What makes fence posts fail on Conroe-area lots?

The five causes we see most

1. A shallow set in loose sand. Montgomery County's most widespread soil starts with a layer of loamy fine sand. It digs easily and grips poorly, so a post set at bare-minimum depth works loose in the first hard wind. Tall solid fences and gate posts go first.
2. Water trapped in the hole. Under the sand there is usually slow-draining clay. Rain soaks down and stops there, so a hole can hold water for days. Concrete poured into that water cures weak, and a wood post standing in it stays wet.
3. Rot at the ground line. Wood posts rarely rot at the top or deep underground. They rot in the few inches at grade, where air, water, mulch, and sprinkler spray meet. The post looks fine until it snaps in a storm.
4. Concrete finished the wrong way. Concrete left below grade or dished at the top forms a cup that holds water against the wood. A thin collar of concrete around a post, instead of a full footing, also breaks loose easily.
5. Roots and trees. On wooded lots, growing roots shove posts out of line, and leaning trees or heavy limbs load the fence from above. Pines and oaks right on the line are a frequent cause of lean on east-side and lake lots.

What prevents each one

Depth, water, and the top of the concrete are all decided on install day. Our wood-fence posts get a 24-inch minimum and 80 lb of concrete apiece, more in loose or soggy ground, and more again at gates and corners. We deal with water in the hole before the pour, shape the concrete to shed water, and add a rot board so the pickets aren't sitting in dirt. Galvanized steel posts are an option where ground-line rot is the main risk. Our article on how we set posts in Conroe soil explains the full method.

After the build, keep sprinklers aimed away from the fence, pull mulch and pine straw back from the base, and trim limbs that rub against the boards or hang over the line.

One bad post or the whole line?

One leaning post beside a gate or under a tree is usually a repair. When several posts lean the same way, or a post moves at the base when you push it, the rest of the line may be failing at the same rate. The leaning post repair guide shows how to tell the difference.

Storm damage isn't covered by our workmanship warranty, so if a storm took posts down, photograph everything before cleanup and read our guide to fence storm damage claims.

For a second opinion on a failing line, call or text (713) 331-9419 and send a few photos of the base of the worst posts.