Project: Fence Post Reset in Memphis

Local Handyman Mid-South

January 20, 2025

Close-up of aging wooden fence posts showing surface wear, cracking, and moisture exposure along a residential property line.

At Local Handyman Mid-South, we reset a leaning fence line in Memphis where saturated soil and post movement—not broken boards—were the real problem.

The Situation (Before)

The homeowner noticed the fence line had started to lean and the gate wouldn’t latch consistently. No boards were broken, and from a distance the fence still looked “okay,” but several posts had tilted after repeated storms. The yard sits over loess soil with poor hold when saturated, and the fence runs through an area that stays damp longer due to shade.

What Caused the Problem

This was a classic Memphis fence issue. Heavy rain softened the loess soil around the posts, reducing resistance at the base. Wind loads from storms pushed against the panels while the ground was at its weakest, allowing the posts to drift incrementally. Over time, the lean became noticeable even though the fence materials themselves were still in good condition.

What We Did

Our team at Local Handyman Mid-South removed the affected posts, corrected the hole depth and drainage, and reset them plumb using ground-contact-rated materials and proper concrete placement. We realigned the gate hardware once the posts were stable, ensuring the load was transferred evenly instead of pulling the fence back out of line.

The Result (After)

The fence line was restored to straight alignment, the gate closed cleanly, and lateral movement was eliminated. Because the underlying soil–post connection was corrected, the fence now resists future rain and wind cycles instead of slowly drifting again.

Top view of old wooden fence posts with cracked grain and visible aging along a backyard fence line.

Why This Matters in Memphis

Most leaning fences here don’t fail because the fence is “old.” They fail because the soil loses holding power during wet periods. Resetting posts correctly—rather than bracing or replacing boards—prevents repeat failure in Memphis conditions.