When you have a fence that is leaning in your yard, fix it before the damage gets worse. In this tutorial we’ll show you how to make sure no one falls over the side and break their arm!

The “How to straighten a fence post without removing it” is a DIY project that will help you fix your leaning fence. Read more in detail here: how to straighten a fence post without removing it.

What Are the Materials Required to Repair a Leaning Fence?

The particular materials and equipment you’ll need to repair your leaning fence will be determined in part by the kind of fence you have and the severity of the damage.

The following are the tools you’ll need to mend a leaning fence in general:

When reinstalling the post, use a level to ensure that it is straight.
To replace outdated screws, use screws that are at least two inches long.
Additional 24 boards and stakes for reinforcing the post
For removing the base surrounding the post, use a shovel or a pry (wrecking) bar.
Concrete mix for filling the post hole’s base
To remove and replace screws, use a cordless drill.

If you’re repairing a sagging chain link fence, you may need to remove part of the broken mesh and replace it with new mesh. Tension wire, wire cutters, and a fence puller will be required.

If any of the boards or posts are significantly damaged, you may need to replace them entirely. Otherwise, just straighten the post to prevent the fence from sagging.

If your posts have a concrete foundation, you’ll want to have a few additional equipment on hand to help with the excavation:

Sledgehammer, 3 pound
chisel (cold)
Gloves and safety goggles

Re-Anchor the Posts to Fix a Leaning Fence

One or more fence posts are virtually always drooping instead of standing erect, resulting in a leaning fence. This might be due to excessively soft ground around the posts, wind damage, or decaying materials if the fence is made of wood. It also relies on the kind of wood fence you have in place.

Because the panels, boards, or portions between the posts are not weight-bearing, they normally do not induce tilting; instead, they droop wherever the posts sag.

Contents Table of Contents

Determine the source of the slanting.
Release the Post’s Pressure
Break Up the Footing and Excavate Around the Post Hole
Fence Posts Should Be Plumbed, Braced, and Leveled
Replenish the void
Make Use of a Temporary Fix

Determine the source of the slanting.

Because the fence sags the greatest, you can typically identify where the perpetrator of the fence leaning is. You must also determine what is causing that specific location to lean in addition to understanding where the weakest point is.

The following are common concerns to check for in a leaning fence post:

Rotting wood: If the wood in a fence gets rotted, the structure of the fence will be compromised. While this is more common with untreated wood, treated wood may rot over time as well. When wood rots, it becomes weak, splits, or warps.
Metal fence posts may get bent as a result of a destructive collision, causing the posts and fence to tilt.
Broken footing: The concrete or other mix that was used to hold the post into the ground may have cracked or become loose around the post, enabling the post to slide about in the hole instead of remaining stable.

Wood fences that have rotted should be replaced since they have lost their structural integrity. Metal posts that have been bent may be repairable, but you may need to replace them entirely.

Release the Post’s Pressure

After you’ve discovered which post (or posts) is causing the fence to lean, brace it or remove the remainder of the fence from it.

To isolate a chain link fence post, just remove the clips and post cap.

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To support up the fence panels on a wood fence, you’ll need a couple 24 boards:

To plumb up the panels, lean the brace boards against both sides of the fence.
To take the weight off the weak post, bury the braces in the earth.

You should be able to decide whether you need to replace the whole post or only correct the post hole at this stage based on the reason of the leaning post.

Break Up the Footing and Excavate Around the Post Hole

Break up the earth at the fence post’s base using a shovel. You don’t need to tear up the concrete at this stage; just dig around the post and footing until you’ve excavated approximately two feet deep.

You should aim for a width that is 2-3 times the diameter of the post. It’s often simpler to move some of the hard dirt out of the way using a pry bar, but a shovel can do if that’s all you have.

If you have a concrete base for the footing of your fence post, you will likely have to break up the concrete to realign the post. Wearing gloves and safety goggles, use a chisel (cold) and a Sledgehammer, 3 pound to break up the concrete.

Fence Posts Should Be Plumbed, Braced, and Leveled

Use a level to help you plumb the fence post so that it is absolutely upright after you’ve dug out enough of the footing. Check to check whether the fence post is still straight. If you’re completely replacing the post, ensure sure the new one fits correctly.

Before checking to see whether the post is still straight, brace it with a couple 24 boards immediately on the post. It’s possible that the braces may need to be adjusted.

Replenish the void

Fill the hole with a fast-setting concrete mix or a wet sand and gravel mix (if you have dry, rocky soil). Use your boot or, preferably, the end of a 24 to compact the mixture. Maintain the bracing on the fence post until the mixture has hardened fully.

The length of time it takes for the mix to set may vary depending on the mix, so follow the directions on the bag carefully. After everything has set, reattach the panels to the posts with new screws.

Make Use of a Temporary Fix

You may not be able to totally repair the leaning fence straight immediately in certain circumstances. There are a few more options to consider instead:

If a leaning post is shifting about inside concrete foundation, steel wedges or brackets may assist stabilize it.
If you need a quick remedy, post mending stakes or kits can typically be bought at home improvement shops or online. However, the majority of these stakes will only function in concrete.

Last Thoughts

Overall, repairing a leaning post is quite straightforward. The majority of the components can be acquired at hardware or home improvement shops, and you may already have some of the tools required. Check your fence posts on a regular basis to ensure that there are no weak points that might lead to drooping. This will help you avoid the problem getting out of hand.

Other topics on fencing include what sort of fence lasts the longest and what form of fence is ideal for a garden. So have a look at them and have fun constructing!

The “how to fix a leaning fence gate” is an article that will teach you how to fix your fence without having to hire someone.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes a wood fence to lean?

A: The cause of a wood fence leaning is primarily because the posts are not properly installed. There must be at least three feet of space between each post, and they should all be in line with one another to prevent sagging or leaning. If the posts were set up incorrectly, you can use stakes to hold them upright by driving them into the ground.

Can you straighten a fence?

A: Not really, because the word fence is not a verb.

How do you reenforce a fence?

A: This is a complicated question and I do not know the answer. If you would like me to try, please create an issue on my Github page so that others may help contribute their own knowledge as well.

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How to Fix a Leaning Fence

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