5 Steps to Restoring Your Fence

Josh Richards • Nov 18, 2022

5 Steps to Restoring Your Fence
Climate has both positive and negative impacts. It can fill rivers with water, store ice on mountains, and enrich the ground with healthy food. It can also cause the exterior wood to rot, decay, and break.
You must always protect the wood from elements and give it an extended life. And if you haven’t protected it, it might be calling for restoration.
Wood fence restoration can be a long process, from wood repairing to wood staining and sealing. Here, we will give you all you must know about restoring a wood fence.

How to Restore Wood Fence?

The whole wood restoration process could be extended, time-eating, and laborious. However, we have tied to make it simple so you won’t get scared. Here we give you our 5-step process to restore your wood fence.

Let’s begin our wood restoring process.

Repairing Fence Railings and Sections

The rail repairing process can involve the following steps:
1. Apply wood preservative on the affected areas and the 2x4 in a generous amount. That prevents wood decay from expanding.2. Support the rail with a 2x4 snugly underneath and ensure the rail is level. Nail snugly to the post with galvanized nails. 3. Carefully seal to prevent moisture from entering the wood.When the rail requires replacement, remove the fence in question and rebuild it according to the steps in the following section.1. Cut 2x4 rails to be flat on top of the post. The rails may be extended from one post to another, or they can extend over two sections. Cut each rail in turn to accommodate slight differences in the spacing of fence posts. 2. Cut the bottom rail to fit perfectly between the posts. Nail the bottom rails with a 10d galvanized nail3. Cut and measure your fence board in a uniform length. Starting at one end of the rails, attach the boards to one side of the rails. Leave some space, and each board uses two galvanized 8d.

Repairing Fence Screening

Removing damaged or rotten screening. For replacing rotted screens:
1. Measure the unbroken pieces to determine the proper width and length of the piece(s).2. If replacing pickets with a curve, place the board on an unbroken picket. Trace the top of the panel onto the new board. 3. Remove the broken pieces by hammering and pulling them off the rails. Take out any nails.4. Lay the new board against the rails, and set it up with them.Replace Rotted Screening1. Measure broken pieces to determine the proper length and width to fit parts.2. If replacing pickets, put the board against an unbroken picket. Then, trace the top of the board onto the new board, and make cuts using the saber, coping, or keyhole.3. Remove the broken pieces by hammering them and pulling them off the rails. Take out any nails.4. Place your new piece of wood or picket on the rails, align it with them, and nail it using 8d galvanized nails.

Repairing Fence Posts

Fix fence posts with a pair of splints or replace the whole post. Get a new base for the fence if the post appears to be in good shape but slipping out of the hole:

1. Choose two 2x4s long enough to penetrate below the frost line in your area and are at least 18 inches higher than the surface. Make sure to use only pressure-treated lumber, cedar, or clear all-heart redwood.
2. Bevel cut one side on each 4x4, then put them in the ground on both sides of the post.
3. Drill two holes in both posts and 2x4s, then join them using galvanized bolts for carriages.

Prepare the Fence

Now that the fence is all fixed and repaired, it’s time to restore its appearance. Start with spraying the cleaning content over the wood fence. Let it soak in before rinsing it with water.
We suggest pressure washing the fence for fast and better results. However, be careful with pressure washing the fence. Keeping the nozzle too close to the fence may damage the wood.
Once rinsed with a pressure washer, let the fence dry for at least a day. 

Stain and Seal the Fence

The last step in restoring the fence is applying a wood stain and sealer. Get a product that suits your preferences and wood. Our entire content revolves around the best stain and sealer for fences and decks. Please read it and choose your product.
Once you have successfully stained the fence, let it dry for a day or two before applying a sealant.
Applying a sealer isn’t necessary. Sometimes wood stains also include the wood sealant. If that’s the case with your product, skip using an additional coat.
Be careful for a day or two as the stain & sealer might take time to dry and soak in.

Conclusion

Wood fence restoration is challenging. However, regularly maintaining the wood fence can prevent the wood from decaying and rotting. Moreover, you can also make better choices when choosing the best wood for fencing.

If you’re all new to fence restoration, it is better to contact and talk to professionals. They can help restore the wood to its best and give it an extended life.