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Privacy fence root issue

Posted on 6/2/21 at 1:25 pm
Posted by boodro
Lafayette
Member since Jul 2013
874 posts
Posted on 6/2/21 at 1:25 pm
I’m attempting to repair my fence that fell the last hurricane . All my 4x4 posts snapped at the cement . The cement is still in the ground in all but 1 spot. I attempted to dig new holes but they are real close to this huge oak tree and it didn’t take very long to hit solid roots. I tried to sawzall with a 9.5” blade. Went through but I’m afraid they are bigger than that. I could attempt to lift the old cement out of the hole but i will no doubt be left with a giant hole . I did one of them and it was a bitch. Anyone have a recommendation or dealt with something similar? Thanks I’m advance

Posted by mtcheral
BR
Member since Oct 2008
2104 posts
Posted on 6/2/21 at 1:43 pm to
Get in there with a chainsaw or you may need to just need to move over a little and find a spot without the root.
Posted by MikeBRLA
Baton Rouge
Member since Jun 2005
17192 posts
Posted on 6/2/21 at 1:46 pm to
Use a high-lift jack to remove the old concrete....boom you have new holes.

In cases like yours where the post broke, I drill a large bolt into the existing wood post at ground level and attach a chain from the bolt to the jack. Super easy. Literally 5 minutes per post and you are done, and have a new hole.
Posted by RaginCajunz
Member since Mar 2009
7170 posts
Posted on 6/2/21 at 1:46 pm to
A few options come to mind. One or both may work for you.

1- screw something into any solid wood left of the 4x4 and either create a ledge that you can pry up with using a fresh 4x4, or use a car jack to help pull the post/cement collar up.

2- many times the wood will pull clean leaving a square hole. You can then break the concrete and collapse it on itself to remove it bit by bit.

It's a lot of work no matter what. You're better off reusing those holes. Big holes to backfill is easier than digging new holes along giant roots.

This post was edited on 6/2/21 at 1:48 pm
Posted by h0bnail
Member since Sep 2009
7628 posts
Posted on 6/2/21 at 1:49 pm to
I'd take off those pink crocs and put on some work boots before I did anything else.
Posted by idlewatcher
Planet Arium
Member since Jan 2012
96741 posts
Posted on 6/2/21 at 2:00 pm to
quote:

Use a high-lift jack to remove the old concrete....boom you have new holes.



This.

Mechanical advantage is your friend amigo
Posted by footballdude
BR
Member since Sep 2010
1114 posts
Posted on 6/2/21 at 2:25 pm to
You have all the holes you need, just need to get the old concrete out first.


I built a tripod about 4' high

Used metal pipe with a big ubolt as an attachment point for a (heavy duty) come a long

position tripod over the concrete

wrap chain around the concrete using slip knot, you may need to dig around the concrete slightly to expose 1-2 inches to allow the chain to bite

connect chain to come a long

pull up slowly

About 1 min per hole

Move to next hole
This post was edited on 6/2/21 at 2:28 pm
Posted by sosaysmorvant
River Parishes, LA
Member since Feb 2008
1492 posts
Posted on 6/2/21 at 3:11 pm to
quote:

You have all the holes you need, just need to get the old concrete out first.


I built a tripod about 4' high

Used metal pipe with a big ubolt as an attachment point for a (heavy duty) come a long

position tripod over the concrete

wrap chain around the concrete using slip knot, you may need to dig around the concrete slightly to expose 1-2 inches to allow the chain to bite

connect chain to come a long

pull up slowly

About 1 min per hole

Move to next hole


Solid advice.

You will never be able to dig new holes with that tree, dawg. Better to use existing holes as mentioned before. Gonna be a lot of work.
Posted by Thecoz
Member since Dec 2018
3965 posts
Posted on 6/2/21 at 3:17 pm to
Corded reciprocating saw with shrub blade...
Have removed tree roots in past with them...
Posted by boodro
Lafayette
Member since Jul 2013
874 posts
Posted on 6/2/21 at 3:34 pm to
quote:

I'd take off those pink crocs and put on some work boots before I did anything else.
For sure but I'm definitely keeping the dress on
Posted by boodro
Lafayette
Member since Jul 2013
874 posts
Posted on 6/2/21 at 3:36 pm to
quote:

I built a tripod about 4' high

Used metal pipe with a big ubolt as an attachment point for a (heavy duty) come a long
i like this tripod idea. I was thinking removing the cement would probably be the way to go. Even though it will suck, The other other option would suck more. Thanks guys!
Posted by BlackAdam
Member since Jan 2016
7160 posts
Posted on 6/2/21 at 4:40 pm to
quote:

Use a high-lift jack to remove the old concrete....boom you have new holes.

In cases like yours where the post broke, I drill a large bolt into the existing wood post at ground level and attach a chain from the bolt to the jack. Super easy. Literally 5 minutes per post and you are done, and have a new hole.


This is exactly what my dad taught me to do. Make a simple machine. Work smart not hard.
Posted by wickowick
Head of Island
Member since Dec 2006
46352 posts
Posted on 6/2/21 at 4:44 pm to
(no message)
Posted by wickowick
Head of Island
Member since Dec 2006
46352 posts
Posted on 6/2/21 at 4:44 pm to
Posted by ChEgrad
Member since Nov 2012
3872 posts
Posted on 6/2/21 at 6:57 pm to
Arborist will tell you you just killed half the tree. Hopefully, you did not. But each big root is connected to a major pet of the tree and feeds it. My arborist told me not to cut any root over 1 1/2”.
Posted by eatpie
Kentucky
Member since Aug 2018
1583 posts
Posted on 6/3/21 at 10:47 am to
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