A Guide to Wood Fence Repair from Cincinnati Fence Co

Homeowners often prefer wood privacy fencing over chain link or aluminum because a wood fence has the added advantage of looking elegant, natural, and beautiful. It blends perfectly with the external decor of your house or property. It doesn't have a solid base supporting it like a wall. 

A wood fence has many different parts that all need to be maintained during its life. They can also be built from various woods, depending on the design and functionality of the fence. Although there are many different types of wood fences, they all share a few parts, namely:

• Posts
• Nails/Screws 
• Rails
• Caps
• Pickets

Types of Wood Used for Fencing

Many varieties of wood can be used for building fences, with each variety having its own distinctive features. The following are the most commonly used woods for constructing fences.

1. Fir Wood: It has high strength and is easy to work with. It is mostly found in the mountainous regions of North and Central America, Europe, and parts of North Africa and Asia. It is easy to machine and can be used to make turns and shapes quite easily. It is used to make plywood, lumber, piles, and other wood composites. It also bonds quite well with commonly used adhesives. Firwood is quite expensive, but its high durability justifies that.
2. Redwood: It is indigenous to the North American continent and is commonly found in the eastern and central parts of the United States as well as parts of the south-east and south-central Canada. It is a type of hardwood with a high strength to weight ratio and can thus withstand a lot of pressure. It is also quite dense and shrinks quite a bit when dried. It can also be bent into other shapes under steam, which is ideal for designing and building furniture and fences.
3. Cedar Wood: Cedar is a durable and fragrant wood. It contains natural oils that act as a natural deterrent to wood rot. If maintained properly, a cedar privacy fence can last for many years.

Types of Wood Fences

There are many different wood fences in the market. Each type of fence has its own purpose. Some are purely decorative, whilst others are used to set boundaries or offer privacy. The following are some of the most common types of wood fences that Cincinnati Fence Co works on.

Wood Picket Fence

These fences are usually about 4 feet tall. It has evenly spaced pointed or decorative pickets. It is perfect for gardens and front yards of houses.

Split Rail Fence

This is quite inexpensive and is generally used for enclosing livestock but can also be used in suburban settings. It is relatively easy to construct and is also generally 4 feet tall. This is ideal for large enclosing fields. Some homeowners who install a split rail fence will also attach steel mesh or chicken wire to help keep small pets in their yard.

Wood Lattice Fence

This type of fence has thin flat strips of wood overlapped in a crisscrossed manner to give it a more stylish look. These are usually 5 feet or taller. You can grow vine-like plants such as morning glories or clematis to help offer more privacy. Wood lattice fencing is typically used in gardens, patios, pools, and around decks.

Types of Wood Fence Repairs

Wood fences require maintenance occasionally to increase their lifespan. The following are the most common parts of wood fences that require maintenance or repair. This will ensure that your fence lasts for many years to come.

• Repairing the Fence Rails: Use a wood preservative. Firmly attach 2x4 cleats beneath the rails whilst making sure that the rails are level. Then use steel braces to ensure that the rails are steady.
• Repairing the Fence Sections: Remove the panels which need to be replaced using a hammer or a pry tool. The repair procedure is similar to that of repairing screening. Make sure that the sections are correctly aligned and level.
• Repairing the Fence Screening: First, remove the broken wooden fragments, then measure the width of the boards that need to be installed properly. Finally, align the boards properly and use nails to set them in place.
• Repairing the Fence Posts: First, remove the old post, then dig a new hole for the new post. Scrape the hole to ensure that the post remains firm once it is placed. Finally, place the post firmly in the newly dug hole and ensure that it is level to bring the fence post vertical. If you don't own a post hole digger, you can usually rent one from a local hardware store.
• Repairing the Fence Gates: The most common repair issue with gates is that they sag and slant. To fix this issue, replacing the hinges can sometimes work. If the gate is very weak and beginning to rot, then the entire gate may need to be replaced or rebuilt. If the gate has algae, then clean it thoroughly with a pressure washer and apply a wood preservative.

When to Repair a Wooden Fence

It becomes obvious after a certain point in time when a repair may be necessary. The following are some of the signs which indicate the perfect time to start repairing your wooden fence.

Rotting

It's one thing to have a rotten board, but if your fence is deteriorating in general, you should consider replacing it. You'll notice rot in the portions of the fence closest to the ground if you have a wooden fence. As a result of the prolonged exposure to moisture, the boards here deteriorate more quickly. Routine care and a preservative application can help keep wood from rotting. Keeping vegetation and other organic materials off of the fence is a good way to help prevent wood rot. Fence posts and boards should be replaced when they show signs of generalized rot or if they begin to lean.

Leaning

Your fence may begin to tilt to one side if it is exposed to strong winds, heavy rain, or changing earth. After many years of service, your fence's general structure may weaken, which is understandable. A few fence posts may be all that is needed to fix a fence that is slightly leaning in one part. Leaning across the fence, in general, is often an indication of irreparable harm.

Broken or missing boards

Changing a single board that's divided or missing is simple. Boards that are split or warped will not only look bad on your fence, but they may also cause structural issues. After years of exposure to the sun and weather, even the greatest wood tends to fracture and break. Another factor that consistently destroys perfectly acceptable boards is the freeze-and-thaw cycle that we know oh so well here in southern Ohio.

Loose or missing fasteners

Your fence fasteners, such as screws and nails, might come loose or even fall out over time. A new screw or nail can be installed, but over time, the wood may not be able to handle the additional stress. It's pointless to keep trying to fix a fence that's become shaky owing to missing or loose screws. Because the fence's structure has been damaged, replacing fasteners in rotting wood won't work.

Fence Maintenance Frequently Asked Questions