6 Key Signs You Need Fence Repair

The white picket fence is an iconic symbol of Americana, right up there with apple pie and baseball games. It evokes images of a time when neighbors would chat over the backyard fence and come calling to borrow a cup of sugar.

Whether your wood fence is a white picket, stockade, board on board, or one of the dozens of other attractive styles, it makes a huge contribution to the style and curb appeal of your home.

On the flip side, when your fence is in need of repair and maintenance, it detracts from your home or business and can even decrease the property value. Worse yet, it can be a dangerous hazard for your family and everyone else to navigate around, not to mention the privacy issue—since wood fences with cracks and missing boards aren't so private anymore.

Luckily, Mr. Handyman of Midwest Collin County is here to rescue your perimeter and turn it into the perfect frame for your house and yard!

We take pride in our reputation for quality workmanship and outstanding customer service and have worked on numerous homes and businesses in the residential districts of McKinney, Allen, Melissa, Anna, Princeton, Sherman, Denison, Altoga, and other nearby towns in Texas. Our customer satisfaction is our mission.

But how do you know if your fencing needs repairs or maintenance? Can it last another year or is it one stiff breeze away from falling down? We've made a list of six signs that your fence is crying out for help.

1. Boards Are Broken, Cracked, or Splintering

Breaks and cracks in the boards, runners, or slats, are among the most recognizable and unsightly symptoms of a fence in need of repair. They don't just look bad, they compromise the strength and stability of your fencing and can cause some nasty splinters.

Depending on the extent of the damage, your handyman may need to replace just a couple of boards or whole sections or panels. Once the new, strong boards are in place, they can be painted or stained to match the rest—and it's probably a good idea to apply a sealant to the entire fence at this point, to avoid future damage to both new and old boards.

2. Wood is Rotting

Timber is one of the most beautiful materials; however, regardless of the grade of wood, it has the weakness of rot and deterioration. Wood rot is decay caused by certain types of fungi. Depending on the kind of fungus, it softens and discolors the timber and can make it appear spongy, stringy, or webbed with cracks. While it only infests timber, some types of fungi can travel over other materials like masonry.

When you find a place that you think is rotten, just take a screwdriver and press it against the timber. If it sinks right in, you've got wood rot.

Even if you catch it very early, it's difficult to totally eliminate wood rot—and timber that has already softened can't really be repaired. Your handyman will probably need to replace any rotten wood, though it may be possible to scrape out small rotten parts and fill them in with epoxy if necessary.

3. Posts are Unstable

Your wooden fence is probably held up by traditional wood posts, and over time they can start to sink, sag, bend, or warp and become unstable. If the post is loose, it's only a matter of time until the whole fence collapses. The posts are usually secured by a concrete footing, which can also crumble over time and cause the post to wobble.

Grab a post and give it a good shake. It shouldn't move at all, but if it does, it's time to call in a handyman to either replace it or re-secure it. If the problem is the concrete footing, it may be possible to pour new concrete and keep the old post.

4. Bottom of the Fence is Touching the Ground

The posts and footings should be the only part that's actually touching the ground. Whether you have vertical or horizontal wood fences, the bottom of the boards should be a couple of inches away from the soil underneath. Over time the fence can sink or soil can build up, and when they make contact it leaves the boards vulnerable to rot and other damage.

The treatment will depend on what is causing the contact, but it may be as simple as repositioning the boards higher up on their posts or scooping excess soil out.

5. Paint or Stain is Peeling and Chipped

The right color of paint or staining on your wooden fencing is a great opportunity to show your personal style to the whole neighborhood, and it also serves to protect the timber from wear and tear. When the finishing is peeling or chipping away from the wood, however, it leaves the timber vulnerable and gives a poor impression to visitors and passers-by.

A service technician can strip the old, peeling, or chipped finish off of the wood and reapply it, then add sealant to ensure that it's preserved for a long time to come. And if you have plans to change up the look of your property, this is the perfect opportunity for a new color!

6. Violates City Bylaws

Maybe your fence is in perfect condition, but you've received a notice that it's encroaching on city property or exceeds the maximum height allowed. It's best to get that taken care of before you're fined.

If your fencing is too tall, it may be possible to reduce the feet in height without messing around with the footings or lower part of the fence. If it needs to be moved back a couple of feet, that's going to be a bigger project that involves relocating the posts and footings.

Need Fence Repair in Midwest Collin County? Trust Mr. Handyman!

When you need a handyman for repairs to your fence or any other parts of your property, you want to know that you'll have a pleasant experience with superior customer service. Mr. Handyman of Midwest Collin County offers quality service with quality materials, and our handymen have the knowledge and expertise to get the job done right.

Give us a call today, or fill out our request service form. We'll answer any questions you may have and show you why our clients consider us the best handyman service!