How to repair a fence post [Cheap fence fix!!!] Handyman fix (AMAZON LINK)
In this video, I show you how to repair a broken fence post on a budget. I use a "C channel" made by simpson strong tie called E-Z Mend. This is a black powder coated mender plate for a 4x4 post. Your post can be set in concrete and this E-Z mender will repair that broken post like you wouldn't believe! This quick and easy repair will add years of life to your broken fence! I demonstrate with a before and after video so you can compare the two! This is a great fix for a handyman!
My Name is Matt, and I am a full time carpenter from canada eh! My goal with this channel is to share, money saving tips & tricks for everyday homeowners. Owning a home can be costly (especially if you buy an older one... lots of character they said!). I upload content weekly to save you money! Your welcome :) -please subscribe-
Please leave your comments & feed back below & don't forget to smash the thumbs up for the KZhead algorithm. Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE!!! :) THANKS!!
SUBSCRIBE! :)* / @diyfortheaverageguy
Disclaimer:
Videos produced by DIY for the average guy are provided for informational & entertainment purposes only. Everything within this video & website is for informational, educational, & entertainment purposes only. DIY for the average guy will not be responsible for any injuries or does not make any claims of the safety of the projects, techniques, or resources listed on this site and will not take responsibility of what you do with the information provided by this site. Viewers must be aware by doing projects on their homes they are doing it at their own risk and DIY for the average guy cannot be held liable if they cause any damage to their homes or property. With different rules and regulations around the world and constantly changing standards, building codes, it is the sole responsibility of the viewer to educate themselves on their local requirements before undertaking any sort of project. DIY for the average guy cannot claim liability with all applicable laws, rules, codes and regulations for a project.
------------------------------
Trippy Love by Vexento / vexento
/ vexento
Free Download / Stream: bit.ly/trippy-love
Music promoted by Audio Library • Trippy Love - Vexento ...
------------------------------
I do make a small commission on associate link sales! Thanks in advance!! :)
-AMAZON LINK - (USA)
amzn.to/3bAdKwg
AMAZON LINK (CANADA)
amzn.to/2O07SEz
Safety sandals=priceless lol
Thank you for the great vid. I tried a similar bracket and it definitely solved the problem for now. I had to get a different one that had a 4+ inch spacer to dodge the concrete all together. But then I realized this one would have worked as well. Anyway, thanks again.
Thank God for this Man and thank God for KZhead !
Love your safety sandals Matt 🤣
Doesn't work if your posts are set in concrete, which is the case for every fence I've ever seen.
Right
Worked great for me.
Thank you! Mom and I will be 2 old ladies fixing the fence. Thanks to you. ❣️
Good luck!!! :)
What do u call the metal and where to buy it
That’s exactly what I am looking for. Thanks
Unscrew panel each side post usually rotton so drill hole in concrete put bolt in . Then use concret building blocks and wood and car trolley jack and chain to lift it out ( saves using Jack hammer) . Now you have hole put post in and re-concrete fix panels and prop to vertical leave to set . Perminant job
Great idea didn’t know there was such an item to fix fences
Never seen them before, good demonstration video thanks
I was skeptical but i didn't have many other cheap opinions. So i tried it today. It worked, and its solid. Thanks 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿
Glad you liked them! They are a great fix!!! :)
exactly what I need, thanks DIY guy!
I just experienced the EZ mender.. You had no Concrete around post. I just did 2 posts w Concrete around. Tool 6 hrs & 2 trips to the store. Simpson recommends installing in pairs. I used a 1/2 bolt to tie each EZ mender together.. You had the easy install I had the very very hard install..Keep up the good work!
I have concrete around my post as well, can this go through concrete by just hammering it in?
@@ttof80biz hammer It in with a 4 to 6lbs hammer. Mini sledge hammer. If you are lucky you can break tge concrete!! I used a very large clamp to keep it close to the fence.. Good Luck. Comment back on your progress..carry on & keep up the good work.
Thanks! Sorry to hear you had a tough time miles, still worth a shot though! Did it work out? I guess you got a “work out” too? Haha
Love your work boots
Worked like a champ for me today! Thanks for the great video. Lowe's had the bracket for $17.xx Cheapest out there. In stock all over the city. Took 25 minutes., There was definitely a spot where I ran into a lot of resistance, but kept sledging along and the bracket got through it. $20 fix for a potential issue down the road. Thanks again.
