How to Replace a Rotted Fence Post | This Old House
Adding new life to an old fence with This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook. (See below for a shopping list and tools.)
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Tools for How to Replace a Rotted Fence Post:
layout square [amzn.to/33IZ73J]
circular saw [amzn.to/2OOqIMR]
hammer [amzn.to/2RbYdKB]
pointed shovel [amzn.to/2DN3GPP]
plastic tarp [amzn.to/2Ybb8h6]
post-hole digger [amzn.to/2Yh78vB]
mason's line [amzn.to/2RdwKIe]
6-foot level [amzn.to/37YhbKt]
impact driver [amzn.to/2DIdASU]
Shopping List for How to Replace a Rotted Fence Post:
cedar fence post [amzn.to/382qV6v]
two 24-inch-long 2x4s [amzn.to/2rbM2CH] for supporting fence section
3/4-inch gravel [amzn.to/385k8sH]
2x3 [amzn.to/2LjbE7Q] get one 8-footer
graded base [amzn.to/2RhTPto]
3-inch decking screws [amzn.to/2YcKuEy]
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How to Replace a Rotted Fence Post | This Old House
/ thisoldhouse
This guys so New England I can’t get enough of it lol
yeah noticed the same thing
Kevin said, "Nice job Roger" but Kevin did all the work. What's so nice Kevin?
Idiot, he told him how to do everything, next time turn on subtitles...
Roger was the brains and Kevin was the muscle.
I've seen every episode . and still have cable box set to record new. now I'm here watching its a drug I'm hooked on
Roger Cook You are the Best! Thanks for all your information through the Years.
One good thing about this old house episodes, there's always plenty of helping hands available
They say it's a requirement for a man to say "that's not going anywhere" after fixing something.
Who is they? I usually beat my wife after fixing something due to the frustration
@@ThatOneguy-br3uf I hope you didn't beat your wife. Is there a better way to phrase that
Its a funny thing to say "that's not going anywhere" because would a fence post survive the heat death of the universe? maybe but cant say for sure.
That's not always a good thing to hear, like when my mechanic says it.
I always use that line when I try to repair my car.
I can’t say it enough, I LOVE THIS SHOW!!!
My son and I worked many hours removing a post that had concrete around it and in your case there was no concrete. you had it easy. Made for TV.
Ikr. I was looking for a real post replacement.
I think the fact they got those screws out after that many years was a mirical of its own
I'm from LA and all my Dad and I used were pressure treated 4x4s in a 27 inch hole. Bottom 3 inches were crushed rock or sand and set the post on top of that. Filled in the post with concrete, then the top 2-3 inches were top soil. Lasted a long time especially since it is dry there.
This is exactly the way to do it. The way they do it in the video they will be replacing every post on that fence every 3-4 years. Cedar is great for outdoor use but not great for ground contact. Only thing different in the northeast from what you did is the holes have to be 40+ inches deep because they have to be below the frost line.
I wish dirt was that nice to dig everywhere jeez
Same dirt they use on the "Garden Weasel'' tiller commercials.
If I had that kind of dirt in my yard, I might have a chance at actually growing grass. What I have is almost half rocks.
What is this dirt you speak of. I have only had the priveledge to dig in cementified clay.
Aaron Mackay same
Soak that dirt a couple hours before you dig.
Almost every time I've seen a rotted post in a fence or deck, the worst rot is close to the ground level where people often add topsoil. They'll last a lot longer if that part of the post is protected with a little concrete. That also simplifies landscaping so you don't hit the post with the weedwacker constantly, and expose more end grain that rots faster.
It’s the combo of moisture and oxygen that contributes to the rot. That’s why the wood was in good shape at depth. Utility company’s will sometimes paint asphalt in this area of their wood poles to extend the life of the pole.
I love this show.
Don't wanna take the whole fence apaahht Throw everything on the taahhp
hemah
pahk the kah !!!
@Tony Samson your name is Tony
Tony Samson not all massachusetts people sound like this, I found myself laughing at him and I’m 15 min from Boston
@@cyriously_nick2191 I live in Worcester. Usually people over 50 who grew up in mass sound like that. People who are 30 or 40 usually just pronounce stuff weird .
Woah they make that look so easy!
Beautiful fall day
Where's the part where they dug the 100 pound chunk of concrete out of the ground.
Exactly lol. Not to mention it only looked like the post was about 18" below grade. Here in Ontario (Canada) some guys go anywhere from 36 to 42 inches deep encased in concrete
Fax. Gonna rot again & again
@@LOUDsigh They know that, it's a quick repair job that'll last at least as long as the rest of that fence.
Hate to break it to you but you do not need concrete to set a post and by not setting it in concrete you will get a longer life of the post. You pour stone in and then top with dirt and tamp it down. Many areas around the US do not use concrete at all with posts due to the earlier onset of rot compared to just rock and gravel.
