Fences are an essential aspect of keeping your property and home safe. They also protect the ones we love, including our children and our pets. Fences keep out pests and ensure that your home has adequate privacy. Because they play such an essential role in caretaking for your home (on top of making your home more aesthetically pleasing), it isn’t surprising that over time they bear the brunt of all the work that they are doing.
Although fences are built to be durable and resilient, over time they may fall into disrepair or begin to suffer damage. No matter what material your fence is made of, you might begin to encounter some problems. Wood doesn’t last forever, it can rot or become warped as water seeps in. Vinyl fence panels can crack over time. Aluminum fence rails might bend. It’s normal for a fence to suffer damage over time. This article will outline some common problems homeowners might encounter with their fencing and provide tips on how to repair them.
Sagging fence panels
Sagging fence panels occur for many reasons. You may commonly see sagging panels because of improper installation, old age, or rot.
Luckily, sagging fence panels are a relatively easy problem to solve. To begin, locate the screws or nails that hold the panel in place. You may be able to identify the source of the problem directly and then focus your attention on that spot. Then, tighten the screws or nails that are holding the panel in place. Look to see if this action begins to level your fence panels. This may fix your problem right off the bat.
If tightening the screws doesn’t solve your problem off the bat, however, you’ll need to add additional support to the panel. First, locate the panels that will need reinforcement. Then, seek out materials like a fence brace or a post. You can choose from materials you already have or head to the store to find the perfect reinforcement for your fence. Find the right size and shape so that it won’t stand out too much.
Sometimes, even providing reinforcement isn’t enough to prevent a fence from sagging. In this scenario, you will have to instead replace the panel altogether. You can either do this yourself or hire someone with expertise to replace the panel. This can ensure that you have the right wood and shape for the fence, so that it doesn’t stand out too much. Often, new wood next to old wood will provide a noticeable difference. However, this will even out over time. It’s also better to have a strong, supportive fence with variation in coloring than a sagging fence that isn’t functional.
Broken Fence Posts
Broken fence posts can be a severe problem for the structural integrity of your fence. However, it’s a relatively common problem that can be fixed relatively easily. You fence posts may begin to break for several reasons, including rot or impact damage. Heavy rains or a lack of maintenance on your fence can cause it to rot over time. Impact damage might occur during a big storm or weather event, when a nearby tree crashes into your fence. These are normal occurrences—here’s how you fix it.
First, you’ll need to replace the broken post with a new one. In this instance, a broken fence post is not salvageable, because it has lost the structural integrity that it needs to hold up the whole fence. You will need to find a fence post that properly fits your fence and the depth that your fence requires in order to be sturdy. You may want to ask a professional for help determining this length and cutting it to size. You’ll want to match the look of the rest of you fence, so use it as a guide.
Next, use concrete to properly secure the new post in place. Again, you’ll want to take into consideration the depth of your post before cutting the post to size. You’ll also want to ensure that your hole matches your considerations for height. Use concrete to secure the new post in place, making sure that it is at the proper angle to support the fence. When working with concrete, you’ll want to prepare beforehand so that you can act while the concrete is wet. You don’t want to make mistakes during this step, because it will be difficult to correct them later.
Finally, install a fence post repair bracket to reinforce the post. This will ensure that the same thing doesn’t happen immediately afterwards. A fence post repair bracket will come in small quantities and is designed to reinforce your work. Follow the instructions for installation.
Leaning fence
A leaning fence never looks good. There are many causes of a leaning fence, some easier to fix than others. A leaning fence can be caused by soil erosion, which can be one of the more difficult problems to solve, because it may be connected to drainage, rain, or the slope of your land. It can also be caused by things like impact, which are easier to solve. You’ll generally be able to differentiate between the two pretty easily.
First, assess the problem. Observe the fence, and try to identify the cause of the lean. Check for rotting posts, bended metal, insect damage, or soil erosion. Once you have a grasp on what the problem might be, use a level to determine the extent of the lean and the necessary repairs. A level will give you a sense of how dire the lean is and what you might need to do to fix it.
If the lean isn’t too severe, you’ll want to use a fence post brace to straighten the fence. These are pretty straightforward, and can solve the problem fairly easily with a minor lean. Fence post braces are generally strong, bent pieces of metal that provide an extra support at the base of the fence. You can follow instructions on the box.
Unfortunately, if the lean is severe, it may be necessary to replace the entire fence post, or that section of fencing.
Fence Gap
Fence gaps occur when the posts or boards of a fence begin to pull away from one another, creating a gap. These gaps can be caused by ground movement, soil erosion, or rot. As always, assess the issue first with your eyes and determine how severe it is. From there, you can begin to take action.
First, fill the gap with wood filler or caulk. This can both obscure the hole and reinforce it, returning the fence both to its good looks and its functionality at once. Then, use a fence panel to cover the gap, so that you won’t be able to see the caulk. Use additional screws or nails to secure the fence panel in place.
Conclusion
Fences are strong, and while they stand firm, they are doing a lot of work to protect your home and remain upright against the elements. When common fence problems, like sagging fence panels, broken fence posts, leaning fences, or fence gaps occur, assess the problem. Then, you can begin solving it using the skills outlined above.
It’s also important to remember to regularly inspect and maintain fences to prevent issues in the future. Look for signs of rotting, impact damage, or any of the problems detailed above. Ensure that you have proper drainage, and that you’re cleaning your fence regularly to prevent buildup of natural materials like mud or leaves. These simple steps can help ensure that your fence stays sturdy for the long haul.
If you’re worried about something and aren’t sure how to fix it, reach out to a professional for advice or a second opinion. Don’t go beyond your comfort level, ask for help!