Wouldn’t you run into the concrete at the bottom of the post?
Thank you very much. This helps me a lot.
If you can, place the bracket in between the panel and the post. The fence won't rock after the fix
Awesome. Even a great granny can fix her old fence posts. TYIA
I laughed so hard when he pushes the post after he installed the metal plate and the post is still shaking dramatically.... I was expecting it stand still after install it so I never thought it would still shake... hahaha
It's because he only installed it on one side. It's suppose to be both sides for stability.
@@mightymochi6320 Not really. It's because they are supposed to be installed on the side of the post to hold it, not to be installed in the front or in the back. He didn't install it correctly.
Nah dude “dramatically” isn’t what i would say he did.
@@mightymochi6320 Not only that but when he was driving it in to the ground to the point where it reached the existing concrete from the original post it skimmed off the concrete to the dirt hence forth no stability.Your right cheap way out.I found fence post spikes work better they go 3 to 4 feet into the ground
Tks for info
How about install another brace in the same spot at the other side of the fence? Two are better then one?
Always is best if doing it to the other side of the fence post, reason why, the damaging wind does not blow side ways but back and forth,
Thanks so much! The funny part safety sandals . 😆 but great idea!
Safety first!!! ;) Good luck with the project! Please subscribe!
Good idea. keep those good DIY ideas coming
Thanks for watching! I am working on it! More content coming! :)
I just took a 2x4 ,about 2 ft' long made a point and sledged it into the ground where it was leaning . Worked great .
Also a great temporary fix but this unit has been installed for over a year & is still holding strong! Thanks for watching
@@DIYfortheaverageguy mine too .Three years
Same here, going on 3 years now and it HASN’T MOVED an inch
Good job !
Very nice. Many thanks!
Wow! So clever. I don’t have a broken fence, but this was still a very cool video to watch:)
Lucky you.... haha
With the price of lumber right now, this is a lifesaver
No kidding!! Hopefully the prices drop soon... thanks for the view!
Yep, I'm doin it
You should install it running with the direction of the fence not facing it. It will still be weaker the way you did this. You should also do it in pairs for complete repair. It wouldn’t sway at all if completed properly. It shows on the actual piece you held up to place them perpendicular with the fence.
How do you attach the bottom fence rail through the side of the ez-mender?
@@ersp1 there are pre drilled holes
I admire your skills with the sledge hammer!
Thank you very much, years of practice hence the confidence with the safety sandals. :)
"I got my safety sandals on." Hahahahahaha Fantastic. Subscribing.
Good explanation. Simple but practical. By the way, how old is your fence? At what age the fence posts will get wobbling problem?
Wow! $15 seems like a decent deal, but fast forward three years and they are now (at least the current seller via your link) charging $50 which seems very high for a quick fix patch. Thanks for sharing.
Yes, I'm out! I'll put in a new post.
They are $17.48 right now at my Lowe’s.
You should install E-Z mend on sides of post not face of post as video shows. Your installation on the face eliminates much of the strength of E-Z mend to resist bending due to wind forces.
On the other hand, his installation doesn't require disassembling two fence panels and then figuring out how to anchor the bottom rail through the bracket.
@@ersp1 If he doesn't do it perpendicular, the vibration/ rocking from the wind will just cause him to inevitably disassemble it anyways in the near future. Do it right the first time, and you won't need to do it again. Being lazy only creates more work.
Good enough! I did same way, it's quick and still lasting > 12 yrs now .
I noticed that the photos on the Home Depot page where they sellnthese shows them being installed the same way as in this video. For my part, I'll take me chances and do it the same way also when the time comes. If I'm going tongontonthe trouble of disassembling my fence to put these in, I may as well justnoutbijna new post while I'm at it; the point fornme os to save time and trouble in the short term - if I can cheat another few years out of my fence before I eventually rebuild it, so much the better.
Oscillating multi tool instead of saw for the win
Most comprehensive video on this product! Quick question: how tall is the fence? Looks taller than the usual 6ft privacy fences.
