Signs Your Fence Needs Repair
Wood fences fail slowly, then suddenly. Boards shrink and split, gaps open up, posts rot at the ground line and rails sag, and then one windy day a section leans or falls. Catching the problem early is cheaper than waiting. Look for posts that move when you push them, gaps between boards, boards that have popped off their nails, rails that have split, gates that drag or will not latch and any lean along a run. The photo shows a weathered Calgary fence with loose boards and gaps, a common starting point for repair.
- Leaning or wobbly posts
- Gaps and loose boards
- Split or sagging rails
- Gates that drag or will not latch
- Rot at the ground line
- Storm damage
Rails, Posts and Boards
Fixing Broken Rails and Leaning Fences
A broken rail lets boards sag and pull away, and a leaning fence usually means a post has rotted or heaved. We replace broken rails, re-attach loose boards and, where a post has failed, set a new post in the right place and depth so the run stands straight again. Fixing a leaning fence without fixing the post only hides the problem. The photo shows a fence with a broken top rail and leaning boards beside a Calgary lane.
- Broken rails replaced
- Loose boards re-attached
- Failed posts replaced
- Runs pulled straight
After the Windstorm
Storm and Wind Damage to Fences
Calgary windstorms and chinooks are hard on fences, and fallen trees and sagging snow loads do damage too. When a section comes down, we clear the broken boards and rails, check the posts either side and rebuild the missing section to match the rest. If the damage is part of an insurance claim, we photograph it and give you a clear estimate. The photo shows broken boards and a collapsed frame on the ground beside a Calgary lane.
- Debris cleared and hauled away
- Neighbouring posts checked
- Section rebuilt to match
- Photos and estimate for claims
When One Section Is Not Enough
Rebuilding a Collapsed Fence Section
When a section has collapsed, we look at the whole run. If the neighbouring posts are sound, we rebuild the section with new posts, rails and boards and tie it into what is left. If the posts are rotted along the run, a rebuild of the whole fence costs less than patching it, and we tell you so. The photo shows a collapsed fence section with exposed posts and rails on a Calgary lane before the rebuild.
- Posts tested along the run
- New posts, rails and boards
- Tied into the existing fence
- Whole rebuild recommended when needed
The Finished Repair
Repaired, Straight and Stained
A good repair looks like the rest of the fence. We match the boards and the rail heights, line up the new section with the old and stain it so the colours blend as the wood weathers. Gates are re-hung, braced and adjusted so they swing freely. The photo shows a wood fence repaired with new boards and rails along a Calgary lane.
- Boards and rails matched
- Section lined up with the old fence
- Stain to blend the colour
- Gates re-hung and braced
The cost of the repair should be weighed against what is left of the fence.
Fence Repair or Replacement: Which Do You Need?
Repair makes sense when:
Posts are sound and only boards or rails failed
Damage is limited to a section
The fence is under about fifteen years old
A gate needs adjusting or rebuilding
Replacement makes sense when:
Posts are rotting along the whole run
The fence leans in several places
Repairs keep failing
The fence is near the end of its life
Fence Down or Leaning? Tell Us About It
Send a photo and the length of the damaged section, and we will call you back.
What Causes Fences to Fail
Rot at the Ground
Posts rot where wood meets soil and moisture, which is why a post can look fine above ground and be soft at the base.
Wind and Snow
Chinook winds and heavy snow load push on fences, and boards loosen as they dry and shrink.
Age and Weather
Sun and moisture split boards and rails, and fasteners rust, especially without stain.
What Affects the Cost of Fence Repair
How Much Is Damaged
A few boards cost far less than a post and two rails, and a collapsed section costs more.
Matching and Stain
Matching old boards and staining to blend adds work but keeps the fence looking right.
How a Fence Repair Goes
Why Choose Blueprint for Fence Repair
Questions About Fence Repair?
Send the size, what it is for and a photo of the area, and we will call you back.
Book a Fence Repair Quote
Frequently Asked Questions About Fence Repair
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Q. How much does fence repair cost in Calgary?
It depends on how much is damaged. A few boards cost much less than replacing posts and rails, and a collapsed section costs more. We look at the fence and give you a clear quote rather than guess over the phone.
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Q. Can you fix a leaning fence without replacing it?
Sometimes. If the posts are sound and the lean comes from loose rails or soil movement, we can straighten and brace it. If posts have rotted, they need to be replaced for the repair to last.
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Q. How do I know if a fence post is rotten?
Push on it. If it moves, or the wood at the ground line is soft or crumbles, the post has rotted. A screwdriver pushed into the wood at the base is another test.
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Q. Can you repair a fence damaged in a windstorm?
Yes. We clear the damage, check the posts either side and rebuild the missing section to match. We also photograph the damage and give you an estimate if you are making an insurance claim.
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Q. Do you repair gates?
Yes. We adjust, rehang and rebuild gates, replace hinges and latches and brace gates that sag. A gate that drags often needs a better post or a diagonal brace.
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Q. Will new boards match my old fence?
They will match in height and style, but new wood is lighter than weathered wood. Stain helps the repair blend, and the colour evens out as the wood ages.
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Q. Do I need to be home for a fence repair?
Not usually, as long as we have access to the fence and any gates. We confirm the plan with you beforehand and walk through the finished work when you are available.
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Q. How long does a fence repair take?
Most repairs take a day or two, depending on the size of the damage, the weather and whether new posts need to be set.
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Q. Should I repair or replace my fence?
Repair when the posts are sound and damage is limited. Replace when posts are rotted along the run, the fence leans in many places or repairs keep failing. We tell you honestly which fits. See our fence builders page for new fences.
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Q. Do you call for utility locates before replacing posts?
Yes. Digging post holes disturbs the ground, so we request locates through Click Before You Dig. Plan on at least three full working days before we dig.
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Q. What if my neighbour shares the fence?
Talk to your neighbour before work starts. We are happy to give a quote that you can both see. Alberta's Line Fence Act covers livestock fencing, so it generally does not set a rule for ordinary city fences.
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Q. How can I make my fence last longer?
Stain or seal it every two to three years, keep soil and plants from piling against the boards, fix small problems such as a loose board early and make sure water drains away from the posts. Posts set below the frost line and on firm ground last longest.
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Q. Can fences be repaired in winter?
Small repairs, such as replacing boards or adjusting a gate, can be done on mild days. Anything that needs new posts depends on whether the ground can be dug, so many fence repairs wait for spring. We will tell you what is realistic.
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Q. Do you repair vinyl or chain-link fences?
Most of our fence work is on wood fences. If you have vinyl, metal or chain-link, tell us what you have and what is wrong, and we will tell you whether we can help or suggest who can.
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Q. What does a fence repair quote include?
A clear quote lists what will be replaced or repaired, such as posts, rails, boards and gates, whether stain is included and whether old material will be hauled away. If something is not included, it should say so, so you can compare quotes fairly.
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Q. How do I stop a new fence from leaning again?
Posts have to be set below the frost line and on firm ground, with the soil tamped around them and braces left until they set. Using treated posts, spacing them correctly and fastening rails securely keeps the fence straight through freeze and thaw.
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Q. Which areas do you serve?
We repair fences in Calgary and in Airdrie, Chestermere, Cochrane and Okotoks, and in the areas between.