As you are out enjoying your yard this summer or doing some general maintenance on your property, you may discover that your fencing needs a little TLC. Whether you discover a fence post that wiggles or any other problem, it’s important to complete fence post repairs as soon as possible. Otherwise, the fence post and the stability of your fence installation as a whole may become compromised, more expensive to fix and even dangerous to any people or pets on your property. Whether you have discovered a current problem or want to know what to do in the event of one, learn more about the fence post repair process below or simply contact an experienced fencing repair and replacement expert near you like Orange Fence for this service and many others.
Fence Post Repair Process
While it may be tempting to put a fence post that is only slightly loose or mildewy lower on the list of home improvement tasks, neglecting fence post repairs may cause greater problems (and more costly ones) in the long run. As shared at HomeGuide, fixing a leaning fence may cost substantially more than replacing a single post. The exact process of a fence post repair depends on factors such as the type of fence and the damage to the post. However, here are three common steps in doing fence post repairs:
- Determine the problem and its cause(s). Whether the fence post is crumbling or spongy, leaning or cracked, the time for fence post repair is now. In some cases, the damage may be more extensive than it may appear or the result of more than one cause. For example, posts that are leaning and cracked may stem from environmental conditions, soil erosion, insect damage, decay and more. Problems with the rest of the fencing structure, like broken rails or impacts from fallen branches, can also jeopardize the stability of the posts. Consequently, ensuring that the fence post itself and any other related issues are repaired in full requires a detailed evaluation as part of your fence restoration efforts. While DIY fence post repair may be possible for minor issues, more extensive or complicated fence post repairs may benefit from the involvement of an experienced and local fencing company.
- Be prepared to move or replace the post, as well as the concrete or other material in which the post has been set. Depending on the damage, the fence post installation may need to be reinforced, removed or replaced entirely. To illustrate, here are 3 common fence post problems and potential repairs:
– For a fence post that is leaning, using brackets or other braces may be enough to stabilize the post. In other scenarios, digging deeper holes and replacing the existing concrete base and the post may be the answer.
– If a vinyl fence post is cracked or a metal fence post is extremely bent, it will likely need to be replaced.
– Often, small holes in a post can be fixed, and mildew can be addressed with cleaning and the addition of water repellent sealing. However, rotten posts in wood fences (especially where there is major decay at the bottom of the post) will probably need to be replaced. - Perform additional maintenance to protect your new (or newly repaired) post. Applying protective coatings to fence posts is sometimes part of the fence post repair process or a necessary follow-up to a fence post replacement. For example, a fence repair for a rusty post may require cleaning, sanding, priming and painting. However, if the existing post had to be replaced, then you may want to take additional steps to prevent such issues with your new post, such as painting or adding a rust-resistant coating. Similarly, if the nearby trees or bushes caused damage to your fence post in the first place, then you may want to trim or remove them so they don’t interfere with the new post or any other part of your fence. Finally, a fence post alone may not fix your fence. Make sure to address any problems with gates, fence panels and more to ensure the stability and function of your fence and the longevity of any new or repaired fence posts.
For DIY fencing supplies, expert fence post repair and more, Orange Fence offers a wide range of fencing services as well as arbor and pergola installations and custom gate builds. From minor privacy fence post repairs to complete security fence installations, Orange Fence offers these services and more to Connecticut communities in areas such as Fairfield County and New Haven County. Contact us for your free estimate today!
