Fence Repair in Memphis, TN
Your fence does a lot for your property—even if it's just there for decorative purposes, it does a lot to boost your home's curb appeal and make that all-important first impression on visitors. But most fences aren't just there for the sake of appearances. They keep pets and small children safely contained inside the yard so you don't have to worry that anyone will dart out onto a busy road, and they discourage casual trespassers from wandering onto your property uninvited. Your barrier structure can also offer you privacy in your backyard, whether you're living it up in the hot tub or just puttering around the garden.
But without occasional fence repair, Memphis, TN fences don't provide any of the benefits listed above. In fact, it's quite the opposite—they become a detriment to the appeal, security, and privacy of your property. Because damage often starts out small and gets incrementally worse over time, homeowners often don't notice until it's ready to fall over in the next light breeze. If you know the signs that your structure could really use professional fence repair in Memphis, TN, you can get the necessary fence services before the problem gets so severe the whole thing needs to be replaced.
If you've spotted some of the signs that indicate your fencing needs help from a qualified professional, trust your local Memphis handyman to get the job done right. We are a locally owned and operated business here in Memphis, TN, and the team of service professionals at Mr. Handyman of the Memphis area takes top-quality workmanship and outstanding customer service very seriously. You can count on us to deliver the highest standards of quality service for all your residential or commercial repair, maintenance, and improvement needs. We cover everything from wrought iron fences to vinyl fencing, with a huge service area.
How to Tell When You Need Fence Repair, Memphis, TN
Not sure if your property needs Memphis fence repair services? Walk along the entire structure—on both sides, if that's possible without invading your neighbor's yard—and examine it carefully for the following indications that it's time for fence repair in Memphis, TN.
Missing or Broken Pickets
Pickets or slats are the (usually) vertical components of a picket fence that are attached to horizontal rails and form the face, or front, of the structure. They are the most visible part of your fence boards, so they are pretty important for the overall appearance of the structure, and if there's any missing it tends to make your fence look a bit like a gap-toothed smile. If you've got one or multiple missing or broken pickets, it's making your privacy fence a whole lot less private and it also leaves a big gap that a dog or toddler could wiggle through and take themselves for a jaunty stroll down the street. Broken rails, on the other hand, could cause more widespread damage by making entire sections of your structure less sturdy and secure. Fortunately, your Memphis fence repair professional should be able to handle this problem fairly easily. Fence picket replacement will take care of those unsightly gaps, and then we'll add paint and sealant so the overall structure looks great again and is capable of keeping pets and kids safe.
Soft, Crumbling Wood
Wood is a very popular choice for fencing material because it's so attractive, versatile, readily available, and easy to work with. The only potential issue is its susceptibility to wood rot because the structure is outdoors and exposed to the elements. A wooden fence is always going to be somewhat vulnerable to rotting because wood rot is a form of decay that only affects wood with a moisture content of about 20% and up. That's why wood rot is one of the most common issues for fence repair in Memphis, TN—timber is constantly being soaked by rain, snow melt, and humidity, so its moisture content elevates quickly if it's not protected by paint or stain and sealant.
Rotten wood can't be completely returned to its original condition, so in most cases, wood fence repair is best handled by removing the damaged timber altogether and replacing it with new, green-treated wood, then following that with paint or stain and sealant so it has moisture protection and won't rot again right away. However, in situations where it would be very difficult to remove the wood or you caught it very early and there are only a few small spots of damage, it may be possible for your handyman to carry out Memphis fence repair by clearing out the rotted parts with a wire brush and then filling in the gaps with epoxy wood filler. Once the filler has cured, we'll paint over it to conceal the repair and make your fence look good as new.
Gate is Difficult to Open and Close
If your gate makes an unpleasant screeching noise every time you try to swing it open, or it won't stay closed because the latch has fallen out of alignment, or you can't budge it at all because parts of it are dragging on the ground, you already know you need fence gate repair. Our strategy for fence repair in Memphis, TN will naturally vary depending on what the problem is. If it's squeaking and screeching, we may be able to solve the problem with a good dose of metal lubricant. But if it's dragging on the ground or the latch is misaligned, it's likely this is more of a problem with either loose or broken hinges, or with the posts that are holding up the gate.
Posts are Loose or Leaning
Posts are the part of your structure that holds it up, and they're actually the only part that should be touching soil. They are typically stabilized in a concrete footing that is buried in the ground to give them greater stability. But over time, concrete can suffer water damage from being exposed to moving groundwater, which causes it to crack and weaken. Or, it could be that your post has broken off above the footing, but still underground. Needless to say, both of these scenarios seriously compromise your post's ability to hold everything else up and fence post repair is needed before a strong wind takes the whole thing down.
