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T his time of year in the beautiful Pacifi c Northwest, we spend more time outside with our focus dri ing towards outdoor projects. Your fence sections may be weathered and gray, but cedar boards don't typically need replacing. If your fence is leaning signifi cantly, it may be that a post has rotted and a simple post replacement is all that's needed. Here's how to replace an anchored post on a standard wooden fence. 1. Remove the Sections To get to the post and provide working room, it's necessary to remove the attached fence sections. First, remove all fence boards within 12 inches of the post. is will also need to be done at the next post on either side of where you're working. Next, use a Sawzall® with a blade for cutting metal. Insert the blade between the post and the section rail, and cut the nails off . Do this at the post you're removing and at the post at the far end of the sections. Remove the section and set it aside for reinstallation. 2. Remove the Post Removing the old post base is a matter of digging it out. Soaking the ground with water may assist in the removal process. If the post proves diffi cult to remove, a lever can be created by driving large nails or screws into the base of the rotten post as the fulcrum before using a two-by-four to li the post out of the hole. Existing concrete should come out with the rotten post, or crumble during the process for easy removal. 3. Replace the Post e new post should be the same size as the rotten post, with a pressure-treated, ground contact wood used. Make sure the new post rises above the top of the fence; it can be cut to size later. Reinstall one of the sections using three-inch outdoor screws through the side rail and into one of the existing posts exactly where it was positioned previously. ( is is easier to perform with two people.) en, set the new post at the bottom of the hole against the section rails and secure the post to the section with screws. e new post is now positioned exactly where it should be and won't require measuring. Take the next section and situate it between the old post and the new post. e new post won't be stable, so have someone else hold it in place. 4. Secure the New Post Install a temporary brace to hold the post secure and aligned with the rest of the fence. en, it's just a simple matter of fi lling the hole with concrete or gravel. (A level may be used to confi rm that the post is close to plumb.) Gravel will need to be applied in layers and tamped solid as you fi ll the hole again. You can purchase 60-pound bags of premix concrete. Dump the dry mix into the hole, and spray water as you fi ll the hole so the dry mix receives moisture. (Dunn Lumber recommends Sakrete® brand products; please refer to their website for detailed information on working with concrete.) 5. Final Steps Cut the post at the height needed, reinstall any existing fence boards and remove the brace once the concrete is set. Finally, backfi ll the top of your hole. e replacement is now complete! Posts are a crucial part of any fence, and this simple replacement technique will keep yours going for the long term , so you can enjoy your yard and the outdoors even more while the sun is shining. MAINTAIN 44 HomeMatters FALL 2016 mbaks.com