How To Remove An Old Fence (& It Won't Take All Day)

Wood fences are among the types of fencing that instantly boosts your curb appeal, because they are traditional and cozy with a natural feel. However, time and lack of maintenance can mean that you need to remove an old fence that has rotted. The YouTube Channel Hammer and Home recently demonstrated how to remove an old fence with a method that won't take all day.

Although they are beautiful, one of the unexpected downsides to a classic wood fence is the upkeep requirement. Regular maintenance is needed to prevent pest damage and rotting. A wood fence can be expected to last between 15 and 20 years with proper care, but it's time to remove an old fence when it is rotting, leaning, infested with pests, dilapidated, or has missing or split fence boards.

Having the right tools for the job makes all the difference when taking down an old fence. In the video, they used an impact drill to remove the screws in the fence, as well as a farmjack, nail gun, and a Sawzall to cut down the panel sections. It's a good idea to wear a mask when removing an old fence to avoid inhaling debris, and some safety glasses to keep dust out of your eyes.

Before starting the removal process, inspect the fence and the area along the fence, check for utility lines, and clear the workspace. If your fence has lattice at the top, remove this first. Using an impact drill to remove the screws that hold the lattice to the wood slats will make taking down the lattice fast and easy. As you remove it, cut it down into sections and set it aside for disposal.

Once the lattice has been removed, the next step is to cut out the wood fence panels. Make cuts next to each post to take down the panels and remove the old fence in sections. They used a Dewalt Sawzall to cut through the panels at the posts (Dewalt is among the best power tools at Home Depot, according to customers). Once you take down the wood panels, you will be left with only the posts.

Removing the posts is often the most difficult part of the job, but the YouTube video offers a fast and less labor-intensive solution. You can use a farmjack to pull the posts out of the ground with less physical exertion. Use a piece of 2x4 and nail it about a foot from the ground to make jacking out the posts easier. Attach the jack to the bottom of the 2x4 and jack the posts up from the ground in minutes. The final step is to cut down the panels to make disposal easier.