It’s a 7’ fence! Thanks for watching!
Nice. Lag screws? (Lag bolts are usually threaded)
That's a new product for me. I'll keep them in mind. Otherwise without them I would look to heavy duty metal fence posts or Unistrut.
I used these on a post that was in concrete. In that case I put it on the side of the post because I am not worried about left right motion. It was a lot harder to pound in between the post and the cement than in you case, but it is very solid now. The mender was $10 at Home Depot.
Thanks for the comment! Glad it worked for you!
@@DIYfortheaverageguy Also, I am pounding rebar along side the cement and adding cement to above grade. Hope it lasts at least 10 years.
Definetly won’t hurt it! :) good luck with the project!!
@@DIYfortheaverageguy hey bro were can I pick up one of those ? Thanks in advance!
Spot on. This video did it correctly kzhead.info/sun/mtWiqciAi4yaeqM/bejne.html
Hey! I know this was 3 years ago but is there something CHEAP I can put in the ground before I put the pole in the ground so it won’t rot? I’m older and I am just going to buy those round wood poles to make a fence for cosmetic purposes only. It will have a post then 2 horizontal fence panels (round wood poles) kind of like a western fence.
What size lag bolt was that?
This is why I have always set fence posts without concrete, and provided plenty of pea gravel and sand under and around them for drainage (but tamped in hard for strength). Concrete is stronger, and should be used for gate posts, where tiny differences can cause a latch to not catch (but even then, with gravel not concrete in the bottom, and the concrete troweled to slope away from the post). For all the other posts, the concrete can easily end up making a cup of water around the post, rotting it off at ground level in just a few seasons.
Strongly agree, and it's amazing the sloping top is not standard practice. Usually it 's a catch basin instead.
The fence mender can cost over 20 bucks so if your on a budget you can get some of the metal utility fence post the ones with holes in them drive a couple of them in on vanious sides of the post and then attach to the post with deck screws. Using 2 or three of those cheap metal utility post is still cheaper than the post mender.
Ty. Can you show a pic?
Thank you!!!!
You're welcome!
Good idea but it still Looks a bit wobbly Love the safety sandals
You could add a second one to further strengthen it! It’s a drastic improvement from before! The post was literally split in two before the installation of the reinforcement. Please subscribe! :)
How do u call the metal and where to buy it please
Thanks for the video motivated me to do the same thing 😂😂
Good for you! Good luck! :)
I bought those, when the channel hits the cement it stops and will not drop further. does not hold the post. You seem not to have a cement base for posts as usual in construction. Home Depot post doctor might work with its tapered spikes.
Your safety sandals got you A thumbs up. Plus it’s a grumpy Subscriber😏
Hahahahaha more content coming! Thanks for the subscribe! 👍
It would have been toes up if he had dropped that hammer on them. Good video though.
Woops. You placed the EZ Mend incorrectly. It should go on the side of the posts. It’s designed to have the strength with the edge bend so it doesn’t wiggle. You should use two. The downside to these is that in most cases you hit the concrete around the loose post.
It worked like a charm!!! :)
@@DIYfortheaverageguy yeah, except that it didn't. What we in the UK call a bodge job !!
How many pound you using the hammer?
They are supposed to be on the sides not the face, and two for each post. So you'd have to remove or cut away the rails to get it in. The plates don't have a lot of strength face on.
"I've got my safety sandals on...." Hahahahaha!!
Is there concrete in the hole?..
It might last for a bit ,but;,Fence post spikes for @ 20$ might have been better it worked for me a bit more $ but much sturdier. Nice sandals by the way 😃
Thanks! :)
This one has been in place for 3 years! Still solid
How well will this work with a broken post rather than a weak one? Got a storm came through n now my fence is leaning pretty good cracked 2 posts.
This is what they are designed for! Try one out and let me know how it goes! Cheaper then replacing the fence!!
What if the post has concrete at the bottom. This cant be knocked down
Surely there’s concrete around the post?
But those 4by4s are installed in the cement How the metal boot goes through the cement? Thank you
The point wedges in between the old wood and the concrete ball.
the "new" pressure-treated wood is *Garbage*. ground contact rated fence posts now rot within a few years, and they rot at ground level where moisture and oxygen are plentiful. the rest of the post underground is usually intact.
