When to Replace or Repair a Fence Post or Fence Rot for Vancouver Homes
Rotting fence posts and panels are common reasons for Vancouver home owners repairing or replacing their fences.
In our last post we looked at whether to repair or replace a damaged fence as well as a whether to repair wood panels or to replace your wood fence with an aluminum paneled privacy fence.
In this post we will cover the common Vancouver homeowner concern of repairing or replacing unstable fence posts and more important the trouble of repairing rotting posts.
In this post we will look at each of these issues and recommend the best course of action on whether to repair or replace your fence.
First, Zoning Laws & Call Before You Dig!
Again (an important proviso from our last post), if you’re doing this yourself, there’s two things to do before you start — just to make sure your plans are legal and feasible!
- Check the zoning bylaws for your Vancouver Lower Mainland municipality. You may need a permit to replace an existing fence.
- And second, for B.C. residence you need to “click or call before you dig.” Even if you plan to put the fence posts into the same place as before, you don’t want to risk injury or person by discovering hidden cables or gas lines the hard way.
Replacing or Repairing Fence Posts
Another common repair for wooden fences is when a fence post has become unstable. This can happen for a number of repairable reasons, such as a poor initial installation or changes in ground conditions.
If the wood is in good shape and not rotting, this issue can be repaired relatively easily by sinking a concrete repair spur into the ground alongside the post and securing the post that way.
If the wood is rotting it’s a different story, however; which we’ll now turn to in the next section.
Repairing or Replacing Fence Rot
Rotting wooden fence posts are a common problem in the Vancouver area and spotting one or two rotting posts often means the rest are also on their way.
While a repair spur can make for a very stable base, if done properly, it’s a terrible long term solution in this case. When it comes time to replace the rotten wooden post for the new posts — and that time is sure to come — you’ll need to dig the rotten stumps out from around the poured concrete. This is a very laboursome task. After that you’ll also need to add more concrete to the secure the new posts, adding up to a very big job for an old fence. This is usually the time to replace the fence rather than repair it.
The best long term solution for them is to replace your old wooden fence with a secure metal fence.
An aluminum paneled fence offers the look and privacy of a wood fence, making it a great alternative. The upshot here is that aluminum is 100% rot and rust proof. A chain-link with privacy slats is another great alternative to wood and it offers a much more durable, long-term solution.
Your Fence Repair Company in Vancouver
To get your fence repaired in the Vancouver area, or for a professional opinion from our fence repair contractors, contact QS Fencing at 604-345-5145.
