Thread: Help straightening one fence post slightly out of alignment

It would work, but would cause a weak point. You could after doing the screwing, also screw in some additional side support timbers spanning over the weak point.

I wouldn't do that, you will create a spot for water to sit and it will allow rot to set in. My suggestion would be to try winching it straight with a cargo hold-down and/or rope anchored to something eg tree or car etc. Had success with this last year when a rail with a nasty bend forced a post out of plumb in wet soil. So it might also help to soak the area around the post for a couple of days with a hose dribbling water. Use a bar to compress the soil around the concrete again.

Cheers
Michael

Originally Posted by mic-d

I wouldn't do that, you will create a spot for water to sit and it will allow rot to set in. My suggestion would be to try winching it straight with a cargo hold-down and/or rope anchored to something eg tree or car etc. Had success with this last year when a rail with a nasty bend forced a post out of plumb in wet soil. So it might also help to soak the area around the post for a couple of days with a hose dribbling water. Use a bar to compress the soil around the concrete again.

Cheers
Michael

A far superior idea. I used a similar technique a few years ago to fell a tree that was leaning in the wrong direction. A chain and two come-alongs enabled pulling it into better alignment. It took about two months. With two come-alongs, leap-frog along the chain as each reaches its limit, and re-purchase with the other. You won't need that much travel, of course.

If you still wish to cut and reinforce, make the cut well above ground level and at an angle to allow drainage from the cut. Apply wood preservative too. And use stainless steel fasteners.

Cheers,
Joe

Originally Posted by mic-d

I wouldn't do that, you will create a spot for water to sit and it will allow rot to set in. My suggestion would be to try winching it straight with a cargo hold-down and/or rope anchored to something eg tree or car etc. Had success with this last year when a rail with a nasty bend forced a post out of plumb in wet soil. So it might also help to soak the area around the post for a couple of days with a hose dribbling water. Use a bar to compress the soil around the concrete again.

Cheers
Michael

I wouldn't cut it either. I'd do as Mick suggests and winch it straight. If you don't have anything to anchor to you can make a ground anchor from a few star pickets. Place them in a line, driven well into the ground. Tie the top of the front one to the base of the second one, tie the top of the second one to the base of the third. you can place several tons of pressure onto the front one without any worries. (assuming you don't live in a swamp )
Once you have the post straightened up ram the earth around it to keep it there.

I Wouldn't be cutting it i'd dig abit of earth from the side its leaning away from and baring the side it leans to and then ram the earth on the otherside back in and it shall be straight and strong

Has the post lent over from the base of the concrete footing up , or has the timber itself bowed ?
Either way , in the end , as time goes by, it may not be the only one to step out of line , so what ever you do now will have to be repeated , if you want a perfectly straight fence .
Driving it it over and temporarily bracing it is a far better option than the cut and wedge method , and can be done at anytime , if needed , over the years .

Thanks for the replies. I think we’ll see how the whole fence line settles down through the winter and go with the dig footing/winch and re-tamp soil method as required. It’s not noticeable enough to cause any urgency at this stage.

Much appreciated.