Repairing Fencing
Wooden patio fencing is relatively easy to repair if some of the original fencing is still intact; you can use the original elements as patterns for the broken or missing pieces. It is important to use the same type of material and the same dimensions of material for the replacement pieces, if you use different materials or the wrong size replacement pieces the fence will look a little out of kilter.
The first step in repairing wooden fencing is to make sure the remaining posts are in the ground solid and not rotted off just underground, check each post thoroughly and if loose or rotten replace the posts before replacing rails or fence boards.
Next make all the pieces you need to make the repairs, rails and fence boards should be the majority of the work to be done, sand all surfaces so as not to have that hairy look. Re-nailing should be done in the existing nail pattern with galvanized nails. It is helpful to paint or stain all the new pieces before you install, this insures all surfaces have a protective coating. If the fence is painted you will want repaint the new pieces after nailing. As you replace the new pieces stay in the pattern of the fence, the same spacing and the same height, when you are done there should be no evidence that you did anything except paint the fence.
Cedar is a very popular material for picket fences and easy to work with. Repair of a cedar fence is the same as repairing any other wooden fence, check the posts, make the patterns for replacement pieces and install. A few things are different; cedar is soft and comes in different grades, pick the better grade because it is smooth, no hairy look! Nailing cedar, because it is soft, needs to be done carefully so that there no hammer marks. Cedar does not have to be painted but it needs a protective coat or it will turn black.
Repairing iron railing is a different matter especially if the iron railing is very old. Missing pieces are difficult to make and cannot be made in the garage. A professional contractor needs to do this project. If some of the fence is missing or broken and the original iron work was custom made you will have to have new matching pieces made.
The existing iron will need to be cleaned, scraped and wire brushed or sand blasted, either works. After cleaning, any loose or broken pieces need to be welded and all new pieces need to be welded into place. Once the fence is intact the entire railing needs to be primed with a rust resistant primer and then painted. Hundred year old iron railing can be made to look brand new if done correctly.
Repairing fences, patio fences, iron railings needs to be done with sensitivity because fences are an important visual element of the home and if done correctly add value to the home and enhance the landscaping.
