How to Remove a Fence Post The Easy Way
- Step #1 – Dig around the post until six inches of the concrete footing is exposed. ...
- Step #2 – Wrap a chain around the concrete footing of the fence post. ...
- Step #3 – Connect the chain to the High-Lift Jack. ...
- Step #4 – Crank the lever on the high-lift jack to lift the concrete out of the ground. ...
Full Answer
How to remove old fence posts set in concrete?
May 04, 2014 · Here's a pretty simply method for removing a fence post seated in concrete...all without digging or messing with complicated equipment.
How to replace a fence post in concrete?
May 29, 2014 · Remove a fence post or concreted post fast and easy with half the time, work and dirt removal. LDS Prepper PREMIUM Micro-Nutrient Mix: https://youtu.be/GsTjs...
How to remove a rotten fence post from concrete?
Dig 12 inches down into the soil in a circle around the fence post. Rock the post back and forth to loosen it using your body weight or a sledgehammer. Eventually, you should be able to lift the post out of the ground. If the post doesn’t easily lift out, you may need to dig deeper.
How to strengthen fence posts without pouring concrete?
Feb 25, 2019 · Add to that any code requirements to accommodate the frost line, and you may have three feet of post and concrete below ground. The trick to removing a fence post is to apply force upward, so that you're not fighting the strength of the earth on either side of the buried post. This can be done with a jack or machinery, or with a lever and some elbow grease.
How do you remove fence posts from concrete?
5:537:41The Fastest and Easiest Way to Remove a Fence Post ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUse a digging bar if you have hard-packed or rocky. Soil. Then wrap the chain around the concrete.MoreUse a digging bar if you have hard-packed or rocky. Soil. Then wrap the chain around the concrete. And use the slip hook to latch the chain to itself pull the chain tight.
How do you remove old posts from concrete?
1:542:44How To Remove A Concrete Post Fast & Easy - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHere. Simply move the soil from in front of that post. Over into the hole where the other post was.MoreHere. Simply move the soil from in front of that post. Over into the hole where the other post was. Now I'm simply going to take my shovel. Come in behind to post and push it forward just like that.
How do you remove a fence post without removing concrete?
The best way to replace a fence post without removing the concrete footing is by prying it out. You can do this with a long lever and fulcrum or a car jack. In either case, nail some wood to the post first to pry against and then get to work. Pry until the post releases from the concrete and comes all the way out.
How do you remove a wooden post set from concrete?
You can dig around the post hole, and then use several long pry bars to lever the concrete footing out of the ground. If the wood left inside the footing is not completely rotten, then you can sometimes screw a large eyebolt into the wood and then pull it out with a rope or chain.
How do you break concrete with hand tools?
2:144:35How to Break Concrete Easily (using only 2 hand tools!) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWith your powerful hand or your dominant hand on the back where the actual hammer. Part is it comesMoreWith your powerful hand or your dominant hand on the back where the actual hammer. Part is it comes up over your shoulder. And your hands are sliding down so when you've finished. Both.
How do you break up thick concrete?
Jackhammer to break up concrete that's thick. If you're trying to remove concrete 3 inches deep or more, a jackhammer is your go-to tool. Rentable electric units will likely knock out that run-down sidewalk at the end of the driveway or small patio.
How do I remove an old 4x4 fence post?
0:444:47How to remove a fence post in under 5 minutes...without digging! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo this is the thing that gets gets the job done other videos have this I found that this isMoreSo this is the thing that gets gets the job done other videos have this I found that this is actually one of the best ways of course and this is just a hi-lift jack I bought this in at Harbor Freight
How do you remove a metal fence post from a concrete slab?
Use the Jack for Removing Steel Fence Posts Put the end of the chain on the jack tongue and crank the jack. Keep a close eye on the chain to ensure that it doesn't slip or move. Once you lift the pole and slab enough, you should have someone help you lift them out of the ground and carry them away.
How do you pull up fence posts?
The trick to removing a fence post is to apply force upward, so that you're not fighting the strength of the earth on either side of the buried post. This can be done with a jack or machinery, or with a lever and some elbow grease. One of the best post-pulling techniques comes from Family Handyman reader Mike Barnes.
How do you remove wood from a concrete slab?
0:001:53Remove the forms after pouring concrete slab - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow when we pull the form boards off you just give them a little a little whack just to loosen themMoreNow when we pull the form boards off you just give them a little a little whack just to loosen them up in case they're still tight against the concrete.
How deep should I dig for a fence post?
To prepare for this, dig out the soil around the post to a depth of 1 to 1½ feet (0.3 to 0.46 meters). A posthole digger will make this easier.
How to wrap a post?
Wrap a chain around the post. Wrap a 3 to 5 foot (0.9 to 1.5 m) length of chain several times around the post, as low to the ground as possible. ...
Can a wooden fence post be sunk into concrete?
A wooden post that is sunk into the surrounding soil will be relatively easy to remove, while one that is sunk into concrete will require additional equipment. Any wooden fence post that is severely deteriorated may also require additional tools to manage the extraction.
Strategies for Fence Post Removal
The most common way to get stubborn fence posts out of the ground is simply to dig the earth out from around the concrete base. It is possible to do this with nothing more than a standard shovel or spade and plenty of time.