Impact Damage
Fences are typically located pretty close to the edge of a property line, which means they're out there all on their own, separate from your house or other buildings. They're also usually near to the street, which means they are vulnerable to serious impact damage from a vehicle that has jumped the curb. If you've had that unpleasant experience, there's an upside—the fact that your fence was there to stop it is certainly preferable to having a vehicle plow into your house instead.
Your structure can also suffer impact damage from something like a falling tree branch, or even a severe hailstorm. Since it probably doesn't have much shelter from buildings and the like, it's also possible for very strong winds to blow slats right off and send them flying halfway across your lawn. If only a section or two suffered damage and need fence repair, Memphis, TN professionals on our team can simply replace or fix up those sections. But if the structure is continuous or more than about 25% of it is damaged, a replacement will likely be the most cost-effective choice.
Mr. Handyman is Your Dependable, Local Memphis Fence Repair Company
If you're in need of Memphis fence repair services, it can be stressful to choose the right company to get the job done. You don't want to hire someone who will work carelessly, or fools around by needlessly extending how long the job will take. When you call our repair, maintenance and improvement professionals at Mr. Handyman of the Memphis area, you get peace of mind that comes with knowing our experienced handymen will work efficiently and capably to get the work done without cutting corners or falsely inflating your final bill.
Our services aren't just for residential properties—business owners can rely on us to provide expert services for commercial properties as well. We offer a wide range of services that range from deck repair to drywall installation and beyond. Give us a call and let us know what's on your to-do list—we look forward to the opportunity to enhance the appeal, comfort and livability of your property.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fence Repair in Memphis, TN
Do I Need Fence Repair in Memphis, TN, or a Total Replacement?
This is a good question to ask before you get any type of repair or replacement work done on your property because there's no sense in ripping out an entire structure and replacing it if all you needed was Memphis fence repair. On the other hand, you don't want to waste time and money on repairs if it's going to be like putting a band-aid on a broken leg—completely inadequate to address the scope of the problem.
People often tend to assume that repair is always going to be less expensive than fence installation services because there's no need to purchase new building materials, but that's not necessarily the case. If the damage is severe and widespread, a repair would be time-consuming and therefore quite costly, and the results would probably not be satisfactory. In that type of situation, it is more cost-efficient to get a replacement.
Here are some scenarios where replacement is warranted:
- More than about 25% of your whole structure has been damaged by factors such as harsh weather or wear and tear over time
- Hit by a falling tree branch or a vehicle and suffered extensive damage
- Infested by termites, carpenter ants or other destructive pests
- Want to enhance your curb appeal and add property value with a new style
How Do You Remove Peeling Paint Before Fence Repair in Memphis, TN?
If your wood fencing is covered in patches of peeling paint or flaking wood stain, that's a big cause for concern. It's an early warning sign of water damage because when water starts to seep into the wood it causes timber to swell up and push on paint from underneath. Then paint lifts, blisters, and then cracks, peeling away in strips. Since the paint was giving your structure some moisture-resistance when it peels away even more water can get into the timber and raise its moisture content to the point that decay will start taking hold.
Don't worry—you don't have to head outside with a sander and start trying to sand that mess off your entire fence. Our team has a tool that is far more effective and efficient for removing peeling paint: pressure washing. Pressure washing machines are capable of producing pressures that range between 750 and 3,000 psi (pound-force per square inch). That's powerful enough to blast away peeling paint, algae growth, oil stains, grime build-up, and other stubborn substances most cleaning methods can't budge. It can be used on fences, decks, driveways, and dozens of other outdoor surfaces or items that could use a powerful clean to lift off dirt and grime. Pressure washing will strip off old paint, leaving a smooth clean surface to work on. Not up to the task of repainting and sealing? Your Memphis handyman can take care of that for you as a part of fence repair in Memphis, TN.
How Much Does It Cost for Fence Repair in Memphis, TN?
It is understandable that you want to know the cost of fence repair in Memphis, TN right now so you can plan your budget accordingly. However, because there are so many cost considerations at play, such as the type and extent of the damage, we can't give you an accurate fence repair cost until we've been able to assess the project in person. Once we see the damage, we can offer a competitive price for Memphis fence repair.
Trust the Pros at Mr. Handyman for Expert Fence Repair in Memphis, TN
Whether you are in Memphis, TN or a nearby area, you can count on the team at Mr. Handyman of the Memphis, TN area to deliver complete customer satisfaction. Give us a call today at (901) 479-1640 to find out more about our reliable handyman services, or to schedule an appointment for service.
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