Repairing Fence Rails
About this project:
Fence rails are most likely to decay where they join the posts. Inspect them annually.
Rot is a fence's worst enemy and typically attacks bottom-rail joints first. If you catch decay early, you can saturate the damaged spot with a preservative, then mend it as shown below. If the rail has broken away, you'll have to replace it. Use treated lumber for your repairs.
To minimize rot around fences, make sure posts are set in concrete and cut back surrounding vegetation. Plants often keep areas moist and thereby contribute to the effects of moisture on wood.
Time: 30 to 60 minutes to fix a rail; additional time for painting.
Skills: Basic carpentry skills.
Tools: Hammer, nail set, caulking gun, screwdriver, chisel, saw.
Common Repairs
Using T-Braces
Chisel out rotted material. Secure rails to posts with steel T-braces, drilling pilot holes for screws.
Shoring up with 2x4s
Alternatively, shore up rails with short 2x4s butted tightly against the rail and fastened
to post with galvanized nails.
Sealing to prevent problems
At the rail/post joint, apply butyl caulk, which will remain flexible to deter rot. Paint the brace to match the fence.
Stabilizing Fence Posts
About this project:
Wobbly fence posts can often be braced but if allowed to decay, posts must be replaced.
Posts wobble because they weren't set properly or because moisture, freezing, and thawing have loosened their buried ends.
You can steady a wobbly post with stakes or splints, but if they have rotted away at ground level, you'll have to replace them. This is a big job, because the rails must be dismantled and reassembled.
To remove posts, rent a post puller or inch them out of the ground with a wrecking bar, using a piece of a 4x4 for leverage. Digging away the earth around the posts will make the job easier.
Double-check your measurements; enlarging the holes may have put spacing slightly off.
Time: 30 to 90 minutes per post.
Skills: Basic carpentry skills.
Tools: Hammer, drill, wrench, posthole digger, shovel, concrete tools.
Common Repairs
Securing with stakes
Shore up posts with 2x4 stakes. Bevel driving ends, apply a preservative, drive stakes, and bolt together.
Bracing with concrete
For a more permanent repair, enlarge postholes, pour concrete, and tamp. Brace posts while you work.
Mending with splints
Mend posts broken below ground with splints. Enlarge hole, position and bolt splints, and pour concrete.
Repairing rusted steel posts
To repair rusted pipe posts, cut old pipe and replace with new pipe, using a collar and bolts to secure the joint.
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