How to fix tilted metal fence post?

playgamemy

The high pressure water pipe parallel to my front fence was busted and a lot of silt was lost due to the water leak to the surface.

One of the posts has tilted immensely, along with sinking of the foundation the gate rail was sitting on.

the gate has tilted towards pedestrian but it is not of any danger of collapsing, and I have since moved the bracket outwards so it can still be open and close without issue (for now).

But the tilted post is pushing pressure onto the aluminium slates, and pushing the post on the other side of the slate to tilt, and press against my pedestrian gate so it cannot be open or close properly.

how can I fix the tilted post? Do I have to remove all the slates, dig til I reach the concrete base, and somehow readjust it’s angle, and pour more concrete in before covering with mud? Are there any simpler option, just so I can slightly straighten it and at least relieve the pressure on the slates? In fact, because of the pressure, I am not sure I can remove the slate as it is not pushes against between two posts.

what should I do?

P.S. if there are any tips on how to level the ground, DIY or not, please kindly let me know, I don’t even know who to call to get the sunken ground fix.

Tilted post is the one at the front, and tilted toward the right against the pedestrian gate post

Jewelleryrescue

Hi @playgamemy

Firstly sorry you have this problem. I can not see any easy fix.

I think you all ready know the fix and that is the reversal of what happened the support soil needs to go back and we cant hose it back in.

A fencing company that made your gate originally could help or another similar gate company in your area.

If this was a council or sydney water pipe that burst you have every right to ask them to fix your gate to operational so take your claim to them too.

I am thinking there is only 2 possible DIY or assisted satisfactory solutions

1. The Post needs to be dug out fully and reset straight and re cemented. Physically pushing this post straight would take extreme force and may destroy or weaken it and it may never return to its original position as dirt has filled behind it.

2. Have a welding company cut or bend the post upright again and Sleaving and re enforcing the posts into its new upright position. Leaving the post footing bent underground.

The track has to re raised to operational level.

To fix the track I might try digging under the sunken slab and using a lump of timber on top of the car jack lift the slab up to 30mm above normal level and cement or brick in support peirs underneath then lower the jack down the extra 30mm should disappear as the weight settles.( This works I raised a ancestors sunken - 150mm grave cement plot this way. True story. A risk here is the side of the slab will break off) Or simpler lift the track and add more cement and build up the collapsed slabs to the normal level and re lay the track (may not look nice). Or cut out and dig sunken concrete and pour a new slab to correct track height.

The gate and fence may need to be partly dismantled Measure the correct post distances to ensure it is rebuilt properly.

EricL

Hello @playgamemy

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's wonderful to have you join us, and thank you for sharing your question about your tilted metal fence post.

It's great that you've received excellent advice from @Jewelleryrescue. The options suggested are spot on and I'm afraid there is no quick fix to this issue. The general steps would be to disassemble the panels so that they don't get damaged or warped while trying to repair the post. Once the panels are off the post has to be dug out.

The area might need to be left open to let the trapped moisture in the soil to escape. If repairs are carried out straight away the soft soil might give way and the post will start to lean again. When the ground is dry enough you can then carry out repairs and re-concrete the post in place.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric