How to fix a leaning fence post

Hey guys, we had a little situation on one of our short let property, there was a crack in the earth in the back garden. At first it was scary and
various negative thoughts were flying about lol. After couple of days we noticed the fence started to lean and each time there’s a heavy wind it became worse.
There was a high risk that if we left it longer without a fix, it will surely cost more at a later time especially given the fence are joined and not panel frames.
Tools
• Shovel
• Heavy duty rope
• Spirit level
Materials
• Ready mix Postcrete
• Subbase

[@tonyking402]

Firstly, well done with creating a video about how to fix this very awkward problem. That aside, I believe your repair may (disappointingly) only be temporary. As a bit of background, I'm a builder by trade and was, for many years, a farmer by occupation so I have considerable experience in building fences for cattle and I've also constructed the occasional boundary fence (somewhat similar to the fence in this video) for people living in town.
The real problem you have appears to be the same as mine. It's about the soil type.
Our farm is on alluvial soil that shrinks and swells considerably depending on moisture content. Fence posts that are tight in winter end up flopping around in the breeze during summer and because they're directly driven into the soil (as opposed to being set in concrete), they can often be lifted out by hand. I suspect the soil you're working on has the same shrink-swell problem.
The only effective solution I've come across involves using much longer posts so they're anchored well into soil that remains moist during the whole year, thus avoiding the shrinkage when the soil dries. I doubt you want to go to the trouble of replacing all those posts with longer ones for a more durable solution but in my thinking, it's the best solution to the problem.
There may be an alternative but I wouldn't like to stake my reputation on it. That would be to make a wide, thick, heavily reinforced concrete 'mowing stip' underneath the fence, thereby tying all the posts together as a single entity. It would also require the cooperation of your neighbour as it would work best if extended at least 30cm on both sides of the fence line. The one problem I can foresee with that solution is, however, if the seasonal soil shrinkage caused the whole fence, mowing strip and all, moved in unison.
I'll leave those thoughts with you and kindly wish you the best of luck.

[@KeenAesthetic1]

Nice work, especially the bracing and not having neighbour-side access!
I've been quoted thousands for my fencing and this video's given me the confidence in the steps to make a great saving! Thanks so much!

[@GlowSync]

Glad you find the video helpful.....it will also save you some ...£s 🙂

[@paldeusjaco9657]

Thank you so much for sharing this. This is exactly what the issue I have. All the other repair videos were way more complicated than I needed. Thank you again, much peace!

[@GlowSync]

@Paldeus....its great to know that this video is helpful. Hope you were able to fix yours too by following the process?

[@paldeusjaco9657]

@@GlowSync Sorry for the delay on this. Yes I was able to fix mine following what you did. I didn't have anything to tie onto though so I have a little sub-compact tractor I used to tie the post to till the cement was ready. Thank you again!!!

[@BATT_DAMON]

Property looks quite new and those fence posts aren’t small. Shoddy builders! Good job mate.

[@robertb8824]

Professional fence installer for over 5 years. I'm 90% sure your problem is not the cracking earth; it's that the post was not set deep enough. Every time I came to a repair job with post and concrete moving like that, it was a shallow post set.
If I'm right the ONLY permanent fix is to replace the post and go down at least 2 feet maybe more depending on the conditions in your location. 3 feet should be enough for almost everyone.

[@davidbent347]

Extremely satisfying solution... Keep up the good work 👏 👍

[@GlowSync]

Thanks David 😊

[@heritageadeoye2359]

Woww lovely video sir

[@godsheritageadeoye6456]

Yes indeed👍

[@natet6850]

Really nice you make DIY look so easy 😀

[@GlowSync]

Thanks Nate 😊

[@hafcanadiana318]

