Has your fence been giving you some trouble lately? Have you been considering replacing it, but still want to try and repair it before you make the final decision? If you answered yes to these questions, then you’re in the right place. A completely new fence can be a costly project. It’s no surprise that you’d rather ensure you’ve done everything you could’ve before you take that step.
Below, you will find some of the most common problems people experience with their fences and some tips on how you can fix that issue.
However, before we start, always make sure that you’re wearing the right kind of clothing when repairing your fence, as safety is crucial. Ideally, you should be wearing protective gear, but if you don’t have it, ensure that you’re at least wearing something to protect your eyes.
Also, if you share your fence with a neighbor, make sure that you inform them of any work that will be taking place.
My Wooden Fence Needs Post Replacement
If you have a wooden fence, then one of the most common issues that will make you ask “how to repair a wooden fence” will be a wood post needing replacement. That’s because wood is a natural material that can rot.
In order to fix it, you will need to equip yourself with 2×4 bracing, a reciprocating saw, concrete, a drill, a digging bar, and a few screws.
- Use the bracing on either side of the post and on both sides of the fence.
- Cut the nails that are holding the rails using the saw.
- Once the nails are cut, you will need to muscle the post out of the ground and use a sledgehammer to break up the concrete.
- Once you’ve prepared a spot for your new wooden post, you need to put it in place using the bracing and fill the hole you created by digging out the old concrete with a new one.
- Reattach the rails using new screws and remove the bracing once the concrete is hard enough.
My Wooden Fence Is Leaning
Another common problem that will leave you wondering how to repair a wood fence is leaning. There are several reasons why your fence is leaning, including weather conditions and soil erosion. Here is how you can repair it:
- The first thing you need to do is determine what caused your fence to lean. This will help you eliminate the issue so that a similar situation won’t happen in the future. If you’re not sure how to go about it or if you found the problem but don’t think that you can deal with it on your own, remember that you can always get in touch with a fencing professional to help you with it.
- The second step is to relieve the pressure on the fence, and if the need arises, remove any panels that might be in the way when you’re straightening it. Shovel around the post until it is loose enough to position it.
- Once the area around the post is dug out and you can move it freely, use a level to make sure that the post is straight. To keep it that way while you fill out the hole around it, use braces – place them at the top of the post and brace them against the ground at 45 degrees.
- Fill the hole you made with a mixture of wet sand and small gravel or with fast-setting concrete, in which case you should pour about a gallon of water on top. It should take about an hour for it to dry, but just to be safe, wait to re-attach the post to the rest of the fence for a few hours.
- Examine if any of the rails need to be changed. If they do, now’s the time to do it.
- After about 4 to 6 hours, you can reassemble the fence.
My Chain Link Fence Has a Damaged Fencing Fabric
If you have a chain link fence, you might find yourself in need of replacing a whole section of the dancing fabric. If that’s the case for you, here’s how you can fix it:
- Remove the ties that connect the fabric to the rails.
- Pick a wire on either side of the area that has been damaged. Use lineman’s pliers to untwist and remove it by twisting it counterclockwise.
- When buying a replacement for the damaged fabric, make sure that it is slightly bigger than the original one.
- Install the new fencing fabric by twisting the wire sections clockwise. Tie the top and the bottom of the piece you just replaced to the railings.
My Wrought Iron Fence Has a Break
Here’s how you can fix your wrought iron fence if its decorative sections are separated using an epoxy repair putty:
- Use a rust remover and a wire brush to clean off any rust.
- Prepare the putty according to the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Apply it to the joint and clamp the sections together using a C-clamp.
- If you use too much putty, make sure to wipe the excess while it still hasn’t dried. You will need to wait at least a day before you can remove the C-clamp holding it together.
Animals Are Digging Under My Fence
The best way to stop dogs, cats, and other animals from coming onto your property is by installing a physical barrier that will prevent them from digging further. It will make them unable to enter through the passage they have already dug.
There are two options here – you can either buy patio pavers or landscape timbers and place them along the bottom of your fence. Or you can purchase chicken wire or hardware cloth in an L-shape and bury it at the base of your fence.
How to Replace My Fence
If you’ve already tried everything possible to repair your fence, but it simply is too damaged, or the repair would cost you more than installing a new fence, then your only option is to replace it completely.
Truthfully, the best way to go around it is to hire a professional, especially if you don’t have much or any experience in doing such renovations. Not to mention that a new fence is not a small investment or something that you will be replacing in a year or two – instead, it is something that should last you for years to come, and that’s unfortunately not something you can say for every self-installed fence.
Bottom Line
As much as we would like it to, a fence is not something that will remain in a pristine condition for decades – it’s normal for it to experience wear and tear, and you might find yourself in a situation where you’ll be googling “how to repair a fence.” The methods we listed above are some of the most common issues fence owners experience, but, of course, they’re not the only ones.
Fixing a fence will look different depending on what exactly the issue is and what type of fence you have. If you search “how to fix a wooden fence,” you will see that the methods will be different than, for example, when you’re dealing with a wrought iron fence.
The best way to go about any renovation or replacement is to hire professionals who have years of experience dealing with similar matters.
If you live in Sacramento or in the greater Roseville area of California and need help with:
- installing a fence for the first time,
- completing a wooden fence replacement,
- fixing any broken, damaged, or leaning fence,
don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Thanks to years of experience in all things fence, we can provide you with the quality service you’re looking for.