You’ve spotted a fence issue: a loose board, perhaps, or a sagging gate.
It’s frustrating, but what’s the next step?
Should you DIY it, or should you call in the professionals? After all, nobody wants to spend money they don’t have to. But nobody wants to get injured or mess up their fence permanently, either.
Here’s how you tell.
DIY-Friendly Fence Repairs
There are some minor issues that are generally safe and manageable for the average homeowner with basic tools.
- Loose boards or pickets. You can usually re-nail or screw the board or picket back into place using exterior-grade fasteners.
- A minor gate sag can usually be repaired by checking and tightening the hinge screws.
- Minor surface rust may be sanded away (lightly) and then cleaning and applying a rust-inhibiting primer and paint.
These are typically isolated, non-structural issues. In fact, you should inspect for these sorts of issues every time you step outside to fix your fence.
When to Grab the Phone
Certain fencing problems pose safety risks or require specialized knowledge or tools to repair. Call us if you see:
- Leaning or rotting posts. This is a sign of structural failure.
- Widespread damage, even if it’s the result of a storm or an accident.
- Gates that won’t close.
- Gates with a heavy drag.
- Gates with bent hinges.
- Gates with a broken latch mechanism.
- Termite infestations.
These all require proper material matching. Many of these issues require digging, or the efficient removal of old sections of fence. It’s best to leave this sort of work to the professionals.
When is it Time to Replace
Wooden fences have a lifespan of 7 to 15 years. If your fence is older than 15 years old, you’ll need to start thinking about replacement.
If you’re tired of dealing with these kinds of repairs, you might even consider a metal fence or a masonry fence that can last for 50+ years or more.
However, our team also offers repairs for fences. We’re happy to take a look and make a conservative estimate that will save you money!
Contact us to get started today! Houston has trusted us to build and repair beautiful fences for year, and we’re exited to help you too!