According to Simpson: "The E-Z Base and E-Z Spike products should not be used for solid fences in excess of 4' in height or that are unprotected from wind force" and "Sold individually; use in pairs"
planning on doing this next weekend.. what size sledge is that?
A big one! Lol I don’t recall to be honest… 3lb should do it! Good luck!
Should have put in on the right or left side. Would be much more secure. I did it wrong the first time and it really didn't help, then I did it on the side and it was like brand new.
It would be more sturdy if it was placed on the side of the post
No but they should’ve put one on each side. (Just two)
Thx for sharing the video, 👍 where can I buy that from?
Got it thx for the links 👍
I have a link in the description that will take you to an amazon link (I make a small comission). But you can likely find them at your local homedepot or Lowes! Good luck with the project & thanks for watching! Make sure to watch my 1 year update video that I uploaded yesterday!
Pardon my interruption! Utube search brought me here. 😮😢😮 I just need to reattch the horizontal wood stringer (?). Back to the wood post ? (Post decent, Fence panel decent, & Stringer looks serviceable). Can any give me a link, to a cheap and easy repair ? (Fence Repair Newbie, here) Last time, I helped my dad put up a pickett fence. My brother's and I were teens. (Fird or Carter was prez) My dad was weekend tired, and u kno how that goes. U just wanna finish, so the yelling would stop ! (We were too afraid, to good around) In grade school, there were no shop classes beyond carving, metal work (manipulation of tin) & science fair electrical. Can any peivide a lil guidance, aka website or link direction. That would be greatly, appreciated ! Thx !
So what happens when the bracket is driven part ways in and it is stopped by the cement around the post?
My thoughts as well.
The post that I used in the demonstration had concrete a few inches under the grass! Please give me an update offer you try them!! :)
The size of the hole created by the diggers or auger is usually not much bigger than the posts, causing thin corners in the concrete plug that are easily fractured and spread when driving the metal piece in. If it stops driving in, usually the answer is a bigger hammer (unless the post is sitting on a large rock in the bottom of the hole). I will quibble with the face of the post he chose to reinforce. He put the strongest orientation of the repair piece, its width, in the same plane as the fence panels, which are unlikely to rack side to side. Driving it in on the side of the post is better, as it puts its strongest orientation in the direction of the broken fence's movement. The demo as shown does provide some strength, but on the sides provides maximum strength. It's a bit more trouble to use the sides, as one usually needs to at least partially detach the fence panels, but it's worth it for a stronger repair.
do you Need 'One' on the 'other side' as well? ( to Make it even 'STRONGER'..).... i measured my Post it's Only 3.5 X 3.5 inches ..not 4 x 4.....do they have different 'sizes'??..
You can absolutely install two of them, to be honest, the one was enough! 4x4 posts measure 3.5” x 3.5”. These will fit your fence posts! Good luck with the project & let me know what you think if you decide to go ahead! :)
@@DIYfortheaverageguy .Cheers!!! If i do go Thos 'route'..i Will Try just 1...on each post..& See how 'Strong' it is..... Thanks for your 'INPUT'!
I got stopped by concrete. Should I have wedged the stake to the post first, then hammered down on the lip? Seems like the concrete is always going to stop you. Any help appreciated.
Hey Jerry, that thing should wedge itself between the concrete and the wood post! In this case, you might actually need a bigger hammer! :)
I thought so. I used a hand held sledge and whacked it hard may times. I even destroyed one hitting the top after the lip lethod failed. Something isnt working.
I wonder if your post was set on a boulder... that would cause issues. This might also be why you are having issues with it... sounds like this quick fix might not work for you...
He makes me nervous wearing those sandals...😉
That's why it's a rubbish product.
what size of bolt that fits in the e-z mend?
I’m sorry! I don’t recall off hand! A big one! :) it was Definetly 3” long & roughly 3/8” diameter! Good luck with the project!
Would this fix work with cemented post?
Yes. They are intended for that purpose.
This is great, but only works when post was not set by concrete, right?
This one was in concrete! I just make it look easy! Haha
@@DIYfortheaverageguy No it wasn't
How that plate can be hammered into the concrete so easy?
