How to repair a wooden fence

If your garden fence is damaged, then it’s best to repair it as quickly as possible. Leaning and sagging fence panels, or a fence post which has worked loose, can easily bring down the rest of the fence if left unattended.

Fencing decay and damage usually originates with timber which hasn’t been properly treated, which in turn leads to the wood rotting more quickly in the ground. In addition, fence posts which haven’t been properly set in concrete are more likely to work loose over time.

Another common reason for fence damage is when large bushes and trees push against the fence or loosen the foundations via their root systems.

Steps

1. Removing a damaged fence panel

2. Replacing a fence post

3. Repairing an arris rail

4. Repairing a sagging gate

Any damaged sections of your fence, such as a wobbly post or a broken panel, need repairing or replacing promptly. Removing a damaged fence panel is straightforward if it’s attached to posts using fence clips. But most wooden fence panels have been attached using nails.

• Use a crowbar to carefully lever the panel away from the post. Work from the top of the panel downwards.

• Once the old nails are exposed you can saw through them with a hacksaw to detach the panel.

• Either hammer any protruding nails back into the panel or remove them with pliers or a claw hammer.

• Using a hacksaw to saw through nails is a good way to remove a panel that you want to keep, as it minimises damage to the fence panel.

If you’re replacing a fence panel it’s easier to use fence clips rather than nails to secure the new replacement fencing to the post. Screw in the fence clips at equal distances from the top and bottom of the post.

A wooden fence post will wobble if the post hole is too small, or if the concrete plug is too small and hasn’t set properly.

• Dig out the base of the fence post to expose the concrete.

• Carefully lift out the fence post and any loose pieces of concrete. You might need someone to help you with this step.

• Check your post hole is deep enough. If the hole is too shallow, then the post won’t be secure. Before replacing a fence post, make sure the hole is at least 450mm deep.

Make sure your new fence post will be properly positioned by running two plumb lines along the fence.

• Run one plumb line along the top of the existing fence posts so you can gauge the correct height of the new post.

• Run another plumb line along the base of the fence to make sure your new post is correctly aligned.

Once you’ve positioned your fence post, use a spirit level to check that it’s level horizontally and vertically. You will also need to attach wooden props to support its position whilst you add new concrete into the post hole.

For detailed instructions on how to put up a fence post, check out our guide 'How to put up a fence'.

Make sure that any new timber is properly treated with wood preservative to prevent further rotting over time.

An arris rail runs horizontally across the back of wooden fence panels and is most often damaged in strong winds. Not all fence panels come with arris rails, so you can use a rail to fix and strengthen a damaged panel.

Arris rails usually break either close to the posts or in the middle of the fence panel. It’s quite straightforward to reinforce a damaged arris rail by screwing a specially fitted metal bracket into the rail using 50mm exterior grade screws.

To provide maximum stability, use two brackets per rail per panel. Place the brackets at the ends of the arris rail, close to the posts. If necessary, use another bracket in the middle of the rail, wherever the break is.

Wooden gates can also bow due to damage. It’s important to assess whether the gate needs repairing or replacing. If the gate posts are secure, then you should be able to make quick and easy repairs using a specialist gate fitting kit, which normally includes brackets, hinges, and fittings.

Required skills

Repairing a wooden fence requires moderate DIY skills:

• Assess damage competently and plan repairs.

• Digging ground to accurate measurements and a level finish.

• Comfortable with mixing and pouring concrete.

Time required

Up to one day, depending on the extent of repairs required

Number of people required

1 person for simple repairs; 2 people if you need to move fence panels

Tools and equipment

• Crowbar

• Hacksaw

• Claw hammer

• Fence clips

• Pliers

• Spade

• Builder's line or string

• Spirit level

• Exterior grade screws

• Power drill and/or screwdriver

• New fence panels

• New wood fence posts

• New arris rails

• Wood preservative

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

• Safety goggles

• Protective gloves

• Safety shoes

Please note: this is a non-exhaustive list; Be sure to match your personal protective equipment to the job at hand.