Our fence panels are mostly straight, but three posts lean slightly after a wet winter. The panels haven't collapsed, and the wood looks sound above ground. I'm worried the bases are loosening in the soil and that new panels would simply inherit the problem. Before replacing anything, how do you check whether posts can be reset or braced versus needing to be dug out and replaced?
Handling a fence that is straight but several posts are starting to lean
- home-improvement
- handling
- fence
- straight
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4 replies
First thing I’d do is check whether the posts move at the top or if the whole footing seems loose. If you can grab a post near ground level...
First thing I’d do is check whether the posts move at the top or if the whole footing seems loose. If you can grab a post near ground level and it rocks, that usually tells you more than how straight the panels look. A post can look fine above ground and still be done underneath.
Yep, and I’d poke around the base for gaps, soft soil, or water pooling after rain. If only the upper part leans a little, bracing may buy time. If the base is loose in the ground, resetting is often just temporary.
When you say “rock,” do you mean with just your hand or using a pry bar? I’m not trying to be fussy, I just don’t know how much movement cou...