Fence posts failing at ground level

Rotten Fence Posts: Repair Options That Actually Last

Timber posts almost always fail at the same place: the few inches either side of ground level, where oxygen and moisture are both available.

The post above and below can look perfectly sound while that band has gone completely.

Gates and Fencing work by Gardenscape in Essex

Why concrete collars make it worse

A concrete collar that funnels water against the post traps moisture exactly where the timber is vulnerable. Concrete should be finished sloping away, with the post set into a well-drained base.

Post shoes and metal supports keep timber out of the ground entirely and dramatically extend life.

Repair spurs and spikes

A concrete spur bolted alongside a sound-but-snapped post is a genuine repair and often the most economical fix on an otherwise good fence.

Drive-in repair spikes are a short-term measure at best; on clay ground they rarely hold.

Doing replacements properly

We dig to a proper depth, use a compacted stone bed for drainage, set the post plumb in concrete finished to shed water, and let it cure before the panels go back on.

Choosing pressure-treated timber rated for ground contact, or concrete posts, avoids the same call in five years.

Frequently asked questions

Can one post be replaced without taking the fence down?

Usually the two adjoining panels come off temporarily, then go straight back.

Are concrete spurs ugly?

They are visible at the base, but they save a full replacement and weather in over time.

How deep should a post go?

As a guide, around a quarter of the height above ground, deeper in exposed or soft ground.

Posts on the way out?

We repair and replace fence posts across south Essex.

Book a fence repair Call 07535 661664