I did something similar when my neighbors overwatering softened her side and frustratingly allowed the wind to move our 2-year-old replacement posts and concrete toward her yard. On her side I dug down around the newer concrete after using 2X4's to hold it straight up again, with a very slight lean toward my yard to compensate for future micro-movement back. I didn't dig to the bottom of the concrete base, but flared the hole out to either side several inches, forming a "fan" or "wings" that go several inches down. Then poured fresh Sakrete in the hole with added horizontal rebar to resist cracking. The broad shape helps resist the main concrete base from moving toward her yard by pressing against a wider area of soil, wet or not.
I think the basic issue with our posts is we try to use those cardboard tube forms to get concrete above the soil line, which helps rainwater drain away from the post rather than sitting around it, rotting it. Immediate fence boards must be notched around the high post base, no biggy. We taper the top of the concrete around the post with a concrete spatula to help with this drainage theory. All well and good, and it does keep post rot away, but the tubes make for a small diameter concrete base, and it too easily can move in the soil in wet, windy weather. We may look for wider tubes, or dig bigger holes and use 4-6inch rings cut from the tubes to form only the top of the wider, heavier concrete base. Of course if (when) a post does rot off it'll be a bear to bust up and remove the old concrete 🤔.
Another issue I'm having is my fresh replaced post concrete in a tube develops cracks in the tops. Gotta be I'm using too dry or too wet of a Sakrete mix. But I don't know which. Next time I may try your dry mix technique; a lot of people, even pros, do it that way here these days - no shovel and wheelbarrow mixing. I've just never had confidence that all the dry stuff gets wet or that too little or too much water is used. Mixing by hand I can see what the consistency is; it just seems that my take on what's okay in that regard isn't right either, despite having built concrete abutments and barn supports with no such issue years ago.

[@bamideleruth6341]

Very Good step by step guidance you are giving👍

[@GlowSync]

Thanks 😊

[@TheMac01mac]

Great instructions, had the same problem with my fence post.

[@PhongLe-bz9lj]

Thanks Dude I have same problem with my fence. Good video explaining step by step how

[@jayvidal7395]

Will definitely save me time and money. Thank you sir.

[@GlowSync]

Thanks Jay 😊

[@godsheritageadeoye4512]

So after all this was the fence finally stable?

[@kaleblawrence976]

a tip: watch movies at flixzone. Been using them for watching a lot of movies recently.

[@maisoncory4967]

@Kaleb Lawrence yea, have been watching on Flixzone for years myself =)

[@jasearturo9181]

@Kaleb Lawrence definitely, been using flixzone for months myself :D

[@GlowSync]

Hi Tola, apologies for the late reply can't believe I missed this. Yes the fence was stable and despite the recent storms it's still standing 🙂

[@scooter2d2]

How long did you wait before removing the braces on the posts?

[@adecraft4576]

Very intuitive idea

[@davidban4800]

Woww thanks for sharing...very intuitive content

[@GlowSync]

Thanks 😊

[@stephenpasinella1585]

Awesome video pal👊🏻👌🏻

[@inioluwaadeoye4660]

Thanks for sharing this educative content

[@GlowSync]

Really glad it adds value 🙂

[@graceofgod4510]

I love this mr Tosin

[@GlowSync]

Thanks 😊

[@waltongraham7031]

Excellent video Bro. Will this concept work with shallow holes I only have about 8-10” to install posts because of a gas line or PVC pipe running along the fence line. There was formerly a wooden fence there that I’m replacing that was rotten.

[@GlowSync]

@ Walton, if you have a 3 inch wide post that you need to sit over 1.83m (6ft) in height above the ground, i will recommend the hole size should be: 230mm [wide] (9”) x 600mm [depth]. This rule of thumb that can be followed for all size posts (e.g. a 6ft high fence would require a hole depth of at least 600mm or 2ft).
The concept should work especially if the gas line and PVC pipe is not running directly under the post.

[@HIYAharry]

Got the same thing & can get access to my neighbours garden. What would you have done differently if you did have access to your neighbours garden? Cheers

[@GlowSync]

Hi Harry,
If I had access I would have pegged the 4x4 as a pivot in my neighbours garden to push the fence upright and a rope may not be required to pull it upright 🙂.

[@superL-ic3km]

Can you provide me with the names of all the tools and stuff?

[@AB-sj3wd]

Thankyou sir, I've got the same problem im going to fix the problem tomorrow hopefully the rain stops. 👍

[@GlowSync]

I'm really glad this video is helpful 🙂

[@godsheritage7258]

Woww very good content Mr Tosin who knew leaning fences were that easy to fix?😅😅😅

[@GlowSync]

Thanks Heritech 😊

[@JoseAlvarez-rz6sl]

Ok i see but mine is the other way becouse of the dogs hitting it to drop it down . Now how do you fix that if on the other side there's no room to brace it and the neighbor does allow anyone there.

[@adecraft4576]

Very educative content

[@GlowSync]

Thank you Ade 🙂

[@vickyooh317]

That's good show,,learned something

[@GlowSync]

Really glad it adds value 🙂

[@AT-hm9fv]

All you needed next was to pull out the barbecue grill 😂 good job

[@GlowSync]

You got that right! Patiently waiting for the sun. 🙂

[@EastCoastReefer]

Professional job!

