How to Remove Old or Broken Fence Posts from Concrete [2024]

Fences are an important part of any property, serving as both a decorative and functional element.
However, if one of your fence posts becomes rotten, it can be a real headache to remove it from the concrete base it’s planted in.
In this blog post, we’ll show you how to safely remove a rotten fence post from concrete without damaging either the post or the concrete. Let’s get started!

How do I Know if My Fence Post is Broken?

There are a few signs that your fence post may be broken:
The post is soft to the touch.
The post is discolored or has black streaks on it.
The post has cracks or splits in it.
Mushrooms are growing on the post.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s a good idea to remove the fence post and install a new one.

How to Remove Old or Broken Fence Posts from Concrete?

Method 1: Break up the Concrete around the Fence

Remove Old Wooden Post

For this method, the first thing you have to do is to remove the old wooden post. This can be done by using a crowbar or pry bar to loosen it from the concrete base. Once the post is removed, you can proceed to the next step.

Dig Out the Concrete

Use a sledgehammer or a heavy-duty drill fitted with a masonry bit to break up the concrete around the fence post.
Start by breaking up the concrete at the top of the post, then work your way down. Once you’ve broken up all the concrete around the fence post, use a shovel to dig it out.

Clean Up the Area

Use a wire brush to clean up the area where the fence post was removed. This will help prepare the area for the new post.

Method 2: Using a Fence Post Puller

If you’re having trouble breaking up the concrete around the fence post, you can try using a fence post puller. This is a specialized tool that can be rented from most hardware stores.

Procedure

To use a fence post puller, first remove the old wooden post as described in the previous section. Next, attach the post puller to the fence post using the bolts provided.
Once the post puller is attached, you can start to turn the handle to lift the fence post out of the concrete.

Clean Up the Area

Once you’ve removed the fence post, use a wire brush to clean up the area where it was removed. This will help prepare the area for the new fence post.

Method 3: Dig and Lever the Footing

If you’re having trouble breaking up the concrete around the fence post, you can try to dig and lever the footing.
This method is a bit more difficult than the previous two, but it can be effective if done correctly.

Procedure

To start, remove the old wooden post as described in the first section. Next, use a shovel to dig a trench around the concrete footing.
The trench should be about 6 inches deep.
Once you’ve dug the trench, use a pry bar or crowbar to lever the concrete footing out of the ground. After this process, you have to clean the area and prepare it for the new post.

Method 3: Eye-Bolt Removal

This is the most difficult method, but it can be effective if you don’t have the right tools.

Procedure

To start, remove the old wooden post as described in the first section. Next, use a drill to make a hole in the center of the concrete footing.
The hole should be big enough to fit an eye bolt. Once you’ve drilled the hole, insert an eye bolt into it and tighten it securely. After this process, you can easily clean the place.

How can Install a New Fence Post?

Now that you’ve removed the old, rotten fence post, it’s time to install a new one. We recommend using a metal fence post, as these are more resistant to rot and damage.

Procedure

To install the new post, first, dig a hole that’s slightly larger than the post itself. Next, place the pot in the hole and fill it with concrete.
Once the concrete has been set, you can attach the fencing panels to the new post.
That’s it! You’ve now learned how to safely remove a rotten fence post from concrete without damaging either the post or the concrete.

How to Fix a Broken Fence Post in Concrete?

Tools & Materials

To fix a broken fence post in concrete, you will need the following tools and materials:
* **A replacement fence post:** This should be the same size and material as the original post.
* **A sledgehammer and cold chisel:** These will be used to break up the concrete around the base of the broken post.
* **A digging bar or pry bar:** This will be used to lift the broken post out of the ground.
* **A hydraulic post puller (optional):** This can be used to lift the broken post out of the ground if it is particularly difficult to remove.
* **Concrete mix:** This will be used to repair any damage to the concrete around the fence post.
* **Water:** This will be used to mix the concrete.
* **A shovel:** This will be used to mix the concrete and fill in any holes around the fence post.

