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Wood fences need the occasional repair to keep them in good condition.
Rotting, sagging, and leaning are just a few of the problems thatwood fencesexperience.
Wooden fence repair is made easier with helpful gadgets like fence menders and post caps that simplify the process.
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Split or cracked fence post tops encourage even more damage by pooling the rain or snow.
A rotted fence post top with damage in the center can be fixed by adding a fence post cap.
A plastic, metal, or wood post cap covers the entire top of the post.
Much like a roof, the cap is slanted to prevent water from accumulating.
A partially leaning fence can become so unstable that it pulls down the rest of the fence.
A broken fence post is often the reason the fence is leaning.
Water or snow can cause the fence post to rot at the ground level.
Wedge the fence post mender between the fence post and the concrete footer.
Pound the post mender down about one foot with a sledgehammer.
Complete the repair by connecting the mender to the post with galvanized hex-head screws.
This issue cannot be fixed with a fence post mender.
Dig out the soil on the side that had been tilting.
Finish by filling the soil void with concrete.
Replacing a single wooden fence post is possible without taking down the entire fence.
The fence stringers or rails are first detached on both sides of the fence post.
Then, the old fence post is removed.
It’s usually necessary todig a new holefor the new post.
Fix a wooden gate that is saggingon its hinges by tightening the screws on the hinges.
If the screw holes will no longer grip the screws, replace the screws with longer screws.
You usually don’t even need to remove the gate.
If the fence board is still in good shape, it can be nailed back into place.
Otherwise, purchase a new wood fence board and use that as a replacement.
Not only that but boards in pre-built panels fit into upper and lower slots.
Pre-built panels should be replaced one for one; repairing or replacing individual parts is difficult.
First, the current fence panel is knocked out.
Care should be taken to keep the fence posts intact.
As long as the posts have not shifted, the next fence panel should be between them.
Replace Sagging Fence Stringers
Stringers are the horizontal rails that hold the fence boards in place.
While not a safety issue, sagging fence stringers also translate to sagging fence boards.
So, to improve the look of your fence, replace the stringers.
Stringers in pre-built fence panels usually cannot be replaced, so the entire panel will need replacement.
Stringers onscratch-built fencescan be replaced.
After removing the fence boards, pry the stringers loose from the metal fence rail brackets.
If the brackets become damaged when removing the stringers, replace with new brackets.
Then, add new stringers (do not use the old stringers upside-down) and attach the fence boards.
Fix a Hole in a Wooden Fence
An occasional hole in a wooden fence is normal.
But if there are too many holes or they are placed at eye level,privacyis lost.
It’s often best to simply replace the fence board with one that doesn’t have holes.
Or you’re able to move boards around, replacing boards that have holes with solid boards.
Holes up to 3/8-inch in diameter can be filled withwood filler.
Use a petroleum-basedwood fillerrather than a water-based filler for greater strength.
Press the wood filler into the hole with a putty knife, then sand smooth.
The wood fence should first bepressure washedto remove dirt, moss, and mold and mildew.
Let the wood completely dry.
Use an exterior-ratedoil-based wood stain and sealantcombination.
For large areas, apply the stain/sealant with a paint sprayer.
One gallon covers about 125 square feet.
