How to Fix a Leaning Fence Post

Push the post firmly toward vertical. Watch what happens at ground level. If the post wobbles inside the concrete collar, the wood has rotted below grade. If the entire footing tips with the post, the concrete has lost its grip in the soil (common in areas with frost heave or sandy soil). If the post is solid and the footing is firm, the post may be broken or warped above ground. Your diagnosis determines which fix to use.

Push the post back to vertical using a helper or a come-along strap. Check plumb on two adjacent sides with a 4-foot level. Clamp temporary braces (2x4 lumber) from the post to stakes pounded into the ground at 45-degree angles, one on each side. These braces hold the post perfectly vertical while you make the permanent repair. Don't remove the braces until the concrete is fully cured (24 hours).

If the old concrete footing tilted but the post is still solid, dig out 6-8 inches of soil around the footing on the leaning side. Push the post plumb and brace it. Pour quick-setting concrete into the gap between the old footing and the soil, filling to about 2 inches below ground level. Slope the concrete away from the post so water drains away. Add water per the concrete bag instructions and let it set for 24 hours.

If the post has rotted at the ground line, a steel post repair bracket is the fastest fix. Dig away the soil and concrete around the rotted base. Cut the rotted portion of the post off at least 2 inches above the rot (into solid wood). Drive a steel post repair bracket (like EZ-Mender or Simpson E-Z Mender) into the ground next to the remaining concrete footing. Bolt the bracket to the post using the provided lag bolts. The steel bracket becomes the new below-grade support.

For posts that are rotted beyond the bracket method, disconnect the fence rails from the post (remove screws or nails). Dig out the post and concrete footing (a digging bar helps break up old concrete). Dig the hole 6 inches deeper than the old one and add 4 inches of gravel for drainage. Set a new treated 4x4 post in the hole, check plumb on two sides, brace it, and pour new concrete around it. Reattach the fence rails.

After the concrete has cured for 24 hours, remove the temporary braces. Check plumb one final time. Reattach any fence rails or panels that were disconnected during the repair using galvanized or stainless steel screws or nails. Backfill any remaining soil around the concrete footing and tamp it firm. The repair is complete.