Repairing a fence can be daunting. Damage can range from simple sagging sections to extensive rust and insect infestation. Contact Fence Repair Summerville now!
It’s important to conduct regular inspections and address damage as soon as possible to avoid costly repairs. Here are a few tips to help keep your fence in good condition:
If your wooden fence boards are cracked, rotting or decayed, it’s important to take action as soon as possible. Failure to do so could result in further damage to the rest of the structure or even a dangerous collapse. The first step in repairing rotted wood is to remove the affected sections. Using a claw hammer or other similar tool, scrape away loose rot from the surface of the board. You may also be able to use the prongs of the hammer to pry out nails that have been embedded in the wood for a while. When a board has been fully removed, measure the size of the hole to determine how much lumber is needed to replace it. Ideally, the new board should span at least two joist spaces.
If the rot is due to wet rot, you’ll need to address the source of moisture that’s causing it. This can include fixing leaking pipes, preventing water seepage through walls and roofs, or improving ventilation to reduce humidity levels. Once you’ve eliminated the source of moisture, apply a wet rot wood hardener to the affected areas. Once the hardener is dry, you can sand the area to smooth it and make it ready for paint.
Dry rot is less common than wet rot, but it can still cause significant damage to the structure of your home or fence. It can be spotted by a discoloration that resembles mold or mildew, and it can also feel soft and spongey to the touch. When the rot is bad enough, you’ll need to replace the damaged boards with fresh timber.
The good news is that rotted wood can often be repaired by filling the hole with a soft wood polyester filler or epoxy. You can buy these products online or from local DIY stores, and they’re available in a range of colors to match your existing deck or home. The filler or epoxy is mixed according to the manufacturer’s instructions and sculpted into place with a plastic putty knife. Once it’s hardened, you can sand the surface to smooth it and then finish with an acrylic primer and two coats of exterior acrylic paint.
Loose or Broken Posts
Many factors can cause fence posts to loosen. Some common causes are wind and soil conditions, but even if you live in an area with moderate to low winds you may find that your fence posts lose their hold over time. If you walk along your fencing and you notice that your fence posts are leaning more than a couple inches in either direction then it is definitely time to make some repairs.
When a post loosens, it is usually because the concrete it was poured into has been compromised in some way. This could be due to a bad installation job, where the concrete was poured too shallow or the hole was not compacted correctly, or it can be caused by water problems where the ground has softened and the post cannot be supported by its own weight anymore.
If a post is loose, you can try to fix it by tamping the ground around the base. Sometimes this will help, but other times the damage may have gone too far and it will be necessary to remove the post. If this is the case you will need a heavy-duty sledge hammer and an angle grinder with a masonry blade attachment to break up the existing concrete and remove it from the ground. This will likely result in a yawning hole that will need to be repaired with fresh concrete as well.
Fence rails also tend to loosen over time, especially in areas that experience high winds or are prone to flooding. This is often caused by rot of the wood, but it can also be an issue with the fasteners that secure the rails to the posts.
You will need to remove the rails from the posts and replace them with new rails that are secured by metal post-rail connectors. Before you re-attach the rails to the posts, brush a little wood preservative onto the ends to arrest incipient rot and help prevent further damage from the elements. Once the rails are back in place you can fill in the gap with a bit of concrete to stabilize the repair and add extra strength to your fence.
Insect Infestation
While a bug infestation can be devastating, there are steps you can take to prevent it. First, always keep your roof and siding in good condition. If these are damaged, it will create a welcoming environment for insect pests to get a foothold on your property. If you notice any rotting shingles or wood, make sure you have these repaired right away before insects are able to set up nests.
Insect infestations can also be prevented by a regular yard maintenance schedule, including trimming back bushes, clearing away brush and debris, and cleaning out gutters. Pests are attracted to dark, secluded places where they can hide, so removing any potential hiding spots will help deter them from invading your home. In addition, keeping trash cans sealed and clean will also help keep pests away from your home.
You can also watch for the telltale signs of pests, such as gnawed or chewed wood, musty or foul smells, and discarded or uneaten food. Additionally, if you see your pet acting unusually around certain areas of your house, it could be a sign of fleas or cockroaches.
A pest infestation is defined as the influx, swarming or hatching of insects that have a negative impact on human and animal well-being and cause damage to crops, livestock, perishable goods or natural environments. However, damage to the natural environment caused by pests remains largely unreported and undervalued, as most of what is known about pest outbreaks comes from studies on the effects of post disaster needs assessment (PDNA) and not from rigorous research on ecological impacts (IRDR).
Prevention is key when it comes to dealing with insect infestations. Inspect your home regularly for any cracks or gaps that could serve as entry points for pests, and use caulk or weatherstripping to seal these up. In addition, a regular yard maintenance schedule can help deter bugs by keeping grass and shrubs neatly trimmed, and eliminating any rotting or decaying food sources, such as fallen fruit or veggies.
Rust
Rust is a natural process that occurs when iron or iron-containing materials (like steel) are exposed to moisture and oxygen for prolonged periods of time. This oxidation creates a chemical reaction that forms rust. If not addressed quickly, rust can lead to a variety of issues, including loose and falling sections of your fence. Fortunately, if you have a metal fence that is experiencing rust, the problem can usually be corrected with some simple maintenance and repair steps.
Before beginning any rust repairs, it is important to document the condition of your fence as it currently stands. It is also a good idea to take plenty of before, during and after pictures of the project as it unfolds. This will help you track your progress and may prove helpful if you are working with your homeowners association or other party who is responsible for maintaining the fence.
The first step in repairing a rusted fence is to scrub away any loose rust and peeling paint. If possible, this should be done manually with a wire brush and sandpaper. In more serious cases, a power tool might be needed. Once you have removed the majority of the rust, it is a good idea to neutralize the remaining metal with a chemical neutralizer. This can be purchased at your local hardware store or even made with a mixture of vinegar and lemon juice.
Once the fence has been cleaned and rust is either removed or neutralized, it should be primed with a primer that is specifically designed for metal surfaces. You should apply at least two coats to ensure full coverage and protection against future rust.
Depending on your fence and the severity of its rust problems, you might want to consider painting it with a rust-inhibiting color. This can provide a new, fresh appearance and help prevent further damage to the metal.
Finally, it is a good idea to visually inspect your fence several times a year to see if any new rust spots have appeared. If they do, it is a good idea to spot treat them immediately as the earlier the rust is treated, the less likely it is that it will cause structural damage or other issues.