Procedure

To fix a broken fence post in concrete, follow these steps:
* Break up the concrete around the base of the broken post using a sledgehammer and cold chisel.
* Use a digging bar or pry bar to lift the broken post out of the ground.
* If the post is particularly difficult to remove, you may need to use a hydraulic post puller to lift it out of the ground.
* Once the broken post has been removed, use a shovel to mix the concrete mix and water according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
* Fill any holes around the fence post with the mixed concrete.
* Insert the replacement fence post into the hole, making sure it is level and straight.
* Allow the concrete to cure according to the manufacturer’s instructions before attaching the fence panels or wire.
It is important to follow these steps carefully to ensure that the replacement fence post is securely anchored in the ground.
If you are unsure about any aspect of the repair process, it is a good idea to consult a professional or refer to the manufacturer’s instructions.

How do I Prevent my Fence Posts from Breakage?

There are a few things you can do to prevent your fence posts from breakage:
Use pressure-treated wood for your fence posts. Pressure-treated wood is treated with a preservative that helps to prevent rot.
Seal the ends of your fence posts with paint or varnish. This will help to prevent water from seeping into the wood and causing it to rot.
Install your fence posts on concrete footings. This will help to keep the posts from rotting by preventing moisture from seeping into the ground around the posts.

Why it’s Good to Remove Broken Fences?

There are a few good reasons to remove a broken fence:
A rotten fence can be a safety hazard. If the fence is in danger of collapsing, it could hurt someone.
A rotten fence can be an eyesore. If the fence is in bad condition, it can make your property look unkempt.
A rotten fence can attract pests. If the fence is in bad condition, it can provide a place for rodents and other pests to nest.
A rotten fence can damage your property. If the fence falls over, it could damage your home or other structures on your property.
These removed old fence posts also helpful in many cases and it’s best not to throw them in the garbage.

Conclusion

If you have a fence that is in bad condition, it is important to remove it. There are a few different ways to remove a fence, and the best method will depend on the type of fence and the condition it is in.
If you’re not sure how to remove the fence, you can always consult with a professional.
These are four methods also helpful in removing your rotten fence and you can easily build a new strong fence again with the proper guide.
After removing this broken post, you can easily build a new long-lasting fence post without concrete.
We hope that this blog post has been helpful and that you’ll be able to remove your fence post without any problems. Thank you for reading!

FAQs

Question

How do you remove the wooden post from concrete?

Answer

The first method is to use a hammer or a heavy-duty drill fitted with a masonry bit to break up the concrete around the fence post. Start by breaking up the concrete at the top of the post, then work your way down. Once you’ve broken up all the concrete around the fence post, use a shovel to dig it out. Instead of this method, you can also use other ways also.

Question

How do you remove a metal fence post from a concrete slab?

Answer

You can use Jack for removing the metal fence post from the concrete slab. Place the jack under the fence post and slowly lift it until the post is free from the concrete. Once the post is free, you can remove it from the hole.

Question

How do you remove a fence post without removing concrete?

Answer

If you don’t want to remove the concrete, you can use a fence post puller. This is a specialized tool that can be rented from most hardware stores. To use a fence post puller, first remove the old wooden post as described above. Next, attach the post puller to the fence post using the bolts provided. Once the post puller is attached, you can start to turn the handle to lift the fence post out of the concrete.

Question

Can I reuse the old concrete?

Answer

Yes, you can reuse the old concrete. However, we recommend that you clean the area first to remove any dirt or debris. Once the area is clean, you can pour the old concrete back into the hole and use it to set the new fence post.

Question

What is the easiest way to remove fence posts from concrete?

Answer

The easiest way to remove fence posts from concrete is to use a hydraulic post puller or a digging bar. These tools allow you to leverage the weight of the tool to lift the fence post out of the ground. Alternatively, you can use a sledgehammer and a cold chisel to break up the concrete around the fence post and then pry the post out of the ground using a digging bar or a pry bar.

Question

How do I remove a post that has been cemented?

Answer

To remove a post that has been cemented into the ground, you will need to break up the concrete around the base of the post. This can be done using a sledgehammer and a cold chisel or a power drill with a masonry bit. Once you have broken up the concrete, you can use a digging bar or a pry bar to lift the post out of the ground. It is important to wear protective gear and to use caution when using these tools to avoid injury.

Question

How do professionals remove fence posts?

Answer

Professionals typically use specialized tools and equipment to remove fence posts. This may include hydraulic post pullers, which use leverage to lift the post out of the ground, or digging bars, which can be used to pry the post out of the ground once the concrete has been broken up.