Fence repairs should be completed as quickly as possible, but you may not be able to professionally fix your fencing right away. What are the options in the meantime? Here are some temporary repairs for wood fences that you can use for short-term solutions.
Patch Open Areas with a Temporary Material
If you’ve lost a section of your fencing or a few fence pickets, you can patch the open area with a substitute material. If it is projected to rain before you can officially repair the fence, you’ll need to select a material that can withstand the elements. Otherwise, you can use just about anything that will span the divide and enclose your yard. Some options include:
- Chicken Wire
- Tarps or Drop Cloths
- OSB Panels or Plywood
- Scrap Metal
- Construction Safety Fence
- Thick Cardboard or Chip Board
Look out in your shed for scrap material you could use as a temporary solution, and double check the weather before installing.
Re-Attach Broken Fence Pickets with New Screws
If some of your fence pickets have fallen off, you may be able to reattach them with different screw locations. Even if the picket is broken in half, you could fix each piece to the corresponding backer rails. They won’t stay attached for long, but they could get you through the period before fence repair.
Brace a Leaning Fence Section
If your fence is leaning, you may be able to brace it with some pressure-treated 2x4s. Use the boards to prop the fence section upright, and then wedge them into the ground. The result should look like a triangle, where the support boards sit diagonally between the ground and the fence.
If you have dogs or children, make sure they stay away from the leaning fence. These supports are not guaranteed, and if they are altered in any way, they may become ineffective. This option is mostly designed to protect the rest of the fence from further collapse until you can complete your repairs.
Set up a Makeshift Barrier with Construction Safety Fencing
You can create a barrier with a construction safety fence. This is the plastic mesh you often see on construction sites, either in bright orange or black. The safety fence is easily pliable, so it is not ideal for long-term security. Nevertheless, it may be just enough to block off your property and let your dogs complete their potty breaks.
Complete Long-Term Fence Repairs ASAP
Don’t leave fence damage unattended for too long. Gravity and Mother Nature are working against you. The longer you wait, the more you’ll likely have to pay in fence repairs. Temporary fence repairs should be just that…temporary. Contact a professional fence company like All Around Fence to secure your fencing promptly. You may reach us at (443) 838-9374 to schedule a consultation.
