Fix a Leaning Fence

It isn’t unusual for a fence to sag or lean during its lifetime. In fact, it is to be expected. If you have a wooden fence, over time the structure might start to weaken and because the wood has begun to decay. Even metal fences might start to fail as the ground underneath moves, or they are battered by heavy winds. A fence in a poor state of repair can be bad for the aesthetics of your home and security!

If you are in this situation, use this guide to get your fence back in place and standing tall.

Why Is My Fence Sagging?

99% of the time when your fence’s structural integrity is failing, there is a problem with the posts. Naturally, this is where your investigation should start. Identify which posts are leaning or out of sorts and grab your shovel!

Step 1: Once you have identified where the problem lies, you will need to start digging around the post around ten to twelve inches down. Ideally, your neighbour will give you permission to work on both sides, although it is not absolutely necessary.

If you have concrete holding the fence post in place, you will need a pickaxe or hammer to get rid of it.

Step 2: Check the post for rot, as if this is the case it is likely to have happened underground. If the post is fine, we can continue, if it has rotten, you will need to cut out the rot. Make sure you spray the newly cut wood with preservative to stop further rot.

If the rot is extensive, you will have to replace the post entirely.

Step 3: Stand your post upright and ram it into the ground before using a spirit level to make sure it is entirely level. Secure your post somehow by ramming stakes into the ground to keep in position.

Step 4: From here, you have a couple of options. Firstly, you can either shovel the dirt you dug out around the post back into the hole and pack it down very tightly.

Secondly, you can prepare a concrete mix and pour it into the hole around the post. Keep pouring until the concrete is around two inches from the top of the hole. Allow the concrete to dry for 24 hours at the very least, before packing in the dirt to fill it to the top.

Remember to remove your stakes after the post is firmly in place and before the concrete dries!

Step 5: Repeat this process for any other posts that are not standing erect and fully upright. By the end of the process, your fence should be as straight as can be!

Take This Opportunity to Repaint Your Fence!

A lack of protective paint can be a really common cause of rot for all cut outside wood. Once you have got your fence straight again, give it a lick of paint to really have it looking as good as new! Who knows, it might save you having to fix it again in the future.