A cracked or rotting fence plank or fence post does not have to mean the end of your fence. Repairs are generally easy if you’re if you’re dealing with privacy planks, though they can be harder if you’re looking at broken fence posts.
You’ll need the following items to fix your broken fence:
- Saw
- Hammer
- Prybar
- Cut-off wheel with attachment for power drill
- New plank
You’ll follow a simple six-step process to get the job done.
- Get behind the rail with the prybar. Use it to pry the rail and the bad board apart. You don’t need much space–you just need enough space for your cut-off wheel.
- Next, add the wheel to your drill.
- Use the cut-off wheel to split the nail that attaches the bad board to the rail.
- Remove the damaged plank.
- Cut the new plank to length using the old plank as a guide.
- Slip the new plank behind the rail.
- Hold the rail in place and nail it in.
Note how the repairman carefully avoids damaging the support rail itself.
If you need to repair your fence post you’ll need a longer list of items, including:
- Saw
- Repair spur
- Fence post
- Adjustable wrench
- Ratchet set
- A leveler
- A sledge hammer
Then, watch this video. Watch out, it’s a British video so it comes with British slang.
The “spanner” is the wrench. The “fencefast dolly” is a leveler.
Of course, if you don’t want to go through all of the hassles of repairing your fence yourself (or are afraid to mess up the rest of your fence) then you can simply call an experienced fence contractor. A contractor may be able to do the repair faster and it might also be more cost-effective than a DIY job. Mistakes could cost you your entire fence.
Whatever you do, however, do not leave a broken fence to sit without repairs for long periods of time. As the first video mentions this can create a domino effect which will ultimately tear down your entire fence.
Long before the fence comes down entirely it could begin leaning or sagging in an unsightly, dangerous way that could really tick off your neighbors.
If you’re not sure whether you can afford professional help, don’t worry. Call us and we’ll be happy to give you a free estimate, just as we’ve done for many homeowners in the Milwaukee metro area in the past!