[@GlowSync]

Thanks 😊

[@JOSEPHABWAVO1]

I love your job brother,

[@GlowSync]

😃

[@tayeonihdavid7834]

Hmm very good content

[@GlowSync]

Thank you 😊

[@boscochin2844]

Bro you are expert,

[@GlowSync]

Hahaha 😅

[@ahmdm8706]

Wow I ve learnt so much

[@GlowSync]

I'm really happy this video adds value to you 🙂

[@kingherit523]

Very good video brother

[@GlowSync]

Thanks 😊

[@pinzyyadeoye3089]

Very good one

[@GlowSync]

Thanks 😊

[@baronapple]

question: once you dig the hole around the post, so you just push it back to ensure it's straight?

[@GlowSync]

No, I used spirit level to ensure its straight......that part was not captured in the recording

[@zarcero21]

Nice work

[@GlowSync]

Thanks Mike 😊

[@tostab7029]

what is the name of the pressure washer you used to wash the pavings?

[@GlowSync]

Its called Karcher pressure washer. This particular one is the K4 model. Its really good 👍

[@josphatgaliavo5048]

Perfect one,,, I have gained a lot

[@GlowSync]

Happy this adds value 🙂

[@muhammadshahabaz3420]

Good job

[@GlowSync]

Thanks Muhammad

[@anamrani295]

Good contact

[@supunilpatabadige7133]

Awesome

[@GlowSync]

Thanks Supunil 😊

[@citizintvs6135]

Good one

[@GlowSync]

Thanks 😊

[@brainsidetv5284]

Great

[@GlowSync]

Thanks 😊

[@patrioticPaula]

Great, good idea

[@GlowSync]

@ Paula thanks 😊

[@loicojosh7338]

Thanks bro,,, keep it up

[@GlowSync]

Thank you

[@fulfilmentadeniran2756]

Woww I've learnt so much👍🥺

[@GlowSync]

Really glad it adds value to you 😀

[@tebimaryadeoye2075]

It was interesting

[@josephabwavo8305]

Nice content

[@GlowSync]

Thanks 😊

[@davidadeoye9823]

Good video bro

[@GlowSync]

Thanks 😊

[@shafqathassnain1259]

Amazing

[@GlowSync]

Thank you 😊

[@davidadeoye5302]

Bravo!!!

[@GlowSync]

Thanks David

[@davidinioluwa1318]

Good content

[@GlowSync]

Thank you 😊

[@mahmd1528]

Very nice vedio

[@GlowSync]

🙂

[@MAli-iv2yt]

Wow good vedio

[@GlowSync]

Thanks 😊

[@boomaccheldo528]

perfect

[@GlowSync]

🙂

[@moscowspider9805]

learned something

[@GlowSync]

Really glad you did 😊

[@MImran-ux6to]

Nice

[@GlowSync]

Thank you

[@jannatrajput8437]

Good vedio

[@GlowSync]

Thank you Jannat

[@godsheritageade4023]

Good

[@GlowSync]

Thank you 😊

[@asia_bukhari]

Wow

[@GlowSync]

😊

[@newsupdatetv2370]

nice

[@GlowSync]

Thanks 😊

[@mojolaopadiran642]

Lol those kind of fences can be annoying at times😅😅

[@GlowSync]

Tell me about it......😃😃😃

[@waltongraham7031]

Amen I’m having the blues right now with one! Soft soft ground and one side of fence with shallow post holes.🤔🤔

[@JoseAlvarez-rz6sl]

Also the fence face is on my side so the post are in his side not on my side

[@heritageadeoye3473]

You should have tried to talk to your neighbour about the issue tho😅

[@GlowSync]

I actually did but when I started he wasn't available until later when I had made alternative arrangements 🙂

[@BarrySoetoro187]

Use clamps there's no need to screw into the post

[@GlowSync]

Thanks BarrySoetoro187, I didn't have a clamp handy when I was fixing the fence so had to improvise 🙂

[@Just-u7q3l]

I think what you could have done is put a galvanised flat metal bar with holes it’s about 1 meter long, half of it goes in to the ground and other half gets screwed up in the post, you can put 2 flat bar per post, you can buy them from toolstation, screw fix or any diy retailers. The more stronger method is to put concrete repair spur. I hope you understand. This job you done is not the best, not solid enough.

[@shattabundee8370]

Lol leaning fences aren't nice

[@GlowSync]

Telling me about it 😀

[@stephenpasinella1585]

Awesome video Pal👊🏻👌🏻

[@GlowSync]

Thanks Stephen 😊

[@stephenpasinella1585]

Hell yeh! Keep up the great work ✌🏻💙

[@FunnyVideo-xw8rn]

So nice vedio

[@GlowSync]

Thanks 😊