How To Repair A Broken Fence: A Detailed Guide

Installing a fence can be a high-cost investment for many Aussie homeowners, so it makes sense that you’ll want yours to last as long as possible. That’s why we champion durable fencing styles here at Outback Fencing – not those age-old timber fences that you’re more likely to see looking dilapidated or water-stained rather than shiny and new.

If you do find signs of damage on your fence, however, heed this piece of advice from our experts: make repairs as promptly as possible to make sure your fence stands the test of time. By keeping your fence in top condition, you can ensure that it looks and performs at its best for the duration of its extensive lifespan.

And if you’re looking to learn how to repair a broken fence, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’ll go through some key tips on how to restore your fence to its former glory. We’ll also give you some specific tips on how to repair a few of the many popular fencing materials in Australia.

• Common Types of Fence Damage & How to Repair Them
• Repair Tips for Various Fence Types
• Prioritise Damage Prevention
• Know When to Replace a Broken Fence

Common Types of Fence Damage & How to Repair Them

Corrosion

Corrosion is a common issue for steel fences, especially those that are not powder coated. This effect occurs when metal is exposed to the oxygen in the atmosphere, and is particularly prevalent in places with a high level of moisture in the air – like coastal areas.

For timber fences, corrosion can take the form of wood rot or wood decay, caused by waterlogging or even termite infestations. Regularly treating timber fence panels and securing effective termite treatments when required can aid in addressing corrosion of timber fencing before it gets out of control.

Regardless of what material your fence is made from, a patch of any type of corrosion can spread quickly, so detecting and addressing the problem early is vital. You can remove rust from a fence by hand using sandpaper, steel wool or a wire brush. Then, coat your fence with a combination of lemon and white vinegar for an hour before washing the mixture off with soap. You may then be able to restore your fence to its former glory with a fresh coat of paint.

Preventing corrosion before it spreads is essential to maintaining a sturdy, aesthetic fence.

Warping

Warping occurs when timber fences are exposed to fluctuations in temperature, which are extremely common in Australia. The best way to deal with warping is to avoid the problem altogether by installing a fence that is suitable for colder climates.

If your fence does become warped, there are steps you can take to repair it. For wooden fences, you’ll need to apply water if part of your fence is too dry or dry out your fence if it is too moist. You can straighten out the warped sections of steel fences with a hammer or use a heating tool like a propane torch.

A warped fence can be extremely unseemly. Make sure to repair any dents in your fence as soon as you spot them to maintain your home’s street appeal.

Stains & Discoloration

A fence can become stained for many reasons. Stains, colour fading, or other forms of discolouration can be caused by environmental hazards (i.e. dirt, dust, plant matter, food or drink residue), or even as a result of your fence being exposed to extreme temperatures. You’d be surprised by just how damaging intense heat and UV rays can be.

When it comes to easy-to-maintain fence materials like PVC, aluminium, Colorbond and glass, all you need to do is wipe your fence with a damp cloth or wash it with a hose. In the case of timber fences, you may have to repaint your fence entirely if you’re dealing with a deeply embedded stain.

And if you live in a region where intense heat and UV rays are to be expected, then check out this guide on the best fencing styles for hotter climates. Any of the fencing designs we’ve laid out in that guide are poised to perform well in even the most arid conditions.

Leaning

Leaning fences are a common problem for Aussie homeowners. Factors like poor installation work, an overgrowth of tree roots or strong physical impacts can all cause your fence to lean one way or the other. A leaning fence can cause damage to other parts of your home if it completely falls over, so it’s essential to conduct repairs as soon as possible.

In many cases, we recommend installing brand-new fence posts if you find your fence leaning. While this might cost more than a simple repair in the short term, a functional fence is an absolutely essential part of home safety, and you should never skimp on fixing or replacing a broken fence.

Repair Tips for Various Fence Types

How to Repair Your Colorbond Fence

Colorbond fencing is an Australian-designed fencing option that was specifically built to withstand local weather conditions. Colorbond is immune to corrosion and moisture, and is also fireproof. The durability of Colorbond makes this fencing material a fantastic investment for any home.

However, it’s still possible for a Colorbond fence to become damaged or dirtied over time. Thankfully, Colorbond was also designed to be incredibly easy to repair on your own. Start by clearing the surface of any stains with a damp cloth. Then, make sure the screws holding your Colorbond fence together are tightly secured. Colorbond is malleable, which means that fence posts that have been bent due to physical trauma can be repaired with a lever and a jack.

