Fences are made and built to last a long time. You shouldn’t be doing fixes often, but you may have to eventually repair a fence over time.
Here are some tips to consider when you are doing your own home improvements and fence repairs.
Identifying The Problems Or Issues
One of the first things you need to do when you are reviewing the status of your fence perimeter is to evaluate the trouble areas.
Depending on the type of damage or problem that you have, you may be able to do simple repairs, adjustments, or fixes.
For more serious problems, you may be required to repair and replace entire sections or might even have to consider rebuilding the fence itself.
The problems may vary from the cause, whether it was due to untimely weather and conditions or simply the old age of the materials that need to be replaced.
Knowing what the problem is will help you know how best to approach your home improvement strategy.
Locate The Utilities
When doing any renovations or repairs involving your yard, one thing to consider is the location of your utilities.
You might overlook this step if you already have an existing fence line, as you can assume the ground is safe to work with.
However, this mistake can result in thousands of dollars worth of damages or even harm or death to yourself or others working on your fences if you hit an electrical line.
Always be safe and know the layout of your utilities around your property.
Set Your Posts Deep
When installing fence posts, remember that the deeper you go, the stronger your fence will be.
If you install your posts too shallow, you risk them being pushed up as the weather changes and affects the soil.
This will then result in your fence line not being straight and looking like a roller coaster or the backdrop of a nature scene with its hills and valleys.
Keep your fence structure strong and straight with posts installed deep.
Leaning Fences And Fixing Posts
If your main issue with your fence is the fact that it is leaning, the good news is that you do not have to replace any part of it unless it is showing damage.
If it is leaning, you have to dig around the post until you reach the base, which should be concrete. If the post is damaged or rotted, you will need to replace it.
If you can dig around the previous post foundation, you can remove it altogether.
Otherwise, removing the top portion first, you can then dig around the concrete and remove it with leverage from the post itself.
Install a new post, and then fill it with concrete, ensuring the post does not move until the foundation is set.
Then you can top it with dirt and replant seeds and grass to restore the aesthetics of your yard.
For the dirt, you can utilize a tarp or wheelbarrow to help you move and maneuver it for later use to refill the hole again once completed.
Custom Build Your Fences
Some home improvement stores might provide you with precut fencing to install.
Although this can save you time, it is not ideal for all homes for a specific reason.
Not all properties are made the same, with their landscape being of varying heights.
Installing precut fences doesn’t consider these factors, whereas a custom-built fence will be able to adjust to the landscape, no matter its height and surroundings.
Additionally, your custom-built fence will look unique and stand out to your neighbors and visitors.
This is much better than a fence that you might see walking down the aisle of your local home improvement store.
Working In Ideal Weather Conditions
Depending on where you live, the weather conditions may be better suited for your repairs and renovations.
If you can, time your inspections and repairs for when the weather is clear and will not create an added obstacle that you have to deal with.
This is especially important for climates and regions with a wider range of seasons.
Summer is obviously the most ideal time to make any repairs, in the words of the pros from a Denver Colorado fence company as you avoid rain and snow.
However, some climates are not as forgiving, and you might need to do your fixes in conditions that are not to your liking.
If this is the case, it may be best to have professionals take care of your repairs, as they can properly prepare the area and keep it clear for the length of the renovations.
The risks of repairs on your own in alternative situations might be that you have to then go back and fix them again, as concrete may not be set, or moisture may get into different cracks and substances.
Repairing Lattice
One aspect of a fence that may require repairs would be the lattice.
The positive of this is that repairing the lattice can be done by simply replacing the section that has the damage.
You do not have to worry about the structure, base, or foundation and can simply fix these sections on your own.
Finish The Job With A Stain
A fence does not just provide utility to keep things in and out of your yard, it is also an aesthetic part of your home and property.
Not to mention, this addition can often be an expensive one. Staining your fence makes it look great, complete, and finished while ensuring that it lasts for many more years.
This staining process will help protect the wood from weather and moisture damage while keeping it looking new for a longer time.
It is good practice to do this regularly as the seasons change, as this small amount of time can prevent the frequency of repairs and replacements that need to be done.
Fence care is easy and can be done yourself. There are several different tips and tricks that you can use for both the first installation down to every repair that is done.
Doing things the right way will help your fence last longer and reduce the time you spend fixing problems that arise.
