Fence repair and replacement
Sun, wind, sprinkler water and shifting soil wear fences out here. Here's how to tell a repair from a replacement.
Fence damage in Washington County tends to come in a few predictable forms: vinyl that's been baked brittle and then hit by a gusty storm, posts that loosened in soil that's been watered for years, block walls that cracked when the ground moved, and iron that's rusting at the base where sprinklers hit it. Some of it is a quick part swap. Some of it means the fence needs rebuilding.
What usually goes wrong?
- Wind-blown vinyl. Panels pop out of rails, posts snap at the footing, or whole sections lay over.
- Sun damage. Chalky or yellowed vinyl, warped rails and wood boards that have split and pulled off their nails.
- Moving ground. Expansive clay that swells and shrinks with watering, or soil washed out after a storm, can tilt posts and crack block walls.
- Rust. Steel posts sitting in wet gravel or hit by sprinklers rust from the bottom up.
- Impacts. Trailers backing into gate posts, landscaping equipment and the occasional car.
Repair or replace?
| What you see | Usual fix |
|---|---|
| A few broken vinyl panels or rails | Replace those parts if the style is still available |
| One or two loose or snapped posts | Reset or replace the posts and footings |
| Long runs of brittle vinyl | Replace the fence; more breaks will follow |
| Hairline cracks along a block wall's joints | Monitor, fix drainage, repoint |
| A block wall that leans or has a widening crack | Have it evaluated; partial rebuild may be needed |
| Rust holes at the base of iron posts | Cut out and replace post bases, recoat |
After a windstorm
Photograph the damage before anything is moved if you might file an insurance claim. Keep pets and kids away from broken vinyl and leaning sections. When a contractor comes out, have them look at the posts and footings, not just the panels, since that's usually where the failure began.
Fix the water first
If sprinklers, drip lines or a downspout are soaking the base of the fence, the repair won't last until that's changed. Redirecting water is often the cheapest part of the job.
Pricing comes from the contractor after they've measured the run, looked at the ground, the grade between lots and the gates you want, and talked through materials. We don't quote prices, and any figure given over the phone before someone has seen the yard is only a rough starting point.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Does homeowners insurance cover a fence damaged by wind?
It depends on your policy and deductible. Take photos and call your insurer before the damaged sections are hauled away.
Is a crack in my block wall a big deal?
A fine crack along the mortar joints is often cosmetic. A crack that keeps widening, or a wall that has started to lean, should be looked at by a contractor.
Related services
More background: St. George fence guide.
Bare backyard, broken vinyl or a gate that won't latch?
Call the number above and a local fence contractor will come look at the job and quote it directly.