. But don’t worry; it is really not as hard as it sounds and all it takes is a little bit of time and patience.
1. Evaluate
Check to see if your wooden fence post needs to be replaced or repaired first. In some cases, you may be able to repair the post using splints. In this case, we will teach you how to replace the post if it has completely rotted through.
• Hold onto the post and see how wobbly it is. If the post is still held together but feels loose in the ground, you might be able to use stakes to secure it back in place. However, using a concrete base will provide longer-lasting results.
2. Replace
• With your pressure treated 2×4s2×4’s that are the same length as your old posts, cut one end on both 2×4’s and on opposite sides of the post and put them into the ground.
• Using your level, make sure the post is levelled. This is important.
• Drill two holes on the post and each 2×4 and bolt together using galvanized carriage bolts.
3. Secure With Concrete
You can dig out the ground around the post and put it in a temporary brace.
• Mix your concrete together in a wheelbarrow and fill it in around the post’s base. Be sure to avoid any air pockets by using a spade.
• Top off the concrete with soil.
Tips and Hints:
• Depending on whether or not you are using soil to set the post or if you are using concrete – you need to make it firm. Concrete is longer lasting, but you need to make sure it’s air pocket free and tightly filled in before it dries.
• If you have a stained/painted fence, match up your fence post with the same colour as the rest of the fence for consistency and to make the exterior of your house look great.
How To Repair A Rotted Wood Fence In Your Homestead
Now that you have a good understanding of How to Replace Wood Fence Posts, it’s time to take a look at how to repair a rotted wood fence on your homestead. There are many ways to do this, and we will go over some of them below.
Keep in mind that repairing a fence is only for small holes or places where the wood has rotted out completely. If you have large areas of damage, it might be best to replace your fence altogether.
- First, you will need to locate the rot. You can do this by checking for splinters or cracks in the wood that have spread out from an initial point of damage.
- Next, use an electric drill with a small bit to drill holes into the affected areas of the fence. This will help prevent further damage while you work on repairs!
- Now it’s time to fill those holes with epoxy! Epoxy is great because it forms a waterproof seal that can last for years if done correctly (and even longer if you add paint). You can get epoxy at any hardware store or home improvement center; just ask someone working there where it’s located.
- After applying epoxy to all of your holes, let it dry overnight before continuing to step 5!
- The next morning, take a small paintbrush and apply a layer of paint to the epoxy to help seal it in place. This step is optional but recommended if you want your fence to last longer!
Important Things to Know About Fence Post Repair
You’ve probably heard the saying “a stitch in time saves nine.” Well, that applies perfectly to fencing. If you’re having trouble with your fence post repair and you don’t know what to do, you should take a look at these important things to know about fence post repair.
1. Fence posts need regular maintenance.
You can’t just leave your posts alone and expect them to stay in good shape for years on end. You have to check them regularly and make sure they’re still stable and secure. If there are any cracks or splinters, get them fixed immediately because they could lead to bigger problems down the road.
3. Use wooden patching material.
When fixing a broken fence post, always use a wooden patching material instead of metal because it won’t rust like metal will over time (especially if there’s moisture present).
2. Fence posts can rot over time.
Especially, if they aren’t protected from rainwater or moisture during storms or heavy rainfall periods like monsoons (which happen more often than you think).
4. Seal!
If you have a wooden fence, make sure it’s treated with a sealant or paint that prevents water from seeping into the wood and rotting it out from the inside. Don’t allow moisture to build up in the gaps between your boards or at the bottom of your fence posts. This is a common problem for wooden fences, but it can be remedied with caulking or sealant.
More Interesting Blogs Related to
“How to Replace a Rotten Fence”
Replacing a rotten fence post can be done efficiently by yourself if you are careful and mindful. Always factor in safety first when completing a do-it-yourself project. Replacing your fence post will give your old fence a new appearance and endure long-lasting seasonal changes with periodic evaluation. We know that this could take some time away from your free weekend or in some cases could cost you time away from work. So if that’s the case, why not have HPT do it for you?
Call us NOW at 416-494-9095 or email Brian@HomePaintersToronto.com! And don’t forget to follow us on all our social channels below as well!
