Here in Canada, the snow really piles up, and everything outside is susceptible to wear and tear, including your fence. If your fence becomes damaged, there are a few repairs you can tackle yourself.
Wooden Fence Repairs
Wooden fences are charming, but they require frequent repairs. Over time, they can become unstable and are susceptible to rot.
Strengthening a Fence
If your fence has become loose, there are two ways to stabilize it:
- Add a horizontal rail between the existing top and bottom rails. This third rail will give the fence more support.
- You will need to replace a rail if it has rotted entirely. This repair is a little more time consuming because you must remove the fencing boards.
Replacing a Post
Wooden posts are susceptible to rot below the ground line. Replacing a post can be expensive, as you must remove the concrete footing. If the ground is frozen solid, this repair will have to wait for warmer weather. In the meantime, clear as much snow away from the fence as you can. Trim any overhanging trees because they could snap under the weight of heavy snow and add stress to your fence.
If your wooden fence posts have rot, it might be time to consider replacing the entire fence. Our PVC picket fences have the look of a wooden fence without the upkeep or maintenance. For homeowners looking for a certain aesthetic, we carry PVC fencing with latticework.
Metal Fence Repairs
Maintaining a metal fence is not as labour-intensive as a wooden fence, but they do still need repairs. The gate can become unaligned, or the fence can start to lean.
Realigning a Gate
A gate can take a beating, especially if it’s open and closed several times a day. If the gate is no longer shutting properly, you may need to readjust the hinge pins.
Straightening a Fence
Over time, a metal gate can start to lean. You can plumb the posts, but this will require breaking up and replacing the concrete footings. If the ground is frozen solid in your area, you will have to wait until it warms up to straighten the fence. Until then, you can reduce the stress on your fence by shovelling away any snow. Any tree branches hanging over your fence should be trimmed because they can break under the weight of heavy snow and damage your fence.
As with wooden fences, removing the concrete footings is no easy task. If you have multiple posts that need to be dug up, it might be time to replace the entire fence.
Upgrade to PVC Fencing
Even with regular maintenance and repairs, your wooden or metal fence will eventually need to be replaced. These materials are not meant to last forever. Replacing your fence now may save you money in the long run, versus the expense and hassle of frequent repairs. A PVC fence from Oasis Outdoor Products is the best fence for your property. Unlike wood and metal, our PVC fences are guaranteed to not rot or rust.
All of our PVC fences come with a transferable, limited lifetime warranty, which means that if you sell your property, the warranty can be transferred once, from you to the new property owner.
We understand that some homeowners take pride in doing their own work. For DIYers, we can sell our fencing directly to you. We provide detailed installation instructions and support. If you’d rather leave the work to someone else, we can arrange for professional installation.
If you’re ready to upgrade to PVC, call us today at 1-844-932-2680!
