DIY Fence Repair: From Loose Boards to Sagging Gates

DIY Fence Repair: From Loose Boards to Sagging Gates

If you’re a new homeowner, you might be shocked to discover the cost of certain repair services. Fence repairs and the cost of lumber are often things that you might think are cheap and quick to fix, only to discover that repair companies will charge thousands for these services.

Providing your own DIY repair around your home may save you expensive bills and, at the same time, increase your confidence in your abilities.

Head to Shop-O-Rama for all the necessary supplies and tools to repair your fence, from loose or rotting boards to sagging gates and squeaky hinges.

Materials and Tools Needed

• Expanding foam
• Shovel
• Post hole digger
• Level
• Measuring tape
• Board for supporting post
• Exterior wood screws
• Replacement fence posts
• Wood filler
• Putty knife
• Paint or stain

How to Successfully Repair a Wood Fence

Repair Loose Boards

Boards and pickets can become loose in your fence line because of weather, physical impact, or standard wear and tear.

Step 1 - Inspect the boards

Check that the boards are not rotten or broken. If they are, you will need to remove the leftover nails or screws to remove the board entirely.

Step 2 - Replace and secure the board

Using the same undamaged board or a new board, secure it to the rest of the posts using screws or nails, making sure that the board is in alignment with the rest of the fence.

Step 3 - Match the paint or stain

Using the same paint or stain on the rest of the fence, apply the color to the new beam so it blends in.

Fix a Leaning Fence

If your wooden fence begins leaning toward your yard, you will want to address the issue before the problem becomes worse or damages the wood.

A leaning fence often indicates an issue with the support beams. The first step will be to inspect the ground around the supporting beams to determine the cause of the lean.

The ground may be too soft to support the weight of the fence. In this case, you can use 2x4s to support it while you remove the support beams.

Step 1 - Support the fence using 2x4s

Use wood beams or planks to support the weight of the fence between the ground.

Step 2 - Fix the ground

Add expanding foam, if needed, in the fence post spot to ensure that the ground is sturdy enough to support your fence. If the wind knocked it over, use a shovel to pack the dirt.

Step 3 - Insert the support beam

Now that the earth is solid enough to support the weight of the fence, you will need to push the beam back down into the ground. You can use a rubber mallet to ensure that the beam is pushed far enough into the ground.

Step 4 - Screw or nail the boards together

When the support beam is doing its job correctly, you can use screws or nails to secure the rest of the beams to the support posts to secure the entire fence together.

Fix a Sagging Gate

A sagging gate can make your yard look disheveled and in disrepair. Common reasons for a sagging gate are frequent use, physical harm, or wind pushing down the fence.

Be sure to fix a sagging gate door as soon as the problem arises.

Step 1 - Check to see where the sagging begins

The gate on your wooden fence can be sagging for several reasons. The fence posts on either side can be loose in the ground, causing the door to drag down. Another common issue is the screws becoming loose in the hinges.

Step 2 - Secure the fence posts and tighten the screws

Check to see if the fence posts going into the ground need any additional support in the form of expanding foam. Then, tighten all the screws around the gate and on the hinges.

Fix a Hole in a Wooden Fence

Holes can arise in a wooden fence due to animal behaviour, rotting wood, or an accident from kids playing.

Too many holes in a fence can cause a lack of privacy in your yard, creating negative interactions with your neighbors.

Fill small holes with wood filler purchased from the hardware store. Be sure to buy a petroleum-based wood filler instead of a water-based filler due to the increased strength in outdoor settings.

Simply use the putty knife to press the wood filler into the holes.

For larger holes, replace the boards in the fence.

Many fence issues can be repaired at home. Shop-O-Rama is ready to help assist your DIY projects to get your fence back to sturdy shape.