When replacing an old fence, you’re faced with the decision of whether to remove the existing fence posts or work around them. Removing old posts can be labor intensive and time consuming, but leaving them in place also has drawbacks. This article will examine the pros and cons of removing vs. leaving old fence posts when replacing a fence, to help you decide the best approach for your situation.
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Reasons to Remove Old Fence Posts
Here are some of the top reasons you may want to take the time and effort to remove old fence posts when putting up a new fence:
Aesthetics
One of the biggest reasons to remove old fence posts is for a nicer, cleaner look. Leaving the old posts results in a fence line dotted with rotting wood, broken concrete, or rusted metal—not very visually appealing. Taking them out creates a neater, more cohesive look for the new fence.
Safety
Over time, old fence posts can become tripping hazards as they rot, break, or lean over. This is dangerous for kids or pets in the yard. Removing them lessens the risk of injuries from falling over old posts.
Prevent Decay
If old posts are just cut down at ground level, the wood or concrete left in the ground will continue deteriorating over time. This can leave hidden voids under the new fence that affect stability. Taking out all the old materials prevents future decay issues.
Proper Spacing
When old posts are spaced incorrectly or unevenly, it makes proper spacing difficult for new posts. Removing them allows you to start fresh with optimal post placement.
Clean Look
Some types of fences, like welded wire or wire mesh, really show off the fence posts as part of the overall look. Leaving old, weathered posts takes away from the clean, uniform appearance of the new fence.
Remove Vegetation
Old fence lines often have weeds, vines or shrubs growing through or around them. Taking out the posts allows you to clear out unwanted vegetation and start with a clean slate.
Reasons to Leave Old Fence Posts
On the other hand, here are some reasons you may want to leave existing fence posts in place:
Saves Time and Labor
Removing old fence posts is hard work! Digging or pulling posts, dealing with concrete footings, disposing materials, and refilling holes takes a lot of physical effort and eats up time. Leaving them in avoids this huge chore.
Leaves Established Footings
When old posts have footings set in concrete, leaving these footings saves you the work of redoing them for the new posts. The established footings also mean new posts don’t shift.
Avoids Damaging Underground Lines
Digging out old fence posts risks hitting underground pipes or wires—a dangerous and costly mistake. Leaving them avoids this liability.
Provides Attachment Points
In some fencing, like chain link, the new fencing materials can be attached to old posts, speeding installation.
Doesn’t Disturb the Soil
Removing posts requires digging holes and disturbing the soil, which can disrupt landscaping. Leaving them minimizes this disruption.
May Not Be Necessary
In some cases, like with spaced wood slat fencing, old posts may not be visible at all. If posts won’t be seen, it may not be worth removing them.
Key Factors to Consider
When deciding whether or not to remove old fence posts for a new fence, keep these key considerations in mind:
Fence Style
– Open fencing like wire mesh shows posts prominently, favoring removal
– Solid fencing with slats may hide old posts, favoring leaving them
Post Material
– Wood posts are easiest to remove
– Concrete is difficult to remove fully
– Metal posts like T-posts can usually be pulled up
Post Condition
– Rotting/damaged wood is best removed
– Posts in good shape may only need trimming
Footings
– Old concrete footings can often be reused
– Wood posts with no footings are simplest to remove
Soil Condition
– Dry, workable soil allows easier removal
– Wet, dense, or rocky soil makes removal harder
Permit Requirements
– Local codes may prohibit leaving old materials in place
– Requirements affect whether posts must be taken out
DIY or Professional
– DIYers have more labor incentive to leave in place
– Professionals may be better equipped for full removal
| Fence Type | Ease of Removing Posts | Visibility of Old Posts |
|---|---|---|
| Wire mesh | Difficult | High visibility |
| Wood privacy | Moderate | Low visibility |
| Chain link | Moderate | Moderate visibility |
| Picket | Easy | High visibility |
Preparing to Remove Fence Posts
If you do opt to take out the old fence posts, some advance preparation will make the work go smoother:
– Use stakes and string to map out new post locations for straight lines.
– Mark new post spots with spray paint or flour.
– Identify any utilities to avoid, like gas lines or sprinklers.
– Try removing one post by hand tools first, to gauge effort needed.
– Consider pros vs. cons of DIY vs. hiring a professional.
– Gather necessary tools and safety equipment, like thick gloves.
– Plan disposal method for old materials, depending on type.
– Arrange to borrow or rent any needed power equipment.
– Schedule work when ground is driest for easiest digging.
– Allow adequate time for the demanding removal process.
Methods for Removing Fence Posts
There are several different methods to try for taking out old fence posts:
Manual Removal
For softer ground or smaller posts, manually digging around posts with a shovel then using leverage to rock them back and forth until loosening them enough to pull up. This takes time but needs little equipment.
Post Pullers
Specialized tools like fence post pullers grip posts and allow increased manual leverage to pull them straight up and out. Easy to use but limited for very deep or large posts.
Extracting Concrete Footings
For concrete-anchored posts, the concrete will need to be broken up, often with a jackhammer, and then removed from the hole before the post can come out. Challenging work.
Machine Extraction
Using heavy machinery like backhoes or skid steers equipped with grapples or augers to pull, vibrate, or twist posts out of the ground. Quick but requires renting equipment.
Cutting Off at Ground Level
Sawing posts flush with the ground using reciprocating saws, concrete saws, or grinders. Leaves base of post in ground but allows new install over top.
DIY vs. Professional Removal
Removing fence posts yourself saves money but requires lots of physical labor and potentially renting equipment like post pullers or concrete breakers. Hiring pros to remove fence posts costs more but they have the tools, strength, and experience to remove posts quickly and completely.
DIY Post Removal Tips
If tackling it as a DIY project, follow these tips:
– Take breaks to avoid overexertion and injuries.
– Use thick gloves and eye protection when pulling and cutting posts.
– Apply penetrating oil or lubricant to stubborn posts ahead of time.
– Go slowly with power tools and be aware of kickback.
– Focus efforts near bottom of posts where resistance is less.
– Stack old materials neatly near access point for disposal.
Hiring a Professional
Consider hiring a pro fencing contractor for removal if:
– Posts are extra deep, extra large, or set in concrete.
– Soil is very dense, rocky, or difficult to dig.
– Underground utilities may be hit.
– Project needs to be completed fast.
– You don’t own or can’t operate needed tools.
– The manual labor would be too grueling.
Disposing of Old Fence Posts
Once you’ve put in the sweat to get old fence posts out of the ground, you’ll need to properly dispose of the waste materials. Some options include:
– Hauling wood posts to the landfill for trash disposal or recycling.
– Chopping wood posts into pieces to include with regular yard waste pickup.
– Using metal posts for scrap metal recycling.
– Burying small broken concrete pieces across a project site.
– Renting a dumpster to contain volumes of demolition debris for hauling.
– Hiring junk removal pros to legally dispose of all old fencing waste.
– Posting materials for free pickup on community exchange websites.
Conclusion
Removing old fence posts when replacing a fence has advantages for appearance, spacing, and avoiding future decay. But it also takes a lot more time and labor compared to working around existing posts. Consider the fence style, difficulty, and your capabilities to decide if taking out the old posts is worth the effort for your situation. With the right preparation and disposal plan, clearing the way for new fence posts can give you the clean slate you need for optimal look and performance.