How to Reinforce Fence Posts

With a few basic garden tools and materials, you can fix loose posts to make sure your fence stays safe and secure and lasts much longer.

1. Dig holes around the fence posts. Use the sharpshooter shovel to remove small amounts at a time until you have enough clearance to work.

2. Drive stakes into the ground a few feet out from the fence and attach support boards running to the fence. Use the level to move the fence until it's plumb, and then use screws to temporarily secure it in place.

3. Use a 2x4 to tamp the earth around each post.

4. Fill the hole about 1/3 full of gravel, and tamp the gravel down. Fill the rest of the hole with a special no-mix concrete designed for use in postholes. Continue until each posthole is filled.

5. Mist the concrete with water and use a trowel to press concrete around posts. How much water you'll need to add depends on soil conditions. Follow the concrete manufacturer's directions. Remove the temporary supports when the concrete has cured.

6. Cover each hole with soil to hide concrete.