Removing Broken Fence Posts
One of the biggest challenges to removing fence posts set in concrete is when the post itself breaks off close to ground level. The above methods can work for broken posts, but it’s not always easy to make them work.
Can a Contractor Remove Fence Posts Set in Concrete?
When it comes time to get a new fence, most people have old fence posts and panels they need to remove first. At Future Outdoors, we offer fence removal services alongside new fence installations.
Who is Stacy Randall?
Stacy Randall is a wife, mother, and freelance writer from NOLA that has always had a love for DIY projects, home organization, and making spaces beautiful. Together with her husband, she has been spending the last several years lovingly renovating her grandparent’s former home, making it their own and learning a lot about life along the way.
Can you reuse chain link fence?
If you have plenty of space and a buddy to help you, you can reuse the chainlink. Simply roll up the chain link along the length of the fence as you remove it. This process will allow you to keep the whole run of chain link fence intact so you can reuse it.
Can you use a car jack to pry against rebar?
You can use a car jack to pry against the rebar instead of a 4×4 and a cinder block. It all depends on what tools you have at your disposal.
Can you use a sledgehammer to break up concrete?
Using a sledgehammer requires some serious muscle but can be a useful tool. Using it to break up concrete isn’t ideal if the concrete is super thick. However, you can use it to knock the post back and forth to loosen it. Use this tool in conjunction with other methods, like the jackhammer.
Can you float concrete over a post?
To cover the remaining stub of a post, you can float concrete over it. This small concrete hill isn’t ideal in many cases. But it’s safer than having metal poking out of the ground. If you need the ground to stay smooth and flush, chip away the concrete around the post.
1. Assemble Materials
To get started, you'll need a way to get a bite on the post and something to apply pressure. Approaching it as Mike did, you can do this with a scrap board (preferably of 2x4 or 2x6 material) and good old fulcrum and lever: a length or two of 4x4, and a spud bar or long pry bar.
2. Get a Grip
If you're following along with Mike's method, attach the 2-by material to the side of the post, leaving about 2 inches of space between the nailer (pry board) and the ground. If you're only removing one post, then go ahead and attach the board to the post with whatever fastener is convenient.
3. Weaken or Wet
Take a moment to scrape away any topsoil at the base of the post. This will let you see the diameter of the concrete pier, as well as giving it a straight shot upward. If the earth around the post seems to be especially packed in, you can break it up with a shovel or wet it with a hose. How to Dig a Hole
4. Lift
This is the fun part! In Mike's method, set the 4x4 (s) on its side by the fence post. You'll be using it as the fulcrum of your lever, so you'll want to set it far enough to the side that it won't overlap the concrete post sleeve. Now just lay the pry bar across the 4x4, wedge its tip under the nailer board, and press down or step on the far end.
5. Fill
Now you'll either want to set a new fence post in the hole, or backfill it and top it off with some soil to help patch up the sod. Be sure to compact the fill to prevent settling divots later on.
1. Take Down the Fence
Removing a fence post unfortunately first requires that the fence itself be taken apart.
2. Remove the Main Post
How you remove the main post will depend on the reason that the post is being replaced.
3. Remove any Remaining Pieces and Clear the Foundation
No matter what method you used to remove your fence post, there will likely be pieces of debris still inside the concrete foundation. These pieces will need to be removed in order for the new post to sit securely.
4. Replace the Post
Be sure to use the same size post as the previous piece or it may not fit properly in the hole.
5. Fill the Hole
Now that the old post has been removed, the hole cleared and the new post set you can start filling in the gaps.
6. Re-Attach the Fence
Once the sand is poured or the concrete is completely set you can begin rebuilding your fence.
Removing Concrete and the Post
Although saving money on having to repour concrete sounds ideal, the time and effort that is needed to replace a post without removing the concrete may not be worthwhile.
Preparation
- Assess the status of the fence post. A wooden post that is sunk into the surrounding soil will be relatively easy to remove, while one that is sunk into concrete will require additional equipment. Any wooden fence post that is severely deteriorated may also require additional tools to manage the extraction.
- Dig a trench around the post using a shovel. The trench does not have to be any deeper than …
Example
Use
- There are a few ways to make this task a little easier. One of the best methods for digging out fence posts by hand is to only remove the dirt around one face of the fence post. By digging slightly deeper than the base of the concrete, you can then tip the post into the hole and lift it out.
Prevention
- A much easier, but more complicated, method for post removal is to use a jack to pull the post directly out of the ground. This method does require investment in more tools and materials, but it also can save lots of time and make a big job much easier.
Treatment
- Once you have the right jack, youll need to connect it to the fence post in a way that allows you to lift it out of the ground. There are several methods you can use here, such as: When the jack is securely connected or positioned under the post, simply operate the jack the same way you would to lift a car or other heavy object. The jack should loosen the concrete base of the post enough t…
Advantages
- If youre having trouble, it can help to soften the ground first by soaking it with water an hour or two before attempting to remove the posts. You can also position the base of the jack on top of another 2x4 in order to spread the load evenly over the ground.
Risks
- The easiest way to remove stubborn fence posts is to pull them out with machinery like a digger or loader. However, this is also the most expensive method, and its not possible for every homeowner.
Results
- The biggest advantage of using machinery to pull posts is speed and ease. A digger can easily lift most posts straight out of the ground, and if you do need to dig any out it saves the labor of removing dirt as well.