A privacy fence keeps out pests, shields you from the prying eyes of others or hides unsightly views outside of your yard. But having a privacy fence means you have to do some periodic maintenance, replacing broken boards, called slats, and even whole panels. It is a good idea to have one or two helpers, as the panels can be quite heavy, but the process is not labor intensive.
Instructions
1. You should examine the existing privacy fence carefully. In many cases, you may be able to simply replace individual slats, which can save you a lot of money on fence repair. For those sections that you need to completely replace, use the flat bar and a hammer to remove the old nails at each end of the panel. This reveals the nails that attach the cross supports on back of the slats to the posts. Remove those nails from each of the cross members. If you prefer, you can pry the panels loose with a crow bar, but it is still important that you remove all the nails, for safety reasons.
2. Inspect your fence posts carefully. Look for signs of termites or decay in the posts, especially at ground level. Use a nail and poke into any dubious spots to test the solidity of the wood. If you have damaged posts, it will be much easier to replace them while the panels are removed than to have to repeat the entire process at a later date. For the best results, dig post holes 12 inches larger than the post size, and fill around posts with concrete.
3. Attach a string between the two end posts of the fence being replaced, across the top edge of where the fence panels will go. Stretch the string taut, pulling it until there is no sag in the line. Measure down from this line and grade the path of the fence, removing any bumps and filling dips that would upset the level of the fence when it is installed.
4. Remove the two outside slats of your new fence panels. Stand a panel up where it will be placed, with the top of the slats just touching the string. Attach the cross members to the fence posts using 16d nails. Step back several yards from the panel and observe how well it lines up with the panels on either side of it as you go. Try to keep the slat tops as close to the string as you can, but keeping the actual fence line straight is the primary concern.
5. Use 6d nails to attach the individual slats that you removed to hang the panel. Replace any single slats that need to be replaced in other parts of the fence. You can paint the fence, or allow the new slats and panels to weather naturally. New panels will resemble existing untreated panels after several months.
Tips Warnings
Pick up a few extra fence slats, and allow them to weather with the fence for three to six weeks, and then store them for future repairs. Use slats from removed fence panels to build planters or decorative displays for your garden and patio.
