How to Fix a Leaning Fence Post

A leaning fence post can be fixed by bracing it straight, adding concrete around the base, or completely resetting it in a deeper hole with fresh concrete.

  1. Know What You're Dealing With. Check how severely the post is leaning and dig around the base to see if the concrete footing is cracked, loose, or missing entirely. Look for signs of rot in wooden posts or rust in metal ones. If the post itself is severely damaged, you'll need to replace it entirely rather than straighten it.
  2. Get Everything Ready First. Remove any fence panels or rails attached to the leaning post to give yourself room to work. You'll need quick-setting concrete mix, gravel, a level, temporary braces (2x4 lumber works well), and basic digging tools. Have a garden hose ready for water.
  3. Expose the Whole Problem. Use a shovel or mattock to dig around the post, creating a hole about 8-12 inches wide and deep enough to expose the existing footing. Remove any loose concrete chunks or old gravel. If the original hole was too shallow (less than 2 feet deep for a 6-foot fence), you'll need to dig deeper.
  4. Get It Plumb, Keep It There. Carefully push or pull the post back to vertical position. Use a level to check that it's perfectly straight both front-to-back and side-to-side. Install temporary wooden braces from the post to stakes driven into the ground at 45-degree angles. Make sure these braces hold the post rock-solid while you work.
  5. Lock It Down With Concrete. Pour 3-4 inches of gravel into the bottom of the hole for drainage. Mix your quick-setting concrete according to package directions - you'll typically need 2-3 bags for a standard fence post. Pour the dry mix around the post, then add water and let it set. The concrete should slope slightly away from the post to shed water.
  6. Wait, Then Restore the Fence. Allow the concrete to cure for at least 4 hours before removing the braces, though overnight is better. Once fully set, backfill any remaining space with soil and reinstall your fence panels or rails. Check that the repair hasn't affected the alignment of adjacent fence sections.