To replace a fence post, you just detach the fence, then pull the pole from the ground, then set a brand new post and reattach the fence. That doesn’t sound complicated, but in fact, getting an old fence post from the ground may be a big job, especially if it has rotted at bottom level. When there are hints to make the job easier, you may need a reasonable amount of brute force.
Detaching the Fence
It’s important to get the fencing just as far from the way as possible, so you have space to work on the post. When the rails are connected to the poles with screws, then you may just back out the screws with a screwdriver, but if they are put into mortises, then you may have to cut the tenon on one of the lower rails so that you can wiggle the pole enough to free another rails. Once the fencing is absolutely free, swing it as far as possible to one side and encourage it on blocks until you’re ready to reattach it.
Pulling the Post
Soaking the ground, digging round the base and wiggling a pole set in concrete or gravel frequently loosens it enough to pull out. If this doesn’t work, then there are several techniques to pry it out. One way is to drive screws into one side of this post in the underside, hook a long two-by-four under them, place the two-by-four onto a cinder block fulcrum and utilize it like a lever to pull the pole straight out. Another way that works well if the post has rotted at bottom level would be to hook a string around a solid portion in the base, then attach the string to an auto jack and then pump the jack.
Setting a New Post
If a post has been put in concrete, the concrete will come out with this post, leaving a clean hole for a replacement. All you have to do is drop in the new post, level it and pour concrete into bottom level. Brace the post with two-by-fours until the concrete sets, which usually takes approximately 24 hours. As soon as you remove a post from gravel, then you can get rid of the gravel from the hole with a post-hole digger and use it to place the new post. As long as it is small-gauge drainage gravel, then the post should be nearly as secure as though it were in concrete.
Reattaching the Fencing
Generally, once the post is secure, it is possible to just bend the fencing back to place and nail or screw it. To avoid having the fence pull the post from alignment, it is a fantastic idea to attach both top rails, and then both bottom ones. If the fence contractors employed a mortise and tenon construction, then you need to chisel mortises from the poles and place the rails to them before you put the post. That makes the job of placing the post simpler, because the rails help hold it stable while the concrete sets.