The best way to remove a fence post installed on a solid concrete foundation if the wood post breaks at ground level without digging or using expensive equipment. There are many solutions on the internet that are satisfactory when the fence post is strong and sturdy: use a pry bar to lift the fence post, dig a trench on the side of the fence post and push the post out, lift the post using a bumper jack or high-rise farm jack, or bringing in heavy equipment, but each of these methods doesn’t really address the common dilemma a homeowner faces after wind damage: the wood post breaks.

Too often the fence post is splintered so there is nothing solid above ground available, the foundation is of unknown dimension and depth, and the fence to be repaired is in a location close to the structures that make it difficult for a backhoe to access (not even taking into account the cost of rent or the damage they may cause to shipyards). In the event that only a few fence posts are damaged on a fence, the new posts should be put in the same position – cutting the broken posts below grass level and installing the replacement wooden posts using an offset is simply it is not a solution.

Applying a combination of approaches is the best approach: first reduce the soil’s hold on the post using the wood post puller (a simple engineering solution to the dilemma) and then perform the best available lifting technique. Using a brute force procedure to lift concrete is clearly a bad idea; Concrete is extremely strong when compressed, but extremely brittle when pulled; in fact, the tensile strength of concrete is only about 10% of its compressive strength. Getting the cement out of the ground is very likely to cause dangerous flying chunks as the concrete fractures under stress.

Removal of fence posts and concrete pads

Step 1: Remove anything attached to the wooden post and clear the area around the post and the cement pad.

Step 2: With the water hose connected and the water flowing, push the spike tool all the way into the ground at the edge of the cement pad.

TIP: Try to move the post after the initial insertion – any kind of shift of the cement pad in the ground (even vibration) will allow water to work its way along the surface of the concrete pad and develop a thin layer of mud. . If the fence post is broken, try driving a pry bar into the existing wooden post and then either push the bar back and forth, or hit the cement pad hard from side to side with a mallet. Now try to raise the fence post and the cement base following the instructions in Step 4. Often the wooden post comes off!

Step 3: Repeat step 2 at even locations around the base; typical fence posts will require less than 4-6 insertions of the spike tool, but stubborn posts may need the spike tool inserted every 2-3 inches until you have circled the entire spike tool. cement jogging If you are unable to remove the fence post and cement pad in Step 4, repeat Step 3 in even more places around the post.

Step 4: [Different lifting methods could be selected] Securely insert a pry bar into the cement pad at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the ground. Duplicate the arrangement on the opposite side of the cement base. The closer the pivot is placed to the base, the more leverage is used. Two 5- to 6-foot pry bars are great, but a multitude of other things can be applied as well. Fully insert the dowel into the ground right next to the cement pad. With the water open all the way to the spigot, apply an even downward force on both pry bars. [requires 2 people], raising the base and the concrete post. Don’t rush this step: allow time for the water to begin to build hydraulic force on the underside of the cement pad and aid in lifting. The water must be open during this action or lifting the concrete pad will start to create a suction force that will push the fence post down.

TIP: If the bars are sinking into the ground, support them with scrap 4x4s or old fence posts.

TIP: Start the pry bar position at 45 degrees or less; if they are too vertical, the bars will press against each other and will not lift the cement base off the ground.

step 5: Alternatively, remove either toggle bar and return to the 45 degree starting position, using the other toggle bar to support the concrete pad during reset. After resetting both pry bars, repeat steps 4 and 5 until the post is completely removed from the ground.

Caution: The combined cement post and foundation is heavy (often over 100lbs)! If the cement pad remains complete, you will be able to remove the post and cement pad as one solid piece. If the cement base has cracked often enough, the pieces can be pulled out together due to the fact that the pry bars compress them towards each other. another as a puzzle. Even if the wooden post is considerably rotted inside the concrete base and the parts break off, they will simply pick up after the main part is removed; simply reach into the ground and peel the damaged cement from the sides of the hole and from the bottom.

Immediately cover or secure the opening to prevent any accidental entry or injury.

Since you’ve removed the post and cement and have a nice clean hole, don’t duplicate the bad decision by installing your wood post with cement. Dig a 10-inch hole and place the wooden post 1/3 of its length into the ground. [a traditional 8 ft wood post should be buried at least 2 1/2 feet]. Use the right supplies [a treated 4×4 fence post approved for direct burial] and fix the fence post with crushed gravel. Place 6 inches of crushed gravel in the bottom of the hole and pack the crushed stone down firmly every 2 to 3 inches as you fill the hole and align the fence post. Using this procedure, your fence should be upright and strong for many years.