I have two adjacent 4×4 fence posts that are wobbly. I excavated one:
It is set in a concrete footing that is maybe 4–6" below ground. The portion of the post that was below ground is rotten, while the rest seems fine. I’m not sure if the ground level is rising, but this footing has been below the surface since we moved in ~10 years ago.
How can I repair them? It’s okay if it doesn’t look great, but I want a robust fix while minimizing the amount of labor. I also want to avoid hiring someone.
The horizontal 2×4s could be removed permanently. The re-bar is an attempt to temporarily stabilize it.
We are in an arid but not super dry climate, and this area is one of the wetter parts of the yard.
Best Answer
I've used an "easy mender" (see below) with success. It fits around one side of a 4x4 fence post and the protruding strike ledge is used to drive it down. It gets driven down along the post until the point goes between the post and the concrete it's embedded in. Basically, the steel mender gets wedged into the concrete, making a new stable base. Then, just use nails, bolts or screws to secure the mender's side to the still-good upper post section.