Month: November 2022

A wooden fence is a system made up of multiple parts. These include the boards, posts, the base and two rails that lie from post to post across the top and bottom of the fence.

Wooden fence rails are what your fence boards are affixed to, and they connect one post to the next. Damage to the fence rail can weaken the structure of your entire fencing system, so it’s essential to fix any problems with it right away. In this article, we discuss the common causes of damage, how to repair wooden fence rails and how to replace wooden fence rails if they can no longer be fixed.

What Causes Damage to Wooden Fence Systems?

Regular care and maintenance can keep your wood fences looking and functioning well for many years. However, all types of fences are susceptible to damage caused by extreme weather conditions, pests and moisture. Since untreated wood fences are made of organic material, they’re more prone to warping, insect infestation and rot caused by excessive exposure to rain and snow. The risk is lower for fences made of cedar, a naturally insect-repellant material, and treated wooden fence systems.

Additionally, if there are plants near your wooden fences, they might be rubbing on the bottom rail or trapping moisture, which in turn encourages the growth of mold and mildew.

While damage to boards and posts is common, rails can also be affected. For example, rot may cause a rail to pull loose from boards or posts, while impact – such as from a riding lawn mower – can result in broken fence rails and damaged boards or posts.

How to Repair Wooden Fence Rails

Depending on the extent of the damage, the wooden fence rails can still be fixed. A rail that has come loose from the post can be reconnected as long as the joint isn’t too rotted. To repair a rail, you’ll need the following:

• A 2×4 board
• Wood preservative
• Galvanized nails and screws
• Caulk or a pair of metal T-braces
• Paint in a color that matches your fence (optional)

Method 1

Step 1: Apply a generous coating of wood preservative to the damaged area. This will prevent rot from spreading and affecting other parts of your fence.

Step 2: Build a cleat. Make sure the rail is level, fit the 2×4 underneath it and fix it in place by nailing the 2X4 to the posts on either side. Then, drive a couple of nails through the rail into the 2X4.

Step 3: Caulk the top and sides. This step helps keep out moisture and prevents rotting.

Method 2

Step 1: Apply a generous coating of wood preservative to the damaged area. This will prevent rot from spreading and affecting other parts of your fence.

Step 2: Make sure the rail is level. Afterward, drill pilot holes into the rail and the post.

Step 3: Screw the T-braces to the rail.

Step 4: Apply caulk to the joint.

Optional Step: Paint the T-braces.

How to Replace Wooden Fence Rails

If the rail is not salvageable, you’ll need to replace the entire section of the fence. You’ll need the following:

• Two 2×4 rails and replacement fence boards*
• 10d and 8d galvanized nails
• A level

*You can cut these yourself if you have the equipment and know-how. Alternatively, measure your existing rail and get the dimensions of the section you’re replacing as well as the fence boards. Then, purchase fence boards and 2x4s from a home improvement store and have the staff cut them to the correct length.

Method 

Step 1: Affix the top rail. The rail should fit along the tops of the posts. It can extend from one post to another or span two fence sections if you need to replace two. Use the level to ensure the rail is even. Starting from one end, nail the rails in place. Be sure to use 10d galvanized nails at both ends of the rail.   

Step 2: Affix the bottom rail. You can attach the rail from just above grade to a foot up. Drive a 10d galvanized nail at an angle through the post and into the end of the rail on both sides.

Step 3: Nail down the fence boards. Beginning at one end, nail one board at a time to the rail. Use two 8d galvanized nails and connect the top first. This way, you can adjust the bottom rail to align with the top rail.

If your fence should have boards on either side, leave a gap equal to the width of a single board between each. When you’re done nailing boards on one side, move on to the other. Then, nail the boards on the other side of the rails to cover the gaps you left previously.

Leave the Hard Work to the Fence Replacement Experts

Replacing wooden fences is not a quick and easy DIY project for most people. Instead it requires planning, precision and expertise to ensure a high-quality finished product that will last for many years.

Nortex Fence & Patio has been providing fencing solutions to residential and commercial clients since 1988. We deliver exceptional artistry and use only the best available materials, and all of our cedar projects come with a 10-year warranty. Contact us today for a free estimate.

