Is your wooden fence in need of repairs?
Though your wooden fence can enhance your curb appeal, it’s not resilient to weather. A wooden fence can last up to 15 years with good care. Finding out the affordable ways you can keep your fences up and sturdy is important.
Want to DIY repair your wooden fence? Read this article to start learning how to repair a wooden fence.
Is it Worth Fixing?
When it comes to starting any of your fence repairs, first consider if it is still worth fixing. Before you go on a home repair on your fences, inspect the entire thing.
When one of your fence’s posts is leaning too much, give the other posts a good shake to see if they’re also shaky. Rot is a wooden fence’s worst enemy. Fences without proper wood treatment upon installation can rot faster.
Even if your fences are not made from wood, make a proper fence inspection at least once a year. When the framework is unstable, or most of the wood is rotten, it’s best to opt for a replacement instead.
They would only cost more money and waste more time. You can check more about fence maintenance in the ultimate guide to fence repair near me.
Repairing the Rails
Fence rails or stringers are the wood between or across the posts. They are also often the place where you fix fence boards into.
When a fence rail got loose from one or more posts, the possibility of repair will depend on how rotted the joint is. You can salvage a minor broken fence rail by either using a 2×4 wood scrap or metal t-braces.
Ensure to saturate the damaged areas and the wood you’ll be using with a wood preservative. Doing this will keep the rot from spreading to other areas.
The next step in this process is to create a cleat that will support your rail.
Keep in mind to level your rail, and then secure a 2×4 underneath it. Waterproof then the top and sides of your repaired fence to keep it out from moisture.
If you opt for a T-brace for your fence rail repairs, better use galvanized steel T-braces. They are less noticeable and often last longer.
For steel T-braces, make sure you level the rails before drilling pilot holes into them and the posts. When you finish this, secure the steel to the rails using galvanized screws and caulk it to the joint.
Repairing the Sections
Fence sections or fence panels are the main part of any fence system. They create privacy within your place while blending into the outdoor environment. When your fence section needs repairs, dismantle them, and start rebuilding.
The first thing to do is cut 2×4 wooden rails to fit along the top of the posts. Your rails can extend from one post to another, or you call also do them in two sections. Measure and cut each wood one by one to get variations in the fence post spacing.
Then knock the ends of the rails together and nail them in place using galvanized common nails. Next, measure and cut another set of 2×4 for your bottom rails and secure them between each pair of posts.
When you’ve done this, begin measuring and cutting for the fence boards. Make sure each board has a uniform length. Starting from one end, nail the boards to one side of the rails and leave equal space to a single board’s width each.
Secure each board with galvanized nails. When your fence has boards on both sides, nail them up on one side first. After, you may start nailing alternate boards on the other side.
Repairing the Screening
Fence screenings are any screening materials that can hide your existing fence. They are a good option to hide your fence if you’re not into designs and they also give a better level of privacy.
It will only take a couple of hours and basic carpentry skills to do this fence replacement.
Measure the unbroken piece of screening for the new pieces you’ll need. You can use lumber or rip boards. Get them in the proper width using a handsaw or a power saw.
When placing pickets or any curve-top screenings, cut the board against an unbroken picket. You can cut them using a saber or a keyhole saw. Paint the replacements with quality exterior primers or stain if you have natural wood fences.
Remove the broken pieces and align the new screenings to the rails and nail them in place.
How to Repair Posts
Fence posts are an integral part of any fence system. They act as the main support of your fences. When any of these posts begin to wobble, it is best that you find out what causes them before doing any fence repairs.
You can fix a rotten or broken post using a pair of splints or change it into a newer one. This will, however, depend on the severity of the damage.
People often experience their fence posts coming loose in its hole. The best repair solution for this is to steady the post with a pair of stakes or put a new concrete base.
When you decide to stake your fence post, the first thing you need is to get a pair of 2×4 in your local lumber yard. They should be long enough to reach below the frost line and extend to at least 18 inches above the ground.
It’s better that you use cedar or clear all-heart redwood. Bevel cut each end of the 2×4 before pushing them into the ground on either side of your post. Drill a pair of holes in the wood and the post before bolting them together with galvanized carriage bolts.
A Definitive Guide On How to Repair a Wooden Fence
Before doing any type of repairs on your fences, checking if most of it is still salvageable is important. This will help you avoid wasting effort, time, and money. When you do need to make repairs, inspect which part of your fence needs fixing.
Now you know how to repair a wooden fence. Interested in more posts like this? Check more of our blog posts to discover new, fresh content.
