If you’ve got a wooden garden fence, you’ll likely notice at some point that one of your fence posts will need straightening, be it due to weather damage, general wear and tear, the ground moving, or an accident. However, if you don’t fix the issue correctly, your whole fence could be compromised, causing security issues and meaning you need to spend a lot more money and time fixing the problem.
In this blog post, we’re going to look at how you reinforce and straighten a broken or lopsided fence post, ensuring the stability of your fence and maximising the longevity.
Why Straighten a Fence Post
If your fence posts are damaged, it can cause issues across the entirety of your fence. For example, a broken or shallow post can cause the fence to go wayward, and this can cause bowing of the panels and widespread instability.
There are many things that can cause a fence post to become distorted, including bad weather, wood rot, or the post breaking over time. You might fall into the trap of thinking that a single post needn’t be repaired or replaced immediately, but failing to tackle the issue can mean you end up replacing the entire fence instead of just a post.
This naturally costs a lot more money and time and can cause disruption in your garden depending on the time of year and if you have pets or children who can’t get loose in the garden.
Easy Fixes for Fence Posts
Using EZ Mender Brackets
So, what are some easy fixes for fixing fence posts? Well, there are a few, with the main way being buying a metal fence brace that can be set into the ground and pull the post upright whilst remaining solid.
When using the brace method, make sure you choose the correct brace. An E-Z Mender bracket is suitable for posts mounted into soil, but if your fence post is rotten at ground level, try a Post Buddy stake instead. This will provide additional support and keep the post from breaking further.
Begin by pushing the E-Z Mender bracket into the ground and ensure it is straight. One bracket is often enough, although for extra stability use another bracket on the opposite side of the post. Using a mallet, hit the bump on the side of the bracket to drive it into the ground securely. Next, screw the bracket to the post with a relevant sized structural screw. It’s a good idea to have someone else present to push the post as you apply pressure to the screwdriver.
Using Fix-a-Fence Braces
If you have a leaning fence post that is mounted into concrete, use a Fix-a-Fence brace instead as this is essentially the same as an E-Z Mender, but it’s specifically designed for concrete. They can be mounted into the ground as well, but they’re more robust than traditional braces.
Begin by digging a hole 8 inches away from the post using a spade or clam-shell post digger. The hole should be dug on the opposite side to where the post is leaning. The hole should be roughly 18 inches deep.
Assemble your Fix-a-Fence brace if necessary – many come in 2 pasts and need to be connected. Next, mix a bag of concrete according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This can be done on a bag, in a wheelbarrow or occasionally in the hole itself depending on the concrete type.
Place the fix-a-fence brace into the hole pipe-first and ensure both it and the fence post are straight. You may want to use someone else to help with this. You should now begin to fill in the hole with the concrete making sure to evenly fill and check the straightness of both brace and post as you go. Wait for the concrete to dry (this is again different for each type of concrete so check your instructions). Once dry, cover with topsoil to hide the concrete from view.
Finish by screwing the brace to the post using the screws provided.
How Hassett Fencing Can Help
Sometimes, repairing your fence isn’t an option and a full replacement is necessary. If this is the case, Hasset fencing stocks a wide range of high quality fencing materials – including posts, panels, rails and trellis’. Whatever your material, style, specifications or size, we have a fencing solution that is guaranteed to last.
We can also help you increase the lifespan of your fence and prevent issues like rot with our range of fencing treatments. With our selection of wood preservers, you can protect your fence posts and fence panels, keeping your fence strong and stable for longer.
If you’re unsure what type of fence treatment is the best option for your fence, or if you need any further advice about maintaining or repairing your fence, please contact us.