When you set your mind to doing something, whatever the reason might be, sometimes you’re just standing there, staring at the problem, wondering “How hard can this be?
If you’ve got a metal fence that’s becoming an eyesore because it’s rusting or bent or you just hate its placement — you’re not alone.
You want it gone and while some posts pop right out like, they are buried in concrete hard and deep.Either way, let’s talk about how to get it out of the ground without wrecking your yard, or your back.
Step 1: Figure Out What You’re Dealing With
Before you go all-in with brute force, you need to understand what’s going on. Is the post just stuck in the dirt, or is it stuck in a pool’s worth of concrete around it? Wiggle it a little to see if it moves. If it does, removal will be easy. If it doesn’t, be prepared to do some hard work.
Step 2: Try the Easy Method First
Luck is on your side if our post isn’t cemented in. Grab some gloves, get a good grip, and pull as hard as you can. If it budges, but doesn’t come out, rock it back and forth to loosen it. You can also dig around the base a little to make things easier. But if it were that simple, you probably wouldn’t be reading this, so read ahead.
Step 3: Start Digging
If your post is stuck in concrete, and it probably is,, you’ll need to dig around it. Use a shovel, a digging bar, or even a post hole digger to expose the concrete base. You don’t have to remove all the dirt, just enough to get some leverage. You can also use a sledgehammer or jackhammer to smash the concrete, and unless you enjoy breaking rocks for fun, it’s gonna take some effort.
Step 4: Use a Jack
Pulling a cemented post out of the ground by hand is impossible. Instead, use a farm jack, car jack, or high-lift jack to do the work for you. Wrap a heavy-duty chain or strap around the post, hook it to the jack, and start cranking. Slowly but surely, the post will start lifting without you having to break a sweat.
Step 5: The Last Attempt
Sometimes the best solution is the one that lets you move on with your life the fastest. If all else fails, or if you just don’t have the patience, you can cut the post at ground level with a reciprocating saw or an angle grinder. However, the concrete will still be underground, and if you ever plan to put something else in that spot, you’ll have to deal with it later.
Call the Pros
If all of this sounds like way too much work, or if your post is being extra stubborn, just call in the experts. Big Jerry’s Fencing knows fences inside and out, which means we also know how to remove them without turning your yard into a disaster zone. Whether you need a fence gone, a new one installed, or just some solid advice, we’ve got your back.
