How it works
Why do timber fence posts break?
- Timber posts decay where they come into contact with damp soil
- Wooden fence posts therefore rot at ground level just above the concrete base, but are still solid below and above this damaged area
- During windy weather the weakened posts will snap, causing the fence to lean
- After one fence post breaks, the unsupported weight of that section of fencing will start to pull down the adjacent posts and eventually cause the whole fence to collapse
Post Buddy, the quick, easy fence post repair system
- The unique Post Buddy fence post support system will fix your broken fence posts where they stand
- The bottom half a metre (around 20 inches) of the Post Buddy stake anchors firmly into the below ground wood of the post, supported by the surrounding concrete base
- Once the top of the Post Buddy is securely screwed to the fence post, it bridges the broken section and re-joins the two pieces of the snapped post by creating a solid link
- Unlike other repairs, the Post Buddy system allows you to fix any size and shape concreted-in fence post in even difficult to reach places, without destroying your garden
WHAT YOU WILL ALSO NEED
Before you start the repair of your fence post it is recommended that you have the following items to hand, to ensure a successful and lasting result.
- 16 external grade wood screws (5mm x 50mm) per pack of Post Buddys
- Spirit Level
- Club Hammer
- Drill with screw bit attachment
- Protective Gloves
- Spade
Frequently asked questions
Moisture can cause timber to decay around ground level, where the post meets damp soil above its concrete base. This weakens the post at that point, so wind or the weight of the fence can cause it to rot and lean.
Two stakes bridge the damaged section of the post. Their lower ends anchor alongside the timber below ground within the concrete base, while their upper ends are screwed to the post above the break. This reconnects and supports the two sections. The chisel tip on each stake guides it into the correct position between the timber and the concrete as it is driven in.
For one pack of two stakes of Post Buddys you will need 16 external grade wood screws, a club hammer, spirit level, a screwdriver (ideally electric), protective gloves and a spade.
Yes, but only enough to expose the top of the existing concrete around the post. This lets you position each stake where the timber meets the concrete; you do not need to excavate the base.
Drive both stakes into position, then loosely fit a screw through the elongated hole at the top of each one. Straighten the post with a spirit level, tighten those screws and secure the stakes through their remaining holes.
Post Buddy relies on the below-ground timber and surrounding concrete to anchor the stakes. If that timber is badly decayed or missing, the repair may not have a sound fixing point. Inspect the post before fitting the stakes; a replacement post may be needed in that situation.
If you are concerned this may have happened to your fence post, you can easily test it using a long screwdriver. Simply insert the point of the screwdriver into the post at ground level and push downward. If you meet some resistance, the wood should still be solid enough for Post Buddy to repair the post.
