All your outdoor items require a touch of tender loving care in order to continue looking their best – your garden fence is no different. With the unpredictable British weather lots of rain, (some) hot dry periods, and heavy Sheffield winds, soil, garden pests, rot and (of course) games of football can all play their part in shortening the life of a wooden fence.
How ever the different elements of a fence (panels, posts and rails) are not too difficult to take care of so you do not need to buy and replace an entire fence !!.
Consider safety first so:
- Get a helper
- Wear protective clothing gloves, eye protection and gloves
- If coming into contact with concrete or postcrete, thoroughly wash any exposed skin as soon as the job is complete
Wood Fence Panel Repair in 5 Easy Steps
- Using a crowbar gently ease the panel away from the post until the nails or screws are exposed, then cut through the nails or screws with a hacksaw or using a bolster and lump hammer snap the nail or screw. Carefully remove the fence panel…. remember the panel will be attached to the left and right side of the posts !!.
- Be careful of any protruding nails or screws hammer down any left in the post and panel. Alternatively, remove them using pliers or a claw hammer.
- Slated panels often known as overlap panels can be repaired by removing individual slats Just slide them out and replace with new ones. However If a whole new panel is required, perhaps its rotted or snapped in high winds and is not repairable you should measure the replacement so that it is exactly the same size as the original.
- Once you have a new panel mark out where the nails will secure the panel to the post and drill pilot holes to prevent the nails from splitting the wood. Alternatively, fence clips can be used.
- Support the replacement panel slightly above the ground do not let it sit on the ground, the panel will soak up water and rot quicker. Use a spirit level to ensure that the panel is level. Hammer the nails into the pilot holes or screw the panel directly into the post. When using fence clips, lift up the panel, slide it into position, and screw in the fence clips to secure the panel in place.
Wood Fence Post Repair in 5 Easy Steps
- Remove the fence panels from the posts – see above.
- Dig out the post and (if applicable) its concrete plug. Ensure the hole is a minimum of 450mm (for a 6ft fence). You maybe able to dig around the concret. With your helper use spades to prize out the concrete. Really tough situations use an electric breaker to break the concrete these can be hired fairly cheaply.
- Ensure the hole for the new post is 1.5 to 2ft deep. The new post should be 2ft taller than the fence panel, so a 6ft panel would need a 8ft post also, ensure the width of the new post is the same as the one you are replacing, usually the post is 3”x3”. Place the post into the hole and fix the panels back to the post.
- Fill the post hole with a concrete mix or for convenience use post mix. Use a trowel to smooth the surface downwards and away from the post to prevent rainwater collecting around the edge of the post. Remove the props once the concrete has set.
- Before the concrete or postmix is completely set check using a spirit level that the post is nice and straight.
There are many different types of fencing, concrete, mesh wire, wood, plastic!, at M&M Garden Services we can repair any type of fence if you are unsure why not give the experts a call on 07779330638 or 0114 3485221.
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