Wintry weather and howling winds are bad news for a pre-weakened fence line. Whether you're a skilled hand at DIY or you need to seek a professional contractor, fence repair is something we all want to avoid. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to keep your fence line strong and protected in the face of high winds. Read our guide on repairing your fence if it's failed and how to reinforce it against future storms.
As stormy weather sweeps across the UK, so do strong winds with the potential to damage your fence line. If you're reading this, we suspect your fence may have already failed. Thankfully, our experts have written a guide on repairing your fence and protecting against future problems.
Our number one top tip above anything else is to buy quality, as spending a little extra now will pay dividends in the future. Taking the time to protect your timber fence posts with Postsaver Pro-sleeves, for example, will save you a great deal of money in the long run. Read on for our step by step guide on what to do if your fence has failed.
1) Find out who is responsible for the fence
Fences are one of the leading causes of neighbourly disputes. Finding out who the fence belongs to is essential to avoid any neighbourly disagreements. If you don't already know, you can find out through the HM Land Registry site. Taking the time to work out the most friendly course of action is always best!
2) Decide how you're going to do the job, perhaps yourself, or use a contractor
Weigh up the work involved. It might be some light repairs you can tackle yourself, or it may be that the entire fence has collapsed, and you need to seek professional help. Either way, preparation is key to keeping costs down and work time to a minimum.
3) How to do it yourself
Replacing a fence can be a big job, but anyone can do it with some careful planning and preparation. Strong winds may have caused you a headache, but now could be a good time to spruce up your garden for the summer and replace your old fence with a new and stylish addition. For our full range of advice on how to plan your garden fence replacement, check out our Garden Fencing page for everything you need to know. We've written a guide on replacing a garden fence yourself, including all the tools you'll need to get the job done.
4) How to find a reliable contractor
Finding a contractor you can trust is not always easy, so we have a few top tips to help:
Little and often is key to avoiding a costly replacement. We appreciate the expense of fencing, so we've come up with our favourite maintenance top tips to help you get the longest life out of your fence. Take the time to follow these necessary fencing health checks and give your fence the best chance against winter weather.
You can do these checks all year round, but we recommend paying close attention in late summer and early autumn.
1) Check for wobbly fence posts
These are a failure waiting to happen! Find out why the post is unstable; if it is rotten, it will need to be replaced. However, some posts will move when there is not enough support from the surrounding soil. If this is the case, we recommend digging the soil away from the post and using Postsaver Pro-set to fill the hole. The two-part foam is perfect for expanding around all parts of the post to give it strength and rigidity. It sets to full strength in just 90 minutes.
2) Keep on top of minor repairs
Check your fence for any broken or damaged sections. It might be that a panel board has come loose, or perhaps a post cap has come off. Small repairs like this can be fixed with a hammer and few nails and will keep your fence line looking smart. Simple and easy maintenance can give your fence a new lease of life.
3) Treat your fence with preservative
Our experts strongly recommend staining or coating your fence with a wood preservative to prolong the wood's lifespan above ground. Wood stains keep your fence protected against wet weather, strengthening them against high winds. We recommend using Postsaver Creocote to prolong the life of your fence. Not only does this protect your fence, but the colour can also enhance the wood and keeping your garden looking smart.
Follow our advice and enjoy the best from your fence this summer. Kick back and relax, knowing your fence is protected.