That’s the best part…haha
Thanks for posting the rotten post job.
they make everything look so easy
I know people are asking why not go down 48 inches for frost, but over my 65 years in New England I don't ever recall seeing frost more than about 20 inches, and that was a darn cold winter! BTW, I just installed city water and the inspector wanted the main at 48 inches as well, but when I asked why the outdoor meter pit had pipes within 18 inches of the surface he didn't have an answer!
smart job indeed ,God bless yours
Paint the 'In ground' portion of the new post with roofing tar ! THEN , pour gravel and tamp !
Yes seal the wood below grade and also the end.
Nice. In the clay soils down here in TX we need to set the post in Concrete. Would love to see you replace the post in a good neighbor fence
That's a really cool idea I like those cuttings you made that was actually priceless. How deep did you put the post.
Thats the sweet spot in the land.
always a good idea to surround the wood post with at least 6" of topsoil. guaranteed to rot post PDQ and convince homeowner to use metal posts in a bit of concrete convex at surface above grade with proper rock drainage under the post
The proper way to install that post in the ground. Before placing the new post in the hole apply a coat of roofing cement on the flour sides of the post to about 2 inches above grade. That along with the rocks for drainage would protect the post from rotting.
Great idea 💡
Thanks Kev
One of the best video
I was looking for a video for a different fence repair, but somehow I got completely lost in this. Great vid
This is a big help for removal. My problem is that there is a lot of concrete around the hole, not much if any room to "dig out" the broken piece of the post....Do they make any sort of post rectracting tool?
Got this post from the yaaaad!!
I bet Roger was a beast back on the day!
REPAIR A FENCE POST: kzhead.info/sun/ltmlgbSXsHObm30/bejne.html
Love the videos.
Great video.
If you really want to put off rot in your fence posts, cover the part of the post that will be underground with 2-3 coats of exterior primer. It seals the wood and prevents water and bugs from getting into the wood.
Preston
The Romans used to put the ends of wooden posts in a fire to scorch the outside of the the wood. Archeologists have discovered old river bridges and the only thing left are scorched part of the posts sunk into river beds. All other material signs have gone.
@@koitorob that's an awesome tip! I am definitely taking the blow torch to my fence post before replacing it today.
Would you recommend anchoring a post with concrete ?
that fence post is solid - it will be left standing when the other posts fail next spring and entire fence takes flight
“One more” Bangs it twice 🤯
most posts are set in concrete, what then about getting the concrete out or do you leave it in?
The accents alone are worth the view!
Never in my life have i seen such loose and easily dug soil than I do in every This Old House video
Some gold nuggets right here
Woodglut is full of amazing tips. It helped me a lot.
Check out the video kzhead.info/sun/qc19haiohKGgoo0/bejne.html
They didnt even use the weathered pole they used the new one lol
Alot of times we have to flip the script if another post closer to the road is faulty. Curb appeal, but nothing more than trivial where this video is concerned. A year or two they will look almost the same.
Yes they did. Neighbor side there Helen Keller!
Nope, only one side was weathered 5:12
exactly that was just the comment I made , incredible
Nothing is better than when people use standard pieces so you can fix it later
Excellent Video! At 0:41 I could see duh post. LOL!
I have a 25 year old fence that hat the posts put in concrete.had to replace the railings but the posts are just fine!
Didn't know anyone installs the initial fence without concrete.
+MrTommy001 they don't
Most people do unfortunately especially people that diy. That said concrete isn't really needed for the majority of fences, gravy, compacted stone dust mix and more gravel is more then enough in most conventional fences. But as for me, fuck it i'll use concrete it's not that expensive.
Concrete isn't necessary and can actually hold more water against the post causing more rot. Then when it is necessary to replace posts you have to deal with the hardened concrete.
Well, people who dig wooden posts into the ground dont know how to do it properly. Wooden postst always have to sit above groundlevel in sockets which are set(or screwed onto) into concrete. Everything else is just wrong.
Hahaha. We never put cement in unless it’s needed
Helps to wrap ice and water shield around the first 12" below grade to slow bacteriological activity
HI TOH , it sure is good too see Roger back in his prime , why couldn't you put some kind of oil on these fence posts to help prevent rot !!! 👍😊
First time I've seen Kevin WORK
Gotta have a 2x3 for a tamper... And what store did they just walk into & get a pre-weathered fence post?
Piggly Wiggly
Piggly wiggly I get them there all the time
We had a tornado blow down part of our fence in NY like 2-3 years ago. Still haven’t fixed it
Wow! Roger I’m an old woman, I do not ever notice men, ever! I’m too tired. But for whatever it’s worth, you sir, are very* handsome! I hope it makes your day! Thank you both for the video. It was great!
