Fencing & Gates · Problem & repair
Rotten fence posts at ground level
Timber posts almost always fail in the same 100mm band at ground level, where the wood is alternately wet and exposed to oxygen. Everything above and below can still be sound.
Once you know that, the repair options are simple to weigh up.
How to tell this is your problem
- A post that wobbles but the panels look fine
- Soft, fibrous timber at the base when prodded
- A fence run that leans progressively
- Posts snapped clean off inside their concrete
- Fungal growth or dark staining at ground line
Repair or replace?
Spurs are a legitimate repair on an otherwise good fence. If several posts are going and the panels are also tired, a rebuild with concrete posts is better value.
Why it happens
Wet-dry cycling at the ground line
Constant moisture change at the soil interface is the ideal condition for decay fungi.
Concrete collars holding water
A concrete footing finished flat or dished traps water around the post rather than shedding it away.
Cut ends not treated
Pressure-treated timber cut on site exposes untreated heartwood unless the cut is re-treated.
Soil or mulch piled against the post
Raised beds and borders built up against a fence bury the post and accelerate decay.
Repair options, cheapest first
- 01
Concrete repair spur
A short concrete spur bolted to the sound timber above the rot and concreted into the ground. Cost-effective and avoids dismantling the fence.
- 02
Full post replacement
The post is removed with its footing and replaced, ideally in concrete or with a metal post support. The cleanest long-term result.
- 03
Switch to concrete posts and gravel boards
Removes the vulnerable detail permanently. Panels then sit clear of the ground and can be swapped easily in future.
- 04
Improve the ground detail
Finishing footings so water sheds away, and keeping soil and mulch off the timber, extends the life of any post.
Cost and time on site
Indicative cost
Spurs are the cheapest intervention, per post. Full replacement costs more per post but resets the clock.
Typical duration
Several posts can normally be dealt with in a single day.
Every quote is priced after seeing the site. We will tell you honestly whether spurs will do or whether the run needs rebuilding.
Rotten fence posts: common questions
- How long do timber fence posts last?
- It varies widely with treatment, soil and drainage. Ground-line moisture is the deciding factor, which is why concrete posts last so much longer.
- Are concrete repair spurs a permanent fix?
- They are a durable fix as long as the timber above the spur is sound. If the whole post is soft, replacement is the honest option.
- Should posts be set in concrete or postcrete?
- Either works when the hole is deep enough and the finish sheds water. Depth and drainage matter more than which product is used.
- Can I use metal post anchors instead?
- Drive-in anchors work in firm ground for lighter fences, but in exposed positions a concreted footing gives far more resistance to overturning.
Services that fix this
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