I make it look easy ;) hahaha
Really cool! One issue... Wont the metal plate hit the concrete footing when you drive it into the earth? Maybe I missed something?
I think you missed that apparently there is no concrete in the hole. Hammering that much metal in would never have been that easy were it going between post and concrete
WHAT ABOUT IF THAT POST HAD TO MUCH CONCRETE THAT TOOL IS GOIBG TO BE ABLE TO CRACK THE CONCRETE OR NOT
We talking about crack on top portion not under ground i just mad new fence after 3 weeks star crack on middle of post not below part
A vertical crack is normal once the wood dries! This post was broken in two pieces! Thanks for watching!
This vid is 2 yrs. old and I guarantee it's leaning heavily again. These things are not recommended on a 6ft+ fence, especially a tight dog ear where the wind is always hitting it. But they work pretty well on 36-42" tall picket fences, preferably lightweight vinyl.
Can I borrow your sledgehammer?
Correct me if I'm wrong. I clicked the Amazon link and their price is $37/ pair but I can find these at Lowes for $20/pair. Am I missing something?
I also found them yesterday at Lowe's for $20/pair.
$9 at home depot
They are available at your local hardware store! Thanks for watching & good luck with the project! make sure to watch the 1 year update I uploaded yesterday!
Saw these then found "Post Buddy" prefer the Post Buddy system, simpler and quicker to install. I have the same safety sandals😂😂😂
What happen if you hit concrete when driving in the bracket-problem.
Get a bigger hammer!!! :)
You don't say if that brace can be pounded into a concrete footing around the wooden post
Yes they can! Mine went in concrete. :)
@@DIYfortheaverageguy ....very surprised to hear that. Mine hit concrete after penetrating maybe 5" into the dirt. Had to call it good.
What size lag bolts ?
3/8"x 3.5" :)
What do you do if you have concrete at the base?
Hammer it harder
Do the job properly, which means concrete, not this useless thing.
That is possible...
Did you ever figure out what your problem was?
Thank you for this! What all will I need to buy besides the ez menders?
That’s right! + the lag bolt & a few galvanized nails
Good luck with the project!! :)
The fence post is shaky, does it work
It worked great!! It’s been over a year since the installation & it’s still as strong as ever!! Update video to come!!!
Did u not check fence was straight before fixing??
No, I wasn’t worried about it being plumb, more about it staying standing!!! :)
3:33 is where the action begins!
Great video , just subbed to you 💪💪
Thanks for subscribing!
You can add another one on the other side.
I did end up adding a second one although i don't think it was necessary! The steel on this U channel is nearly 1/4" thick!!!
You do not mention the existing concrete on the old post. I suspect it would NOT work with out breaking up the old concrete.
This was in concrete. It worked for me!!
I got safety slippers. Samoan style diy 🇼🇸 lol
Lol we would make a great team. Hahaha
Ours has concrete footing do this doesn't do much to support it
This one did as well! Have you put it in yet?
@@DIYfortheaverageguy Doesnt wrap around the 4x4 post so its probably out as a solution. its only like 3.8"
A 4x4 post measures 3.75” x 3.75”. I bet these would work! Let me know if you decide to try them out!
@@DIYfortheaverageguy I did, it doesnt fit
Damn... too bad. I will be uploading a second “how to fix a broken fence post”. This one will go over relocating a post & rebuilding the two panels next to it. Stay tuned! Sorry this one didn’t work for you...
Um, suppose the post is rotted a bit higher up and weak, but the concrete at the base is intact, or nearly so. The mender sure won't go into the concrete.
It is supposed to! With a big enough hammer, it should work! If the rot is 12” above grade then your likely getting into a post change…
Maybe you should have pushed on it as hard as the first time because it was still weak.
3 years later it still stands tall & strong! Cheaper then fee placing the post! Thanks for the watch!
3:22 safety sandals🤭
Temporary at best. Do yourself a favor and replace those posts with galvanized line posts and paint or not. you'll never have this problem again.
I installed these 10 years ago on my fence. We had a major wind/rain storm this week. My fence is one of the few fence still standing in the neighborhood. Sure is much easier than replacing fence posts every five years.
Safety Sandals 😂
$15? More like $50 with your link!