Many homeowners can see the benefits of installing a pergola on their property. Aside from its outdoor aesthetic appeal, a pergola can create a natural living space where you can enjoy a nice day outdoors. When designed correctly, a pergola in your yard can cast enough shade in the area on its own and even more shade with a retractable patio cover. 

However, with natural elements like strong winds and earthquakes, it’s not enough to just add a pergola to your backyard and call it a day. To protect your installation, you should keep your pergola anchored over the pavers on the ground. There are multiple ways to handle how to anchor a pergola to pavers, so choose which ones best fit the aesthetic and positioning of your pergola. 

Ways to Anchor Your Pergola to Pavers

You’ll need the help of a professional to anchor your pergola to the pavers. However, if you’re curious to know how to anchor a pergola to the pavers in your backyard, here’s the general process. 

First, after adding the pergola’s post footings on the ground, you’ll need to drill into the pavers to secure these posts. Next, brackets are added to secure each post. Finally, concrete is plastered around each post’s base as an added measure of stability. 

This is the most common way of anchoring your pergola. Unlike setting the posts in soil alone, pavers are attached to the ground, which gives your posts a solid foundation against natural elements that could damage or cause the entire structure to collapse. 

Install Post Footings Underneath the Pavers

You can opt to attach the post footings to the ground for a stronger foundation. Doing this gives your posts more stability, and your pavers become an added layer of stability to your pergola. Additional concrete placed at the top of your pavers ensures a strong hold over the post.

Your installer will have to remove the existing pavers over the area each pergola post will be. Fresh concrete will be added, and the brackets of the post footings will be installed before the concrete dries. The pergola post can then be attached to the footings, and then the pavers re-installed around the post. 

Install Post Brackets on the Pavers

If you don’t want to remove or change your pavers, you can instead install post brackets on the pavers and then attach them to your pergola posts. These brackets fit into the legs of your pergola and then have holes that you can use to screw the bracket into the paver. 

While you can do this with a DIY method, keep in mind that improper installation can lead to risks. If you don’t have the right drill bit or have very brittle pavers, you could crack or damage the paver attached to the bracket. This can compromise the stability of the leg, which cancels out the whole point of anchoring your pergola. You also need a specific type of screw that can effectively hold the weight of the pergola onto the paver without damaging it. 

Add Concrete to the Pergola Legs

For those who aren’t able to remove their pavers or drill into them, you can opt to add concrete to the base of each post to weigh each leg down. This is an option for those who are renting and aren’t allowed to damage or perform permanent changes to the backyard. 

You’ll need to place each leg of the pergola in a large container, like a bucket, planter, or any shape that can hold concrete. Next, fill up the container with concrete and let it dry and cure. 

Attach Weight Bags

This is only an option for temporary pergolas for special events in your home. This method will only work for lightweight pergolas, so this will barely have an anchoring effect on heavier pergolas that need more permanent solutions. 

Using a weighted bag or a bag filled with sand or dirt, tie each of the posts with a couple of weight bags. This should be good for regular days that aren’t too windy but don’t expect this to be an effective long-term solution against the elements. 

What Happens If I Don’t Anchor My Pergola?

Failing to secure your pergola puts your structure at risk over time. Here are some potential risks if you don’t anchor your pergola.

• During inclement weather with storms and high winds, it’s possible for your pergola to collapse, especially during heavy storms that can displace the soil where the posts are. 
• On particularly windy days, you may notice your pergola sway in the wind. This can be worrying when you or a household member is underneath the pergola. 
• It’s possible for your pergola to collapse. If the pergola is attached or close to your home, it could cause structural damage to your property. 
• You’ll have to pay to re-install your pergola, which can be costlier than simply anchoring it. 

Pergolas Crafted for Stability and Style

Now that you know some of the ways how to anchor a pergola to pavers, you may want to hire a professional to install them for you. Pergolas add style and comfort to your backyard. However, if you want to protect your structure from damage from natural elements, it’ll need to be properly anchored to the ground. 

With the skills and experience of the builders at Nortex Fence & Patio, you can expect the highest quality from your pergolas. Our team can design and install pergolas and ensure that they’ll stand strong against your area’s natural climate and elements. Let your households enjoy the comforts of a pergola that’s safe and sound in your home. 

Call our consultants today at 972-382-7800 or fill out this contact form to get a free estimate.