If you spot dented or damaged sections on your Colorbond fence, you can replace the affected panels by securing individual Colorbond fence panels from Outback Fencing.

How to Repair Your Aluminium Fence

Aluminium is an incredibly popular fencing option both for backyards and pools due to its relatively low cost and ease of maintenance. However, aluminium fencing is not indestructible, and repairing any damages as soon as you spot them is key to maintaining a sturdy fence

While aluminium compares favourably with steel when it comes to price, aesthetic versatility and weather resistance, aluminium is much more lightweight. This means that aluminium can also be susceptible to accruing small dents if they experience excess force.

If the dents on your fence are small, you can repair the damage with a simple hammer. When faced with more serious damage to your aluminium fence, we advocate for a complete replacement. At Outback Fencing, we stock individual aluminium batten, slat or blade fencing panels if you require a complete replacement.

Aluminium pool fencing is resistant to rust, but a thin layer of aluminium oxide can form on its surface when exposed to water from your swimming pool or the moisture in the air. This can be cleared easily with a damp cloth.

Learn more about repairing or replacing your aluminium fence by getting in touch with a member of the Outback Fencing team.

How to Repair Your PVC Fence

PVC is a contemporary fencing material that combines style and ease of maintenance. PVC fences are also available in a number of different designs like privacy or semi privacy PVC picket fencing, so you can choose one that suits your needs.

Whilst PVC fence panels are durable, they’re not completely immune to damage. When a strong physical force loosens individual fence pickets, you can repair the damage by making sure all the screws are tight. Cracked PVC panels, however, will need to be replaced entirely. Thankfully, all of our PVC fencing products are all modular here at Outback Fencing, so all you need to do is remove and replace the single damaged panel to ensure your property’s perimeter fencing looks good as new again.

Damaged posts are another danger when it comes to PVC fences. Thankfully, PVC posts are hollow and can be strengthened by placing wood or metal inserts inside. This will stop the posts from falling over and help guard against future physical trauma.

Ensure your PVC fence posts are in good condition by constantly checking for damage and conducting repairs as soon as you detect an issue.

How to Repair Your Timber Fence

Timber fences are significantly more difficult to repair than the other types of fencing listed in this section. Being made with an organic material, timber fence panels are more prone to rot, especially when exposed to high levels of moisture. To prevent rot from spreading, you’ll need to remove the rotted parts of your timber fence and install replacements. If the rot has already spread, however, it’s often necessary to completely replace large sections of your fence.

If your timber fence starts to lean, the best course of action will depend on the cause of the problem. A sagging wooden fence caused by a tilting concrete footer needs to be repaired by digging up the soil around the affected section. Then, you need to pour concrete into the hole you’ve created to strengthen the foundation of your fence. On the other hand, if your timber fence is bending due to a damaged post, you either need to strengthen the damaged section with a fence mender or purchase an entirely new post.

Timber isn’t the most ideal fencing material for Australian homes due to the difficulty of maintaining and repairing wood in local weather conditions. If you’re in the market for a new fence, Outback Fencing stocks a variety of cost-effective, durable fencing styles that are great alternatives to timber.

Prioritise Damage Prevention

While it’s possible to repair many types of damage to your fence, prevention should always be your first option. Make sure to clean your fence often with a damp cloth or a water hose, avoid harsh chemical cleaners and conduct regular inspections to detect the first signs of damage and prevent the problem from escalating.

Conducting proper maintenance and keeping your fence in good condition is vital to keeping your backyard safe. Regular maintenance also stops you from having to break the bank on expensive fence repairs or replacements down the road, so make damage prevention a priority.

Know When to Replace a Broken Fence

Sometimes, it’s impossible to repair a broken fence. When it comes to problems like major warping, corrosion that’s spread throughout the whole fence and broken fence posts, you’ll need to replace your broken fence.

If your fence is beyond repair, it’s imperative that you secure a replacement as soon as possible. Having a working fence around your backyard ensures that the resale value of your property stays high and that your home remains safe and livable.

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No matter how durable your fence is, wear and tear is inevitable. When your fence becomes damaged, conducting speedy, effective repairs or replacements is essential to prevent the problem from growing.

If you have any questions about repairing your fence or if you’d like to learn more about one of the low-maintenance fences we stock, please get in touch with a member of the Outback Fencing team today.