How to Fix Worn Out Residential Fences
If you need to repair an old, worn out fence, you will first have to decide which pieces are damaged. It is best to only remove and replace one piece at a time, so your entire fence doesn't collapse. Have all the replacement, boards, posts, nails, and hinges on hand before beginning the repair. A few tools will also be necessary, such as a hammer, saw, measuring tape, and level.
Wooden Fence Repair
When repairing your worn out fence, you will first need to determine which parts are in need of repair or replacing. You will want to repair any rotted wood, rusty hinges, or broken boards.
Items needed:
- Claw hammer
- Level
- Saw
- Measuring tape
- Pencil
- Nails
- Replacement parts, i.e. hinge, post, lumber
- Paint and paintbrush
To replace a rotten post on a wooden fence:
1. Remove any boards attached to the post.
2. Dig up the rotten post.
3. Insert the new post into the existing hole. Use pressure treated wood, if possible.
4. Fill in the hole around the post, keeping the post straight. Use a tamper to tightly pack the soil around the new post. Do not let the post lean or move from the correct spot while doing this.
5. Cut the top of the post off to the proper height.
6. Re-attach the boards to the new post.
To replace a broken board on a wooden fence:
1. Remove the broken board by using a hammer on the reverse side of the board, or prying the nails out with the claw of a hammer.
2. Measure the distance between the two posts where the new board will go.
3. Measure and cut the new board to the correct length.
4. Nail the new board to the existing posts.
5. Paint or stain accordingly.
Chain-link Fence Repair
It is very difficult to do repairs on chain-link fences and posts, due to keeping correct tension on the fence. If this is the type of fence you have, you should consider replacing the entire section instead of trying to repair the broken area.
Items needed:
- Adjustable wrench
- Saw
- Pliers
- Rope
- Another person
- Materials to repair fence, i.e. nuts, bolts, clamps, hinges, wire, post, etc.
To Repair the Top Rail:
1. Use your saw to cut the damaged rail into several smaller sections.
2. Remove the smaller pieces of the damamged rail from the top of the chain-link fence.
3. Once smaller sections are removed, compare diameter of old rail to that of replacement rail to ensure they are the same.
4. Measure the distance between the ends of the existing top rail. This is how long your replacement rail needs to be.
5. Measure and cut your replacement rail to the proper length.
6. Weave the new piece of rail through the top of the woven fencing fabric.
7. Attach new piece of rail to existing rail using couplings purchased from the hardware store.
To Repair A Hole in the Chain-Link Fence:
1. Using pliers, remove the broken links and one link on either side of the hole, all the way from the top of the fence to the bottom of the fence.
2. Attach replacement fencing patch (sold at the hardware store) on one side of the hole by rethreading the links together and twisting them closed with pliers.
3. Weave a piece of heavy rope through replacement fencing and through existing fencing. Have another person pull on it (or use a come-a-long) to keep correct tension on the fence while attaching the links on the other side of the replacement fence patch.
To Replace a Post in a Chain-Link Fence:
1. Using an adjustable wrench, loosen clamps that attach the woven fabric of the fence to the pole.
2. Remove the top cap on the pole and any hardware that is attached to the pole, such as brace bands, tension bands, or hinges.
3. If the hardware is still in good condition, save it to use on the new pole. If it is rusted or broken, make sure you have new hardware to replace it with.
4. Dig up the broken post with shovel. Do not leave any broken pieces of it in the ground.
5. Insert new pole into the ground.
6. Mix cement according to instructions on the bag.
7. Fill in hole around post with cement, keeping post straight and plumb.
8. Wait at least 24 hours before re-installing hardware on the post. Be sure to re-install hardware in the order you removed it, so that all pieces will correctly line up. Another person may have to help, to keep tension on the fence while you are installing the hardware.