Sugar Land Fence Repair Guide
No homeowner enjoys a fence that is falling down or looking worse for the wear, but the fact is no fence can withstand Sugar Land climate and remain as new as the day it was built. The best time to consider having a fence repaired is not when it reaches that point but when the building process begins, thinking sooner rather than later will help you from burning unnecessary money later down the road. The first thing to consider when trying to secure your Sugar Land property is what type of material you should build your fence with. The majority of fences in Fort Bend are cedar or pine but there is also vinyl or chain link.
Fort Bend Chain Link Fences
Chain link fences are tough but still need to be routinely inspected and repaired. Most of the repairs are a relatively easy fix, this is the main reason Fort Bend businesses choose chain link to secure their property. The most common chain link repairs are the post and rails, they are notably weaker than say wood post. Wooden posts do rot but the metal post can also be damaged easily. Replacing the post should not be much of a struggle. The 2nd most common issue with chain link fences is snapped links, not surprising since it’s the main component of your fence. Broken links typically occur up top or near the post. Holes in links are another form of repair so I recommend keeping a simple link repair kit for these moments, they should provide all you need to fix the holes. If you cannot find the kit right chain link kit at the local Sugar Land hardware store the consider cutting out a small replacement section from wire mesh to patch the hole. The last tidbit of repairs is sagging, when there is a loose post the fence will begin to sag, fix things as you see them, do not procrastinate. My solution to sagging chain-link fences is to remove the loose post that caused the issue, pour a bag of concrete into the hole to establish a stronger foundation, and then use struts to secure the post. Ta-Dah your fence should be good as new to protect your Sugar Land property.
Wooden Fence Repairs- Sugar Land
The average lifecycle Cedar 25 years Pine 8 years
The first step to maintaining your Fort Bend fence is to walk the perimeter and look to see if your fence is straight, are there loose boards, wobbly posts, missing nails. how much money are you willing to invest to rekindle your love for your fence? My rule of thumb is if a fence needs more than 25 linear feet repaired it’s time to say goodbye and have a new fence built. Even though you may inspect your fence regularly chances are you will encounter one or more fence-related issues. Some of the most common issues us a leaning fence or loose panels. This is caused by adverse soil conditions, impact damage, and weak fence post. If you face Sugar Land high winds you may simply just need to return the post to its original position, soil issues contact a Fort Bend landscaper for a short-term solute put down stones or gravel in problem areas around your fence until you can call a professional.
Another damage is fallen tree limbs, replace the boards immediately. Another issue starts with not setting your post holes deep enough, setting post holes creates a solid foundation. Post always needs to be concreted in with a 50-pound bag of concrete per post. If you have a wobbly post because the post is broken or rotted replace it, if it's losing you can either splint it with a pair of stakes or pour a new concrete base, this is the better option.
The biggest threat to a wooden fence is wood rot and insect damages. Wet rot occurs because wooden fences are in contact with moisture due to rainfall or lawn sprinklers, as your fence succumbs to wet rot it can become soft and crack. Fungal growth may appear, and the wood may develop an odor. Dry rot occurs when your fence loses its natural oils in the wood, this is inevitable due to our wind and sun. As the protective oils fade your fence can become brittle and break easily. This is one reason choosing the right wood, not the cheapest is best, over time you get what you paid for.
Anytime you see rotted fence posts or boards replace them quickly. If rot is caused by a fungus, then it’s important to replace the wood to stop the spread from further destroying more of your fence.
Also, keep in mind pressure-treated wood is not totally resistant to water intrusion so any steps you can take to minimize exposure will help prolong the life of your fence. Start by adjusting the sprinkler system so that it does not get the wood wet which can lead to rot and moss growth. Trim the bushes and vines so they do not hang on your fence. The vines will keep the fence moist and lead to rot. Make sure the area around the fence has proper draining so water does not pool around the post. The soil at the base of each post should be firmly packed and slope away from the fence.
Three Simple Steps to Replace Fence Panel
1. Remove the cracked or damaged panel, a panel should be 8 feet in length. To remove it remove the screws or nails, if fastened to a horizontal beam use a pry bar to pop out the nails. You can also hammer the backside to expose a gap between the beams. Then use the pry bar to remove the damaged piece.
2. Take your tape measure and determine the length of the panel, replace pieces that must match up then use a skill saw to cut the desired length. One thing a DIY could do is cut two small pieces of wood equal to the distance between panels, position it exactly as you hold up the replacement panel, and use the circles as your guide. While holding the new panel against the beam put the two circles, one on each side between the new panel and adjacent panel. This will help you position the new panel correctly. Mark the beam with a pencil on either side of the new panel.
3. Use two screws or nails per beam to hold the panel to it, make a total of four fastening points. Hold the panel against the beam and get it vertically positioned by holding a small length of wood atop the panel. Keep in mind the pencil marks you made and then mark the panel insert beams. As you hold it into positions make four mall pilot holes using the screwdriver and a small drill bit, make sure to drill into the beam. With the holes drilled and the vertical and horizontal positioning correct, preset all four screws or nails into the panel just enough for the tip to protrude. Place the pane in the correct position, the tip of the screw should fit into the holes. Screw-in or hammer the top two screws halfway and do the same at the bottom. Once you are sure it is set properly tighten the screws completely.
Vinyl Repairs – Lifecycle 15 to 30 years
Most vinyl fences are durable and can sustain Sugar Land TX stormy season without damages or accidents, replacing fence sections or panels are costly but small projects such as holes and cracks are affordable. Generally using a kit cost about $40 and gives you the supplies a Fort Bend homeowner needs to do a sufficient job. To fix holes use plastic automotive body filler, the filler will not compromise your fence's integrity and the filler will adhere quickly if the surface is clean. It will also be far less expensive than replacing an entire panel. Another common repair is post sleeves, vinyl sleeves are hollow by design, sometimes you can slide these over 4X4 wooden posts for added stability and visual appeal. Depending on the damage you may need to replace, their low cost. For surface scratches or holes use a patch or kit
Depending on the extent of the damage, you may need to repair the sleeve, the wooden post, or both. Replacing the sleeve is a more common practice when considering the low cost of the part. The loose post you will want to reset, this may require concrete. The next thing I will share is how to repair holes, now this is not as effective but will still get the job done.
Three Simple Steps to Fix Vinyl Holes
1. Wipe away dirt using clean water and dawn dish soap, rinse and dry prior to sanding. Using medium grit sandpaper smooth the surface about 3 inches all around the hole you want to repair. Then take the foam and fill holes until the spray comes out of the hole, dry overnight.
2. The next morning remove the access foam with a coping saw, smooth the surface with the sandpaper and create a dent in the foam. Now wipe with a damp cloth. Now take a scraper to fill the hole with plastic filler and smooth. Take your sandpaper to smooth and keep the filler level with your fence's surface.
3. Wipe the area again and apply plastic spray paint
When in Doubt Call Your Sugar Land Fence Pro’s
If you have noticed that the fence projects are just too time-consuming or you need a helping hand then I encourage you to contact a skilled and knowledgeable fence contractor. While many larger fence companies do not want to be hassled with small repairs Emerson Home Enhancement started off doing small repairs over twenty years ago. We provide service across Fort Bend county so if you are in Sugar Land and would like to have us come out to give you a quote give us a call. 281-545-7740