how do you remove a split rail fence post

How to Remove a Split Rail Post

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How do you clean a split rail fence?

Even if your split-rail fence is weathered and worn, it's not too late to treat it properly and protect it from further weather damage. Use a scrub brush and warm water to remove dirt and debris from the split-rail fence. It's not necessary to use soap or other cleaners on the wood.

How do you remove a fence post from the ground?

The trick to removing a fence post is to apply force upward, so that you're not fighting the strength of the earth on either side of the buried post. This can be done with a jack or machinery, or with a lever and some elbow grease.

How do you stake out a fence line?

Stake out your fence line from beginning to end, including corners and gates. Tie a string tautly between corner post locations to define the line along which the line posts will be placed. Using the same measurement as the length of your rails, stake-out the line post locations. Remember to take the overlap of the rails into account.

Is it too late to fix a split rail fence?

Even if your split-rail fence is weathered and worn, it's not too late to treat it properly and protect it from further weather damage. 1 Use a scrub brush and warm water to remove dirt and debris from the split-rail fence. It's not necessary to use soap or other cleaners on the wood.

To remove a rail, first dig out a post

To replace a rail in a split rail fence you have to first dig out a post so you can slip in the new rail. We show you how.

Replace a split rail fence

Dig to the bottom of one side of the post that holds the rotted rail. Dig like a pro with these tips.

Required Tools for this Repair Split Rail Fence Project

Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you’ll save time and frustration.

Required Materials for this Replace Split Rail Fence Project

Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here’s a list.

What is Split Rail Fence?

Split rail fence is a style of wood fence, made up of only two components. Posts and rails. The post is the vertical supporting piece of the fence. Each post has holes milled into them. The rail is the horizontal piece of the fence. Manufactured from logs of lumber that get split apart. Rails insert into the post holes. Split rail fences can have 2, 3 or 4 rails. Different types of lumber are used for split rail fences. Locust, cedar and spruce are the most common. Split rail fences are rustic looking and easy to install. They are great for defining property lines, containing horses and livestock, or simply for decoration.

What Height Does Split Rail Fence Come In?

There are three standard heights. 2 rail fence is installed at 36″ high. 3 rail fence is installed at 48″ high. Lastly, 4 rail fence is installed at 54″ – 60″ high. The height of the fence is measured at the top of the rail. The posts will stick out slightly higher. What the intent the fence is used for will help determine what height the fence should be. Let’s take a look at each height and discuss some examples on where they would be used.

What is the best wood for a split rail fence?

Cedar lumber has oils in it that naturally make it weather resistant. This makes cedar a great choice for split rail fence. Mostly used in western states, cedar split rail fences last for decades in dry open areas like fields and pastures. Cedar posts and rails have a very rustic look. Rails will have a more square shape as compared to other types of lumber. Unlike treated and hardwood rails, cedar rails do not overlap each other at the post. They fit inside the posts like a tenon and mortise joint. In wet areas however, the dryer more porous cedar lumber can wick in and hold moisture. As a result growing a mold or fungus. This causes rot and decay if left unattended.

How high should a 3 rail fence be?

The most common height is a 3 rail fence. Measuring in at 48″, it is popular for many applications. Take a drive to the country and you will see 3 rail split rail fence surrounding many farms and pastures. Because it is inexpensive, it is great for covering large amounts of footage. Combined with its easy installation, it is a popular choice for ranchers and farmers. But 3 rail split rail fence isn’t just for keeping in animals. Homeowners use it in conjunction with a wire mesh backing to keep in pets and children. Builders use it along the road frontage leading up to entrances of developments. Parks and golf courses use 3 rail split rail fences around lakes and ponds, and along parking lots to prevent cars from driving on the grass.

What type of lumber is used for split rail fences?

Split rail fences use three types of lumber. Locust posts with hardwood rails, pressure treated spruce, and cedar. Each type of lumber has proven to last. However, each lumber type also has advantages and disadvantages. Let’s take a more in-depth look at each type of lumber used for split rail fences.

What is poplar railing?

Poplar is the hardwood lumber for the rails. Rail inconsistency is common with all three types of lumber. Some rails are larger than others. Poplar rails give split rail a sturdy robust look. But locust and poplar have become more expensive overtime. So manufactures started using treated yellow pine for both.

What is a black locust fence?

Black locust is a dense and strong hardwood. Perfect for fence posts. When I started installing fence 25 years ago, every split rail fence we installed had locust posts. Some of those posts are still standing today. However, the problem with locust posts was consistency. Some posts were 5″ across and others were 9″ across. Some posts would have a nice rectangular cut to them and others would be smooth on one side and have a half radius on the other side with bark hanging off it. When setting posts, it made it more difficult to keep them inline with one another. Split rail is supposed to be rustic. But some locust posts weren’t acceptable to customers. Especially in residential settings.

What to use to cover split rail fence?

Use Fence Armor. It is one of our best products for maintaining a split rail fence. The Fence Armor wraps around the foot of the posts and comes in a variety of sizes. The metal cover will stop animals from sharpening their teeth or gnawing at the wood, which can weaken the structure.

What is injected into rails and posts to protect the wood from the inside out?

Preservatives, fungicide, UV inhibitors, and sealants are injected into the rails and posts to protect the wood from the inside out, all year long.

Preliminary Steps

Before you start a fencing project, a few preliminary steps are in order:

Post and Rail Fence Materials

The most common materials are pine and cedar. Rails are usually 8 feet or 11 feet long and can be round, half round or square/diamond shaped. The rails insert into the holes in the posts and are held in place by their own weight.

Fence Layout

The layout of the fence is somewhat determined by length of the pre-cut fencing rails. The problem is that few landscapes are laid out in 8-foot or 11-foot increments. That's why measuring is a must.

Slope Changes

When dealing with slopes, follow the angle of the slope on steep inclines.

Dig Post Holes

The most important part of a fence is underground: the posts. When planning the height of your posts, plan for a clearance of at least 6 inches from the ground to the lowest rail to allow mowing and trimming. Add a couple of inches for settling over time. The best practice is to put 1/3 of the post in the ground.

How many feet of post and concrete below ground?

Add to that any code requirements to accommodate the frost line, and you may have three feet of post and concrete below ground. The trick to removing a fence post is to apply force upward, so that you're not fighting the strength of the earth on either side of the buried post.

How to make structural repairs with sistering floor joists?

How to Make Structural Repairs by Sistering Floor Joists If you don't have scrap lumber, you can use a spade bit to drill a hole in the side of the post, large enough to insert the pry bar and get leverage. Another option is to drill a hole clean through the post, with a diameter big enough to slide your bar through.

Can a concrete jack be pulled from concrete?

Second, consider the width of the concrete pier when you set the jack. If your jack is sitting on top of the concrete, all you'll be attempting to pull the post from the concrete, which will be nearly impossible.

Can you pull a fence post by hand?

But no matter which approach you choose, a little bit of prior thought can save you a lot of effort in the long term.

Why do fences turn gray?

Used to enclose pastures or simply installed as a decorative way to define property lines, the fence adds a homey, historic look to any yard. Because split-rail fences are often built with untreated wood such as cedar or pine, their constant exposure to the elements may cause them to deteriorate and turn gray over time.

Can you pressure wash split rail fences?

Avoid the temptation to pressure wash the split-rail fence, because it will likely cause further erosion and damage the wood. Wash and dry the cloths you used with the linseed oil before putting them away. Rags soaked in linseed oil and stored without washing have been known to burst into flames. Writer Bio.