To prevent rotting post fill hole with concrete to about 2 in before top of hole fill with pebbles and dirt and bam post good
what if you waxed the bottom that's in the ground? Like just used a bunch of candle wax or something similar to prevent moisture from getting in? Or would that cause more problems because now moisture can't exit from the bottom
That prevents moisture from exiting the wood.
everythings so perfect up here in Mass, we dont even need cement!
HOWdy T-O-H, Thanks COOP ...
So that's how its done!
I built a fence in 1980 with all cypress It weathered a beautiful silver grey. but, the posts all rotted at grade level. Turns out cypress in great above or below grade but at grade it always rots. I replaced the posts with pressure treated pine and the fence lasted over 15 years until I sold the house.
Didn’t they just use the “new non-weathered” post?
Yeah not sure what that was all about
Looks like the weathered one doesn't have the same hole spacing when you look close at 0:50
ScienceBitch it’s still the weathered one at 3:33, next scene is using the new one though. I agree it must be due to the hole spacing.
Yeah they started with the other one
Haha, good catch.
Hope you have helpful neighbours allowing allowing you into their back garden.
Interesting
Hey Kevin, what do you mean, Roger didn't do anything, Kevin you did all the work.
Putting Kevin to work! Lol
3:04 "I want you to open that hole up and see if you can go any deeper" That's what she said lol
Easiest job on earth...been fencing for over 40 years....wish I had seen posts without concrete....who the hell does that.They will all be gone 100%
The wind will loosen them lol
Yup. Havent got 40 years but as a point when I'm fixing rotted posts with the concrete under the dirt I will literally just kick the post over and show them the rotted cross section. Then I explain that a lot of home owners dont wanna see the concrete and its exactly why I will have a job replacing fences for life. Always have the concrete slightly above grade and domed at the top. I hear there is a new plastic cap you can put on top of the concrete and blast it with a heat gun that also keeps the concrete dry and creates an even more water tight seal.
Just paint the buried section with roofing tar.
What about cementing the post, would that make any difference.
Nope. Because the place where wood touches concrete will be a place for water to accumulate and it will rot the post. So if you're going to cement it, you'll have to put a metal post base to separate them. Doing that for every post in your fence will require a ton of concrete and even more work. Putting packed stone and stonedust allows good drainage and cider itself can withstand the rest.
I want this (stay @home thing) done before 4th of July so I can fully celebrate my freedom.
What happened? They started with the weathered post and ended with the new post.
I always paint the buried part with tar to prevent rot
Must be convenient having a fence post that is attached with those pocket hole type braces lol
Useful advice.
I’m here for the comments.... 😁
What about the other shaky post?
Nothing better than using the rotten post rail in your new post 😊
@4:50, this "graded base", otherwise referred to in clip as stone dust, it seems dark, is there soil in it? Do Home Improvement stores or local topsoil companies refer to this as "base sand"? Is there a recommended crushed screen size (i.e. 5/8", 1/4" minus crushed?). Any recommended distributors, Brands, names to look for?
Must be nice to not have to go down 40" and use concrete to avoid frost heave :)
40 inches...WTH?
4 feet here in canada.
48" upstate New York minimum lol
This is a good video but what about my poles in uk that are fitted in a nice big concrete mix 😩😫😫😫
Using metal ground anchor will prevent the wood post coming in contact with the ground thus protecting the wood from rotting.
3:04 that's what she said😂
By she do you mean your mother?
You made Michael Scott proud.
I love playing your videos on the TV when I'm clapping my granny neighbors cheeks after mowing her grass
3:00 is that a laugh or an asthma attack?
Seriously? You ended up putting the 'new $50' post in instead of the 'weathered $20' post that matched the existing fence.
Look closer @5:12
TIMBAH
TAAAAHP
Cedah
Are you using a impact driver?
So mortise and tenon fences are a thing??
All those leaves on the ground would drive me crazy as a homeowner
"Kevin, do you understand the words coming out of my mouth?"
🤣🤣🤣
yeah i noticed they used the $55.00 post, finally roger got him some respect, i learned a thing or two.
They didn't. It was only weathered on one side because it was laying down on top of a stack of posts. Look at when they go around to the back side at. 5:12
Why the fence posts don't covered with a liquid tarpaulin?
Rahgah always keeps a tahp in his cah when hes on the jahb to protect the yahd. Wish he would have coated that post with tah though. You wouldnt see it from fah. He woulda been a supah stah.
LOL
Only in America can the enthusiasm be of that level for a fence post
5:34 a little more...........yeah! HAAAHAA
Bing Bing Bing. Never works out that way!
What is graded base?
Needs a concrete Godfather, bolted with all of post above ground. Lasts 4 times longer 👍