How Do I Repair my Fencing?

[Skyfair]

I've got a paddock that held cattle but has been unused for several years. 6x6 PT posts are leaning badly. I can dig around them and use the tractor or a winch to pull them straight but how do I secure them and prevent this from happening again? Do I need to remove the rails and then reset them once the posts are plumb? I live in northern New England, so frost is an issue. Your experience and expertise is appreciated.

 

[alexpops]

How did it happen? Cattle pushing against it when they were there? or is it frost heave? Only one section, or all over? Did you put the wedges in to try & straighten, or were they there when you bought? What are planning to do with the paddock when fixed? If it was mine, I'd probably pull the fence, auger holes below the frostline & reset with some ReadyMix (if the posts are long enough -- if not ... new posts). Then, see what you can salvage from the rails & replace the bent/warped ones with new wood.

 

[CH4Ohio]

It's my experience that posts usually start snapping off right near ground level when I start pushing or pulling on them. Then you're stuck trying to get a buried stub out of the ground.

Might be easier to cut the nails with a sawzall, pull the posts, and then reset them in new ground. You could just move them to one side 4' or bring the fence in or out a few feet. I find it's easier to set or reset posts than deal with broken ones. At least that's been my experience.

You might find that the posts aren't worth using after you pull them too. Will just have to see.

Don't forget to fill up any unused post holes. Easy for people and animals to break a leg stepping in old post holes. Good luck with it!

 

[Skyfair]

How did it happen? Cattle pushing against it when they were there? or is it frost heave? Only one section, or all over? Did you put the wedges in to try & straighten, or were they there when you bought? What are planning to do with the paddock when fixed? If it was mine, I'd probably pull the fence, auger holes below the frostline & reset with some ReadyMix (if the posts are long enough -- if not ... new posts). Then, see what you can salvage from the rails & replace the bent/warped ones with new wood.

Unfortunately, the fence was in this shape when we bought the place four years ago so I don't know what caused the lean. The wedges were there but appear to be a short term fix by the previous owner that didn't work. We will likely have goats or sheep in the paddock after this - no cattle.

 

[dieselscout80]

I would guess that fence had a snow drift or piled snow left on it. If was cows I think they would have popped those boards off as the posts are leaning from the inside.

 

[Carl_NH]

As others have said, pull the boards off, pull the posts straight up and out. Using a chain or log tongs - you want to pull straight as possible so not to break off the post,

Using a Post hole digger redig the holes and reinstall or replace the posts. If you dont have a PHD, they can be done by hand but thats a lot of work. I use crusher run around the base tamping it in, then a half bag of sakrete, then last 8-10" fill and tamp until solid - effectively a donut to hold the post in the ground

Tractor Supply 5" round treated posts are pretty good for fencing if your 6x6 need to be replaced.

Then for goats and sheep, your board spacing is off - they will go under or through the fence. You need at least 4 rails 8-10" apart with the first one being 6 or 8" off the ground.

 

[LHF2019]

Is the fence sturdy as is? If so are you looking to fix for aesthetic reasons? I’m assuming you’re going to use woven wire on the inside. I would use as is if it is solid

 

[CH4Ohio]

I assume you've pushed on these posts, right? Are any of them rotted off right at the top of the ground? It looks to me like one or two posts in the middle of that span are already rotted in two.

I've had this happen on several sections of fence. In my case, posts would rot off at the ground and once one post gives way it just starts to spread the lean in both directions.

I've also had this happen at gates where a gate hanging perpendicular to the fence put stress on a post and just pulled it over time. Once they start to lean, every rain or snow or shrinking or heaving just makes the situation worse.

 

[Skyfair]

Posts are surprisingly solid. No weakness or rot detected...yet.

 

[CH4Ohio]

Posts are surprisingly solid. No weakness or rot detected...yet.

I am surprised! In that case, I'd just pull them and drill some new holes. Add a gate if you need to in order to change the post locations or just add a short 4' section and go from there. I'd rather pound in round posts than auger holes for square posts, but either would work. Good luck with it!