What determines whether a fence should be repaired or replaced?

If more than 40 percent of posts show rot at ground level or if the majority of boards have split beyond fastener holding capacity, replacement typically costs less than extensive repairs. Isolated damage to a few sections makes repair the logical choice.

How do you fix a post that leans after a storm?

The post is dug out, the hole is deepened to below the frost line, and the post is reset with gravel backfill that allows water to drain away from the base. In Middle Tennessee, posts need to sit at least 24 inches deep to resist seasonal soil movement and wind loading.

Can you repair gates that no longer close properly?

Gate realignment involves checking hinge placement, adjusting post spacing if the opening has shifted, and replacing hardware that has bent or loosened. Proper alignment ensures the latch engages without forcing and the gate swings without scraping.

What happens if only a few boards are missing?

Missing boards are replaced with matching material, and fasteners are checked along the entire section to ensure adjacent boards remain secure. Gaps often appear where a single board failure created stress on neighboring boards.

How long does a typical repair take to complete?

Most single-section repairs finish within a few hours, while multi-point storm damage requiring post replacement and bracing may extend across a full day depending on the number of compromised locations.

Fence Repair Services

A fence that leans after wind exposure or shows gaps where boards have rotted no longer secures a property line or keeps animals contained. Wilson County Fence Co handles fence repair services in Lebanon, addressing structural failures that compromise function before replacement becomes the only option. Posts weakened by moisture intrusion, gates that drag instead of swing, and rails split by freeze-thaw cycles all receive targeted fixes that restore stability.

Repair work includes replacing rotted boards and posts, reinforcing sections that shift under pressure, and realigning gates that no longer latch properly. Storm damage often creates concentrated failure points where wind pressure snaps fasteners or uproots posts, and those areas require complete hardware replacement and bracing to prevent recurrence.

Schedule a property evaluation to identify which sections need immediate attention and which remain structurally sound.

Each repair begins with identifying whether the problem originates at ground level, where post rot typically starts, or above grade, where boards split and fasteners pull through weakened wood. Posts that lean indicate either shallow setting depth or soil erosion around the base, both of which require digging out the compromised post, resetting it deeper, and backfilling with tamped gravel for drainage.

After the repair is finished, gates swing without resistance, boards align evenly without gaps, and posts remain vertical under lateral pressure. The fence line returns to its original position, and hardware operates as intended without binding or loosening. You notice that sections previously sagging now hold firm and that animals or children no longer find escape routes through compromised areas.

Not all damage requires replacing entire panels—sometimes only the fasteners have failed while the wood remains intact, or a single post has rotted while adjacent posts still function. Effective repairs distinguish between cosmetic wear and structural compromise, targeting only the components that no longer perform their role.

What determines whether a fence should be repaired or replaced?
If more than 40 percent of posts show rot at ground level or if the majority of boards have split beyond fastener holding capacity, replacement typically costs less than extensive repairs. Isolated damage to a few sections makes repair the logical choice.
How do you fix a post that leans after a storm?
The post is dug out, the hole is deepened to below the frost line, and the post is reset with gravel backfill that allows water to drain away from the base. In Middle Tennessee, posts need to sit at least 24 inches deep to resist seasonal soil movement and wind loading.
Can you repair gates that no longer close properly?
Gate realignment involves checking hinge placement, adjusting post spacing if the opening has shifted, and replacing hardware that has bent or loosened. Proper alignment ensures the latch engages without forcing and the gate swings without scraping.
What happens if only a few boards are missing?
Missing boards are replaced with matching material, and fasteners are checked along the entire section to ensure adjacent boards remain secure. Gaps often appear where a single board failure created stress on neighboring boards.
How long does a typical repair take to complete?
Most single-section repairs finish within a few hours, while multi-point storm damage requiring post replacement and bracing may extend across a full day depending on the number of compromised locations.

Fences That Hold Their Function After Damage