Help with my fence repairs

NBee · 20 Mar 2017

Hi all. My fence was a victim of the recent windy weather. I have time on my hands, so would like to fix this myself if I can, just need some advice on the best way about things.

One post blew down, breaking at ground level. The post was way too tall to start with, so I can re-use it. I've sawn the damaged bit off and it's fine. I've also bought a Metpost, and cut another piece of the post as the piece you use to hammer in the Metpost.

However (nothing's ever easy!) the existing post was supported by concrete, which looks like it was probably just poured into a hole in the ground around the post. I've tried digging out the post from the base, but after lots of chisseling I've got about six inches down and no sign of the end yet, and it's getting harder to go any further. I can't push the Metpost through the hole in the concrete base (a. because the post struts are too wide and would hit concrete before it gets all the way down, and b. because I don't know if the concrete base is actually under the post, or just around iit).

What is the best way forward? Do I have to dig out the entire original concrete base? Is there an easier way of digging out the post from the base? Any other ideas?!

Tigercubrider · 20 Mar 2017

Normally 25% of the post is below the ground.
So a 6 foot fence has 2 feet underground

If the fence is made of panels then really you need to dig out the concrete.
You can buy concrete repair posts that go into the ground and bolt up to a broken wooden one

Normally one digs a deep but narrow hole for the post , adds the post and postcrete then water

Iamchamps · 20 Mar 2017

After the storm we had I was in the same boat. I however spent a good hour digging out the remains of the old post and cement which was roughly 2 feet deep. If you want to do a proper job dig it all out, buy a new post they are cheap and a bag of quick dry cement and away you go. The whole job took me 2 hours. Putting the panels back up is the easy part.

NBee · 20 Mar 2017

Thanks for the replies. I'm rather worried that the existing concrete base will be too big to shift, even if I do dig it out. Is that likely?

If I do dig the old one out, is using a Metpost instead of concrete a sensible option still?

Iamchamps · 20 Mar 2017

If you dig the old one out you might as well go the whole distance and cement the new one. I am not a fence expert but a metpost I think is "cutting corners" as such rather than doing a proper job.

To get out the cement I just kept digging further out until I found the edges and then dug down. While the ground is soft it is easier if summer would be harder.

LeadFarmer · 21 Mar 2017

I dont like those spiked Metposts, they never seems o hold well. I recently installed a fence along a friends garden, he was happy for me to use spiked Metposts as he was soon to be selling his house to a house builders as part exchange for a new build, so just wanted the cheapest method of erecting a fence to keep his dog contained. The fence is still standing ok a few months later, but I expect it to fall down next winter with a decent wind.

For me, i'd use concrete every time. Your existing concrete shouldn't be any more than 2 - 3ft deep. It might seem hard work, but it should smash up with a long breaker bar or similar.

Tigercubrider · 21 Mar 2017

Also probably too late now but easier to remove a cemented post in it's entirety, using the post as a lever
Try not to dig around the cement too much as you end up with a weak earth base in which to pour the concrete.

LeadFarmer · 21 Mar 2017

Tigercubrider said:
Also probably too late now but easier to remove a cemented post in it's entirety, using the post as a lever

True, but his post broke at ground level so had nothing to act as a lever.

Zac Spade · 21 Mar 2017

My old man had to get rid of huge rocks before he could lay the foundation for his house

He found he could buy stuff which you drill in, then a while after you have put it in splits the rock. You could look into this (not sure on prices, availability etc.). I'm sure it would be easier to take the concrete out in pieces rather than as one big section

You could also try to move the posts over and maybe amend the fence. I know this may sound like a lot more work but it might be easier in the long run. And cheaper money and time wise.

Maybe a few images would help make things a little clearer also

Tigercubrider · 22 Mar 2017

If you could manage to force a large rod into the remains of the wood that's still in the concrete, you could use that to wiggle the concrete like a loose tooth. Or hire a breaker ( a bit OTT for one) for day.

I have wiggled most out, used a breaker where several gardens all converged fence ways, and this resulted in a massive block of concrete holding fences in four directions, and used a lump hammer and long cold chisel.

NBee · 23 Mar 2017

Thanks again for all the replies. I'm in no rush with this so it's all useful to me to decide the best course of action.

One thing I just realised, is that my new Metpost will fit into the existing hole in the concrete (for some reason I thought it was too wide). But of course the old wooden post is still in the hole for at least a foot down, I've digged out about six inches. Do you think that a strong bloke with a sledge hammer could get the Metpost to go through the old post and into the ground?

Tigercubrider · 23 Mar 2017

presumably you have a soft ground met post?

they are available in several forms, including a basic rod for setting in concrete, or perhaps better for you, a flat base that bolts down to studs left in concrete. You could simply fill the hole with postcrete, add the met post and post combo, brace it so it is exactly in place, and add water to set the concrete. Incorporate the old concrete in the new.

NBee · 23 Mar 2017

No, it's the typical two foot long spike type, with the cross section that looks like an X.

Tigercubrider · 23 Mar 2017

http://www.diy.com/departments/metpost-steel-post-support-l75mm-w75mm-d75mm/191076_BQ.prd

Get the position correct and concrete this in

NBee · 24 Mar 2017

What about my other question above... "Do you think that a strong bloke with a sledge hammer could get the Metpost to go through the old (rotting timber) post and into the ground" ?

If that's possible then it's by far my easiest option.

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Help with my fence repairs

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