Fence Repairs 101

Although it’s currently summertime, winter will be here before we know it! Your fence is bound to see some minor damages and may need a little attention once the cold breaks. With the ground freezing and thawing over and over, your posts may have shifted, boards may have come loose, and the surface of your fence may need some TLC. Most homeowners who have installed a fence the spring before starting to panic, thinking their fence is falling and they’re calling their contractors in a rage. However, this is perfectly normal and is a simple task you will have to take on at the beginning of a new season. If you think about it- your fence is exposed to hard temperatures, ground changes, wind, snow, and moisture which can cause your fence to have some imperfections. You might not know where to start, which is why we are here bringing you this 101 on fence repairs. 

101 Tip #1: Clean It Up

First and foremost, before you do anything you will want to clean up your outdoor space so you have a clean workspace. This could mean anything from picking up loose branches that have fallen, raking up leaves, and removing any debris from the harsh weather. You also want to remove any snow if there is any left at the base of your fence. This way you can get a full view of what your fence may need in terms of maintenance. 

101 Tip #2: Do a Walk-Through 

Once your space is clean and you can easily see the full space, you want to do a walkthrough of your outdoor space and decide what you think needs touch up. First off, do a quick look at your space and see if you notice anything major like broken or loose boards and any major imperfections in the landscaping of your space. Make a list of the major repairs that you might want to fix right away, and then make a list of the smaller less important improvements. This could be anything from small chips of paint or stain, rusty nails you want to change out, and so on. 

101 Tip #3: ReStyle 

Now, maybe your fence doesn’t need much maintenance but you want to restyle it and update its looks. You can do this in a few different ways. Obviously you can paint or stain your fence to match whatever color you think best goes with your style. You can also add some décor items like hanging lights, tikis, or even some landscaping pieces like potted flowers or plants to enhance the overall look. There is really no limit on this, you can get as creative as you want.

101 Tip #4: Reinstall Your Fence 

If your fence is in need of some serious TLC or maybe you just don’t like the look of it anymore, you can reinstall a fence of the same style or of a different one depending on what you want. It’s easy to swap out some pickets, rails, or posts without issue however you may come across some obstacles if you are changing styles of fences. For example, if you go from privacy to split rail you may have to work with a contractor to remove your old fence and install the new one. All in all, it’s possible!

101 Tip #5: Don’t Already Have A Fence? 

If you don’t already have a fence but are wanting to do something different with your outdoor space, a fence is a great place to start. You can add security, privacy, and design all in one swoop just by adding a fence of any style to your home. There is a lot of value that comes with installing a fence and a lot of steps that play into it. So, if you are interested in installing a fence, don’t hesitate to reach out and talk with one of our fencing specialists or check out our blog page! We have tons of informative content and inspiration for how to style your backyard space with or without a fence. We are always here to help and would love to help you start the process of building a fence today!