Wooden post in concrete patio – how to replace post?

I have had a wooden fence post which was cast into our poured concrete patio by a previous owner. Naturally the wood has degraded faster than the concrete and came down in the winds last week, leaving the remains of the post in the concrete floor. Despite the wood being rotten I can’t fathom a way of digging out the stump in order to replace. What would be your plan of attack? I don’t have much concrete smashing equipment, either.

something like this.

Flat drill bit and chisel to remove the remainder of the post. The concrete that was originally poured around it should have formed a nice sleeve. Get new tanilised post plane the bottom up by 5mm on all faces. Sit post in hole then grout in using a 1/1 cement/Kiln dried sand slurry.

You may find the post is rotten at the surface but still sound lower down, and that part is a problem to deal with. And there’s this…

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/new-fence-time-postcrete-vs-metpost?replies=17#post-7057514

I’d try finding the biggest hook you can find, the sort that you would hang a bike or lawnmower from the ceiling of the garage. Try and get down to sound wood, screw it in to the post.

Get your new fence post and attach rope the hook to the post, about 30cm of rope 60cm from one end of the post.

Then shoulder the post and gently lift. I’ve seen it recommended for removing intact posts, it may work if your stump isn’t rotten too deep.

slowoldgit – Member
You may find the post is rotten at the surface but still sound lower down, and that part is a problem to deal with. And there’s this…

I can attest to this being likely

That’s a ball ache of a Sunday and one bent chisel I didn’t enjoy

Ultimately sledge hammer to the concrete was my solution

I find these work well. They just bang into the remains of the old post. I have replaced probably half of my fence posts this way and they are still going strong.

http://www.diy.com/departments/metpost-steel-repair-spur-w75mm-d75mm/38176_BQ.prd%5D

I just had to do three this weekend and replace and paint the panels for the same reason

Swearing a **** off long wrecking bar – sledgehammer and bolster Chisel and hammer

Not a fun afternoon but cost me 125 quid rather than the frankly extortionate amounts i was quoted

As kimbers said, I found a metpost repair spur stopped when it hit the solid wood below. It took some getting out and was then used cast into the replacement concrete.

metpost.co.uk is hiding right now.

Untitled by Ben Freeman[/url], on Flickr

Untitled by Ben Freeman[/url], on Flickr

Untitled by Ben Freeman[/url], on Flickr

Untitled by Ben Freeman[/url], on Flickr

Untitled by Ben Freeman[/url], on Flickr

Liking that ^ a lot footflaps. Think the repair spike might be trouble and the steel plate method won’t fit into the gap I have to work in.

Def smash up the concrete and either replace with a wooden post if you smash through the base of the concrete, or a concrete post

Footflaps
Is that the Titan 15kg breaker you are using?
If so, how do you find it copes with general breaking out etc ?
TIA

Is that the Titan 15kg breaker you are using?
If so, how do you find it copes with general breaking out etc ?

Looks like it. I have that one. Fantastic bit of kit. Used it loads now (by DIY standards) and its handled everything with ease. It is very heavy so limited use but when you need it, it does the job.

This is the one I have: http://www.screwfix.com/p/titan-ttb280drh-15-5kg-breaker-230v/67819 Thoroughly recommended if you have any breaking concrete to do.

Is that the Titan 15kg breaker you are using?
If so, how do you find it copes with general breaking out etc ?

Yep great VFM, works fine and after two WEs use it works out cheaper than hiring one!

Those Titan breakers are ace.
I don’t go on a fencing job without one now.
Heavy brutal and effective. Oh and cheap.
Tim

It’s a toss up between that one and the draper that Toolstation sell at £144.

I remember my dad removing old posts by soaking in petrol and igniting. Not the quickest method but more fun.

Petrol was his fix for most things, he had lots of great bbq’s but fewer hanging baskets and eyebrows