How to repair a leaning fence

Find out what has actually failed

A leaning fence has one of three problems. The post has rotted through at ground level; the whole footing has rocked loose in soft ground; or the panels have taken wind load the fixings were never sized for.

Test it: push the post at the top and watch the base. If the timber flexes at ground level, the post has gone. If the concrete lump moves in the soil, the footing has failed. If the post is solid and only panels move, it is a fixings problem.

The repair for each case

Matching the repair to the diagnosis:

• Rotted timber post, rest of fence sound: bolt on a concrete spur, or replace the single post
• Loose footing: dig out, enlarge the hole and re-concrete to a proper depth
• Panels moving in slotted concrete posts: check for cracked posts and fit panel clips or fixings
• Multiple failed posts along the run: replacement is usually better value than repeated repairs

Temporary make-safe

If a fence is leaning over a pavement, a shared path or towards a play area, prop it or take the affected panels out until it can be repaired properly. A fence that falls onto someone else's property becomes a much bigger problem than a fencing bill.