Basic Fence Maintenance and Repair

A fence creates a private and safe area for your family to enjoy. But over the years you may have noticed that your fence requires a few fix-ups. Rot is usually the biggest problem for fence rails. Luckily, if you look out for decay and stop it from spreading, it's possible to deal with the problem without too much of a hassle.

Essentially, the best solution is to saturate the affected area with a preservative and mend it. Rails that have broken away will need to be replaced with treated lumber.

To avoid rot in the first place, set all the posts in concrete and cut away vegetation in the surrounding area. Because plants have a tendency to retain moisture and provide shade that reduces evaporation, any plants in the vicinity of fence posts will contribute more readily to moisture on the wood.

Step-by-Step

Remove rotting material with a chisel and use T-braces to secure the rails to the posts. Make sure you drill pilot holes for screws.

Shore up the rails with short 2x4s butted snugly against the rail. Fasten the 2x4s to the post with galvanized nails.

At this point you can apply a sealant so that future problems don't arise. Apply butyl caulk at the rail/post joint – the added flexibility means rot will be less likely to form. Lastly, paint the brace so it matches the fence.

Wobbly posts

Wobbly posts are another story. This usually occurs because the posts weren't set properly in the first place or because of moisture, freezing, and thawing that has loosened the buried ends.

Stakes or splints are a quick way to steady a wobbly post, but posts that have rotted away in the ground will have to be replaced. Unfortunately, this is a large undertaking, as the rails will have to be taken apart and put back together again in order to reach and replace the posts.

Removal involves the use of a post puller, but you can also yank them out of the ground with a wrecking bar, with a piece of 4x4 as leverage. To make the job go more smoothly, remove some of the earth around the posts.

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