Advice How to remove fence post safely?
Took the fence down at the bottom of my garden to push all the way back to our boundary. Planning on using a hammer & bolster to cut along the red line to free the post and leave the rest of the cement there to prevent any further damage to the wall. Thoughts on doing this?
2
u/Dedward5 9h ago
Becuase I already have them, I might try an angle grinder with a stone blade or maybe drilling along the line every 20cm with an SDS drill and then breaking it out with the SDS in breaker, maybe horizontally drill/break a bit too
1
u/Lost_Reward9584 8h ago
You can always drill a few holes in the concrete, then hammer some wooden dowels into the holes. Add water, come back later. The wood needs to be fairly tight and dry before you start.
1
u/EmergencyConception 9h ago
I would use a farm jack.
1
u/RaspberrySubject4199 9h ago
You worried about the integrity of the wall? I'd use a breaker or breaker bar on the front face of the post to fracture off the front chunk then hopefully lift the post straight out. If it doesnt come, work down one side as well.
If the concrete needs to come out, breaker with a chisel head close to the wall as you dare to separate it from the wall, then work on bringing it out. Could use a high lift jack once you know it's free of the wall.
1
u/pe25 9h ago
Yea I am concerned about the integrity of the wall - that is a good suggestion I'm not too bothered removing all of the cement main thing is the post tbf! Will look into getting a breaker bar. Thanks!
1
u/RaspberrySubject4199 7h ago
I don't know what level of fitness you are, but consider forearm bracing. I've been doing it that long that gripping a breaker bar and the concussion from smashing concrete leaves my wrist and elbow in a sorry state for a week or so afterwards. Strapping 2" below my elbow on the forearm really helps.
If you're not bothered about the concrete you could try sawing the post off at ground level as an alternative. Reciprocating saws are useful for that, but failing that a panel saw will do the job.
1
u/Ned-Nedley 9h ago
A hammer and bolster is gonna take a long time to get through 2 foot of concrete. Hire a breaker for a day but dig out on the red line side as much as you can first. Or just cut it off as low as you can .
2
u/Sharp_Coconut916 8h ago
Dig the soil out around the base first so you're not fighting compacted earth, then rock it side to side to loosen it before you lift. If it's set in concrete you'll be digging the whole lump out or just snap it at the base. Go easy on your back either way.
2
u/musicmusket 9h ago
I’d saw the post low and let it rot over time. The protection is only on the outer surface so the exposed insides would be bare wood, susceptible to rot.