A leaning fence in your yard or garden area is such an eyesore. There are a lot of reasons why your fences are leaning away from their alignment. It can be rotting because it’s been there for a while. Otherwise, you didn’t build it properly and have a less strong foundation.

Whatever the reason might be, it’s important always to put a stop to the problem and solve it right away. We will show you a step by step guide to help you solve this problem.

Fixing your leaning fence

You can ask any of your family members or a buddy to help you perform the task. The more hands at work, the faster you can finish the job.

You will need to gather the following tools below:

  • Some quick clamps
  • A tape measure
  • A wrecking bar
  • A circular saw
  • A driller
  • Some screws
  • New wooden fence
  • A sakrete
  • Some treated pickets

Step 1: Always protect yourself and wear PPE (personal protective equipment), especially when you’re handling sharp tools and other risky tasks.

Step 2: Approach your leaning fence and assess the weight of the damage. If you can think that you can still use the fence and try to make it stand again, then do so.

Step 3: You will need to fix the leaning fence by pushing the fence downwards with a 2×4 braces. Make sure that the tip of the 2×4 is buried to the ground and 5 inches away from the next fence.

Step 4: Push the fence and exert some good force to create more pressure on the 2×4 braces. This will position the fence better with a good foundation. Just check the pickets if there are any issues with it.

Step 5: Check for any rails that were not attached properly. When the fences start leaning down, its rails are most likely to get loose. Even if the fences are still standing strong, it might not be the case.

Step 6: You will need to attach the rails again from its original position using the quick clamps. Make sure you’ve attached the quick clamps properly.

Step 7: Tighten the quick clamps with your screws on hand to make sure that it won’t go off again and starts leaning as soon as it starts to get loose.

Step 8: You will need to check any crooked nails and take them all out as soon as possible. Dispose of these nails properly away from anyone’s reach.

Step 9: Check for more fences that are unsecured or already shaking. Mark all of the defective posts and start working on each of them.

Step 10: Double-check if the holes where your fence was installed is deep enough to hold it. If not, your fence will still lean and shake again because it’s not secured enough to erect the fence.

Step 11: If you find out that the holes are not too deep enough, you’ll need to start digging for some new ones. Bring your shovel and start digging at least 3 meters deep if you have a 9-inch long fence. This should hold the fence better.

Step 12: Place the old fence back to the ground and make sure that it’s attached securely. Test if it still shakes after installing, if it does, then tighten it up all the way down.

Step 13: If the old fence is rotten, you need to replace it with a new one. Just take your tape measure and new wooden fence. Measure the old one and cut the new fence according to the measurements you took.

Step 14: Cut the new fence with a circular blade. Before cutting, always double-check if all the measurements were right. Then install the new set of fences in the area that needs replacing.

Step 15: To ensure that the newly installed fences will be strong in the coming years, you can pour a mixed cement to harden the foundation. This can be optional and will depend on your reference, but it won’t hurt to try.

Step 16: Then, the last thing you need to do to complete the task is to put back the pickets. Put them back tightly using the screws. Make sure that it’s not loose, and you were able to tighten them all up.

Key takeaway

Yard work can be a bit challenging and time-consuming, but if you don’t put action to the issues that it has, a bigger problem can occur. Always remember that although it’s good to fix your leaning fence by yourself, it’s also okay to seek help from experts if you don’t have any experience with basic construction or handling with tools. What’s important is that your fence will no longer lean again.

Can you repair a leaning fence?

You can dig up and replace the fence post, aligning it with the other posts, and pour a new concrete footing (see next section on Severely damaged fence posts.) Place another, shorter post up against the rotting post and either tie or bolt the two together.

How much does it cost to fix a leaning fence?

Leaning fence repair cost ranges from $134 to $400. Simple repairs that require little more than repositioning and resetting the posts cost less than completely replacing them. Fallen fence sections leave gaps in the fence and potentially damage the support posts, which raises the repair costs.

How do you fix a leaning wood fence?

How do you straighten a fence post without removing it?

Use a shovel or spade to remove soil next to the post’s side away from the direction the post is leaning. With the soil removed from around the post, try to push the post back into an upright position. In some cases, the post may shift out of alignment with the other posts in the fence line.

What causes a fence to lean?

High Winds

Even if your ground is relatively hard or dry, a strong enough wind can cause the fence to lean. The force absorbed by the fence all falls on the post, causing it to break, bend, or tip over. You can avoid a broken post by using stronger materials.

Why do wooden fences lean?

Leaning Due to Pilot Holes That Are Too Shallow

When installing fence posts, the depth of your pilot holes needs to be calculated correctly. If too shallow, the fence will begin to lean. If too deep, you will have trouble with height adjustments. The depth also depends on how tall you want the end result to be.

How do you protect a fence from the wind?

To prevent your fence from being destroyed, take some steps ahead of time when you hear a large windstorm is expected.
  1. Trim Trees Near the Fenceline.
  2. Remove Large Yard Objects.
  3. Check on Loose Posts.
  4. Reinforce Fences.
  5. Lock the Gate.
  6. Fence Repair and Insurance Claims.

When should I replace my fence?

With proper maintenance, your fence should be expected to last anywhere between 20 to 50 years, depending on the material. If your fence is older than you are, it’s probably time for a new one! Damage isn’t the only reason to replace your fence.

What does a rotten fence look like?

Inspect it carefully from ground level – where rot usually begins – on up. Besides obvious breaks or holes in the wood, initial signs of stress include discoloration (yellow or gray areas), splintering, warping, and leaning.

What is the average life of a wood fence?

The Average Lifespan of Wooden Fences

On average, a wooden fence will last at least 15 years with proper care. Some fences last significantly longer than that, while others fall apart in under a decade.

Is it easy to replace a fence?

Aluminum fences are often considered the easiest to install—you simply have to assemble the sections of rails rather than, say, chopping your own wood and then nailing it together. However, a wood fence kit can give you that natural look while making the process painless.

Should I repair or replace my wood fence?

As a property owner, it’s best to plan to replace your wooden fence every 10 years or so. Whether you require maintenance service or repairs, you can count on All Counties Fence and Supply for professional services and affordable rates.

What’s the cheapest fence to install?

Can you remove part of a fence?

Hit a horizontal rail with a rubber mallet to drive the panel in tighter against the fence post, to expose the head of the two or three nails holding it in place without damaging the wood. Pull out the nails with a pry bar or claw hammer.

How do you remove part of a fence?

You can just wiggle the posts until they come loose and then remove them from the ground. Removing a fence involves heavy lifting, heavy tools, and possibly some sweat and tears. If you don’t feel confident enough to remove your own fence, you can always hire someone else to do it.

How do you reinforce a fence panel?

Fence panels can be cut with an electric saw in sections, or you can use a claw hammer, nails, and some muscle to pull off individual boards.