Fencing Tips

Wooden fences require regular maintenance and care, so learning to do a few simple repair jobs yourself is worthwhile.

If you have a small area of rot, you don’t need to replace the whole panel or post; just treat the affected area immediately to stop the rot spreading. Use a small wooden mallet and a chisel to chip away all the rotted wood and treat the area with wood preservative. Once dry, fill the cavity with wood filler. Wait about 15 minutes for this to set, then sand it flush with the existing wood. Repaint or revarnish as required.

If you have a closeboard fence (vertical boards nailed to a horizontal wooden “arris rail”) check the rail regularly for signs of damage. If there is damage, an arris rail bracket will reinforce your rail. These are made of galvanised steel and are specifically shaped to fit over the timber. They come ready-drilled so you can attach them easily with screws or nails. This five-minute job will help keep your fence upright for longer.