Fence repair probably isn’t something you’re prepared to do without experience, but it’s not as difficult as it sounds.
A good fence should last between 10-30 years, depending on the materials, level of maintenance, and who installed it. To keep your fence upright for longer, you may have to perform your own fence repair from time to time.
In today’s post, we’ll tell you how to replace a fence post and outline some fence maintenance tips crucial to your fence’s longevity. Keep reading and maintain your fence with ease from now on.
Reasons for Fence Post-Replacement
As mentioned, a newly installed fence should give you well over a decade of use, but it depends on the material. For wood and vinyl fences, the most common needs for replacement are rot and damage, respectively.
If the fence post is broken, it puts the whole structure of the fence at risk. Not only does it create a security problem for your home, but the fence itself could collapse and hurt someone.
You should act fast when you notice a damaged fence post. Unless you’ve got experience mending fences, you should always call for professional fence repair. For those in Boise, you can count on Certified Fencing for all of your fence repair needs.
Tools for Fence Repair
Taking the DIY approach to fence repair can save you money, but only if you know what you’re doing. If you don’t, it’ll be easy to cause further damage to the fence.
The first step is having the necessary tools to repair your fence. For a simple repair, you’ll just need a shovel, sledgehammer, gloves, aggregate, measuring tape, screws, brackets, and a level.
Taking Out the Broken Post
Before you attempt to remove the broken post from the hole, you must detach the fence from the post. With wooden fences, simply use the back of a hammer to dislodge the nails and pull the crossbeams off. A chain fence will require you to remove fasteners and tension bands.
If you’re fortunate, the fence post will come right out. Most of the time, you’ll have a footing on the fence post to help you with leverage. Failing that, use your shovel to dig a semi-circle around the footing. From there, you can rock the post until it dislodges, then you’ll be able to remove it.
Putting the New Post In
Once the old post is out, you should be left with a hole in the ground. Start by pouring some aggregate into the hole, which will help with drainage so that the new post doesn’t rot too quickly.
Set the pole in the center of the hole and use a level to ensure that it’s straight. Fill the hole with concrete and reconnect the rest of the fence.
Learning How to Replace a Fence Post
Learning how to replace a fence post isn’t rocket science, but if you’ve never done it before, it’s best to hire a professional to handle it for you. For those in Boise, Certified Fencing is your source for fence repair and replacement.
To have one of our experienced professionals fix your fence post, don’t hesitate to contact us today to schedule your service.