When a fence is in disrepair, it can destroy a home's curb appeal. If your fence needs to be fixed, you can do it yourself. Repairing fencing is not too difficult if you follow the necessary steps and use the right tools. Learn more about repairing fencing made out of:
* Wood
* Metal
* Vinyl.
Repairing a Wood Fence
There are two main problems with wood fences that require repairing fencing methods. These problems are:
* Weak Rails
* Weak Posts.
If you notice a weak rail, you must first figure out whether it needs to be replaced or repaired. When repairing fencing rails, you can use galvanized nails to attach a 2x4 underneath the damaged rail. Be sure to measure each rail in order to prevent inconsistencies on the fence.
You can also splint or support a weak wood post. Take two 2x4s and hammer them to each side of the weak area. If the looseness has occurred in the hole, drive stakes on the sides of the hole in order to tighten the post's position. If all else fails, simply add more concrete to the post hole.
Repairing a Metal Fence
When it comes to metal fences, repairing fencing is usually necessary when:
* Posts Need to Be Realigned
* Rust Must Be Removed.
Realigning a metal post is tricky because it is secured with concrete. You must dig around the concrete and then, bust the concrete using a sledgehammer. After you readjust the post's position, keep it propped with a heavy object while you mix the concrete. The concrete must set for 48 hours before you can remove the supporting object.
There are times when a buildup of rust and dirt detracts from the look of a fence. Before repairing fencing made of metal, you will need to clean the surface with soapy water. The rust can be scrapped away with a wire brush. In the off-chance all the rust will not come off with a brush, you can take this as an indication that the fence should be replaced.
Repairing a Vinyl Fence
The two biggest plagues of a vinyl fence are:
* Leaning Fence Posts
* Posts With Holes.
When a vinyl fence post is leaning, repairing fencing is easy. The post can be braced with a 2x4 board that is 2-3 feet long. The brace should be placed on the side that is leaning toward the grown. Remove dirt from the opposite side where the brace is located and put this dirt where the support is in the ground. Pack the dirt and remove the support.
If there is a hole in your vinyl fence post, the surrounding area will need to be sanded. Add a quick shot of expanding insulation foam into the hole. After the foam has dried overnight, the excess can be removed with a hacksaw so the foam's surface is flush with the post's surface. Sand the foam and apply plastic body filler with a putty knife. This filler takes one hour to dry. Then, it can be spray painted to match the fence.