Our garden fences have to withstand a lot! From the rigours of the British weather, including storms and torrential rain, to footballs and even pets hurtling towards them, it’s little wonder that fence posts can become unsteady over time. Prevention is better than cure, they say, so stabilising a wooden fence post is far easier than replacing one, depending on the cause of the wobble!
Why is my fence post leaning?
Where older wooden fence posts may not have been installed securely or maintained regularly with a shed and fence wood treatment, they could simply have worn away and degenerated over time. Splitting and warping can occur where the base of the post has been exposed to moisture from soil and adverse weather conditions may have eroded the surrounding earth, loosening the post in its foundations. Always examine your fence post thoroughly as significant damage, such as the post rotting away, will require the post to be replaced completely, rather than just stabilised, following our step-by-step guide to erecting a fence. When replacing wooden fence posts, always choose pressure treated timber posts for their strength and durability, and their resistance to decay and insect infestation.
Reinforcing a timber fence post is straightforward with a choice of methods to choose from, including concrete repair spurs, fence post support spikes, and metal repair spurs.
What is a concrete repair spur?
A concrete repair spur, measuring 1.2m, is a concrete post featuring pre-drilled bolt holes. The spur can be inserted into a hole dug next to the post to be reinforced, and then attached to the timber post using bolts. The hole is then filled using concrete or postcrete; our article Postcrete Vs concrete explains the difference between the two. A concrete repair spur will reinforce a timber fence post, increasing its strength, and is resistant to any soil moisture in the soil.
Fence post support spikes
Featuring a square box to hold and secure wooden fence posts at one end and a long metal spike at the other, fence post support spikes are ideal for stabilising timber fence posts under normal soil conditions. Simply drive the spike into the ground, taking care to avoid underground pipes and cables, insert the fence post, and secure the retaining bolts.
What is a metal repair spur?
Similar in appearance but shorter than a support spike, a metal repair spur should be used to repair timber fence posts set in concrete, that have broken off at ground level, saving you having to dig out the remaining post from its concrete base. The repair spur is hammered into the timber that remains in the concrete and the post is then inserted into the top of the spur. The wooden post is secured by tightening the retaining bolts.
Whether your next project involves reinforcing existing wooden fence posts, or replacing an entire fence, we have the tools and supplies to help. For any help or advice, our experienced staff is happy to help via telephone on 01205 359188 or by email at sales@withamtimber.co.uk