4×4 post broke off below ground – any tricks to get it out?
I have a 4×4 PT post installed against my house and surrounded by paver deck. The post held the hinge side of an aluminum pool gate. Now the post has rotted/broke off below ground level. It lasted about ten years.
I tried to dig it out and I can get about 6 to 8 inches down to where there is “solid wood”, but I can’t get a hold of anything to pull it out.
Does anyone have any tricks or ideas on how to extract the remaing post section (probably 3 foot) so I can put a new post in the same hole?
In order to use my post hole digger, I would need to remove a lot more pavers (I’m tryig to avoid this). I was thinking if there was a way to drill into the post, maybe there is some type of anchor bolt that I could get in there, then use my tractor or bumper jack or somethign to pull it straight up. I haven’t found anything at HD that looks like it would work.
Thanks
Replies
I have driven a long lag bolt in and levered it up in a similar situation.
Or just key the new post into the old one (maybe use a piece of rebar between) and bolt it to the side of the house.
Just to follow up on my post - I've decide to mount (bolt) the replacement 4x4 to the corner of the house. I'll just drill a couple of holes in the post and house and use tapcon anchors.
The lag bolt idea was good, but I found out that a 1/2 x 10 or 1/2 x 12" lagbolt is $$$. Besides the post doesn't need to be in the ground since it is right up against the house (which is concrete block with stucco finish).
Thanks for the ideas.
Get a long lag screw 8" or
Get a long lag screw 8" or so. Slip it through a piece of chain and run it down into the wood and hope it is solid enough to hold. Then wrap the chain around a 2x4 and make a lever/fulcrum deal, stacking up blocks or something. A ladder might even work. Pul it up, reposition and pull it up some more. If you can pull straight up, it should come right out.
Great ideas (well, all but one) - thanks
The lag bolt throug a length of chain is a great idea! I'll try that next.
The idea about just bolting the post to the wall (not burying it) is good too. If attempt above doesn't work, then this will be next try.
The dynamite idea is last resort. :)
Thanks!
Send your wife to visit her sister before you try the dynamite fix -- you may want a couple of days alone to straighten things up afterwards.
CB
the lever idea will work, you can even use a hydraulic jack to raise it. (Block up one end, jack the other.
But
be carefull, fully embed the bolt and don't go short. Anything pulls out or breaks will be a weapon.
Have you considered using a 1/4 stick of TNT?
If you're not in a hurry and can coordinate this with the 4th of July, then it could just become part of the festivities.
Heavy C clamp if the lag bolt doesn't do it.
Going to be kinda hard to get a C-clamp on the post, I suspect, given it's broken off below ground level and surrounded by pavers.