Memphis weather puts fences through a lot. Between summer storms, the occasional ice event, and years of heat and humidity, even a well-built fence is going to need attention at some point. When something goes wrong, the question homeowners usually face is whether to repair what’s there or start fresh. At 5 Ash Construction, we do both, and we’ll give you a straight answer on which one actually makes sense for your situation.
Common Fence Problems We See
Leaning posts are one of the most frequent issues we deal with. This usually happens when a post was set without enough concrete, when the concrete cracked and let moisture in, or when the wood at the base of the post rotted out. A leaning post doesn’t fix itself, and if it’s pulling the rails with it, it puts stress on adjacent sections and can cause a domino effect.
Storm damage is another common call, especially after the kind of wind events Memphis gets in the spring and fall. A tree limb through a fence section, panels that got pushed off their rails, or a gate that got bent by wind are all things we handle regularly.
Rot is a longer-term issue on wood fences. It typically starts at the post base where the wood meets the soil, and it can also show up on boards that don’t get enough airflow or that stay wet after rain. Rot spreads over time, so catching it early on a few boards is a lot better than dealing with it after it’s gotten into the posts and rails.
Repairing vs. Replacing
A fence that has isolated damage, a leaning post here, a few bad boards there, or a section that took storm damage, is usually a good candidate for repair. If the structure of the fence is sound overall and the problems are limited to specific areas, fixing those sections is the economical choice.
Replacement starts to make more sense when the damage is widespread, when the posts have rotted at the base across multiple sections, when the fence is already past its expected lifespan and showing its age throughout, or when a customer wants to change the material or the style entirely. There’s no point in putting repair money into a fence that’s going to need full replacement in a year or two anyway.
When we come out for a fence repair quote, we’ll look at the full fence, not just the obvious problem area. If there are issues developing in other sections that are going to become problems soon, we’ll point them out so you can make an informed decision.
Post Replacement
Replacing a fence post is more involved than replacing boards. The old post needs to come out, which means breaking up or drilling out the existing concrete footing. The new post goes into a fresh hole with new concrete and needs time to cure before the fence is put back together. A properly set replacement post will hold just as long as an original post. A post that’s rushed or set without enough concrete will lean again in a year or two.
What About After a Storm
If your fence took damage in a storm, it’s worth documenting the damage with photos before any repairs are made. Some homeowner’s insurance policies cover fence damage from storms, and having a clear record helps if you’re going to file a claim. We can provide documentation of the damage and a detailed repair estimate if that’s useful for the insurance process.
Reach Out for a Repair Quote
5 Ash Construction handles fence repair across Memphis, Bartlett, Germantown, Collierville, Cordova, Olive Branch, and Southaven. Whether it’s a single post or an entire damaged section, reach out through our contact page or call us to schedule a time to take a look.
