Rot not only affects the stability of your fence, but it also shortens the lifespan of your entire fence. You can use the Fence Fast repair spur to care for your rotten fence. The best suggestion is to prevent your fence from rotting by keeping the post above the ground level and taking care of regular inspections. You should also use pressure-treated wood, follow proper installation procedures, and maintain a good drainage system to avoid fence rotting. If this doesn’t help, ask a professional fence company for reliable repair services.

Steps To Fix A Rotten Fence Without A Fence Company

Damaged or rotten fence posts are repairable using Fence Fast repair spurs, a special metal bracket used to repair and support wooden fence posts that have damage or rotting at the base. Using this spur avoids replacing the entire post, making it much cheaper. Repair spurs are ideal for repairing rotten fence posts, including ground-level rot damage (the most common problem with fence posts). Here’s the process for using Fence Fast Repair Spurs:

Inspect: Perform the necessary checks: look for discoloration or softened wood that crumbles in your hands when touched.
Remove soil: The next step is to get rid of soil from around the post for fence cleaning to expose the base of the fence post.
Stabilize fence element: Next, ensure the fence element is stable and won’t tip over.
Position repair spur: Line up the spur over the damaged part of the post.
Drive in the spur: Use a sledgehammer to drive the spur into the ground until it feels secure.
Check for flatness and alignment: Use a level to ensure the post is vertically straight and properly aligned with the rest of the fence.
Fill hole: Fill the rest of the hole with soil and make sure it’s tightly fit.
Reattach fence element: Reattach the fence element onto the post.
Treatment: If your wooden fence posts follow dip-treatment, you can treat them with a quality wood preservative to prevent a rotten fence.

Termites:

When we think of wood-destroying insects, termites are usually at the top. Termites are winged creatures that tunnel through wood, such as fences, floorboards, and other structures. They feed on the cellulose in wood. The two most common types of termites are dry-wood termites and subterranean termites. In most cases, wood will look intact from the outside, but if you poke it with a screwdriver or sharp object, the wood will crumble, leaving sawdust inside.

Rodent Beetles:

These beetles are dark brown to black and about 6 mm long. Rodent beetles bore into wood and lay their eggs. When the larvae hatch, they feed on the wood below the surface. Before flying away, they can spend a long time inside a wooden post or board. These beetles prefer untreated wood, as wooden fences made with pressure-treated, kiln-dried, or painted wood are less affected.

Carpenter Ants:

Carpenter ants love wood, but not for eating. Instead, they build huge nests on the boards. Damaged fence sections of wooden boards or posts provide an entry point for these insects.

If you see piles of wood chips near posts, carpenter ants may have invaded and created holes in the fence. Spraying the holes with an aerosol insecticide will kill surface ants, but you should place insecticide bait near or in the holes. Remove the rotten wood and replace it with new posts to prevent future infestations.

Why Do Fences Rot?

The main cause of rotting fence posts is moisture. Several factors can cause excess moisture, which leads to decay and fence repair:

Use Pressure-Treated Wood: Pressure treatment involves a preservative that helps prevent rot, decay, and insect infestation. Choosing pressure-treated wood for your fence posts is a proactive step to prevent rot.
Elevate Posts: Elevating your fence posts above ground level can reduce their exposure to moisture. You can do this by using concrete bases or metal brackets.
Proper Installation: Ensure your fence posts are secure and follow proper installation. It will prevent movement and minimize the risk of water seeping into the post holes, leaving you with a damaged fence.
Provide Good Drainage: Proper drainage prevents moisture from building up around your fence posts. Consider using gravel at the bottom of the post holes to promote drainage.
Keep Your Fence Clear: Cut all plants and bushes around the fence to ensure proper air circulation and prevent excessive moisture buildup.
Regular Inspection: Check your fence posts regularly for early signs of rot, such as discoloration, soft spots, and fungal growth. Address any issues as soon as possible to prevent further deterioration.

How Do I Treat My Fence?

There are many products on the market that help treat your rotten fence. Clear wood cleaners, commercial stains, varnishes, and wood paints exist. Look for a high-quality wood stain and preservative that better protects the wood, or use Microshield Wood Protector. It will cause the wood to age but will protect it from water damage.

Consider preserving your wood rather than just staining it for a decorative finish. You want the active ingredients to penetrate the fence for long-term protection. You should consider protecting against rot, insects, mold, algae, UV rays, and moisture.

Conclusion

Understanding the role of moisture and taking these precautions can greatly reduce the risk of rot in your fence posts. Replacing a garden fence can be a costly decision. So, if your fence looks a little rotten, trying some fence treatment ideas can be a great way to quickly and inexpensively improve the situation. Use a fence spur, and do not let water stand at the base of your fence. If the damage is severe, call a fence company for help. Delaying this can lead to even more fence damage.

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