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How do I improve wonky and ugly fence?

Our backyard fence is very wonky, and very ugly. I want to make it look better - and my plan is to paint it black, and plant/pleach some trees. I’ll also underplant with various shrubs.

Is there anything I can do about how wonky it is? The middle post in particular is really leaning forward into our yard.

One photo is the look I’m going for. Other is what we have to work with!

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Comments

EricL

Hello @KiwiKirsty

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us and thanks for sharing your question about your fence.

If the fence post has totally rotted just above the soil, I suggest looking at the Simpson Strong-Tie 90mm Fence Post Repair and Reinforcement E-Z Mender. Here is a link to the installation guide - Timber Fence Post Repair is Easy with the E-Z Mender™. However, if you are in NZ, it might need to be ordered at the special orders desk. Otherwise, I can only suggest removing the old post and installing a new one.

Here is a link to our best advice: How do you spray paint a fence?

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

KiwiKirsty

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/51331#Comment_51331

Thanks Eric! No rot, just a heck of a lot of lean… the fence has become warped over time and neglect 🙁

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/87804#Comment_87804

Hi @KiwiKirsty

If that is the condition of the post, I can only suggest replacing it in order to straighten up the fence. I recommend speaking to your neighbour so that you can discuss your plans with them.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Dave-1

Good Evening @KiwiKirsty

Thats not a bad looking fence tho I cant really pick the lean on it from the photo, is it that kink near the trampoline?

Any chance of a few photos to show the warp?

I would be tempted to remove the post that is out of true and replace it. Squaring up the fence in the process. Do you know if there is any other reason the fence has tilted? It looks resonably new and I would have expected it to stay solid. (is the ground soaked at all near the fenceline?)

Dave

Nailbag

Hi @KiwiKirsty

If the fence is leaning forward and/or backwards then the issue is in the stability of the main posts. The best long term solution would be to replace these posts that are correctly in sound to the right depth and concreted in to place. These two points could be lacking in their original installation. There is also the very obvious difference in height from the left (higher) to the right.

As the photos indicate to me that the fence materials don't look to be very old, that perhaps this was never a professional installation in the first place. This would explain all of my points mentioned.

I would be inclined to first talk to your back neighbour to find out if they know the fence history and to gain their financial assistance in having it rectified as they have 50% responsibility of ownership.

Nailbag

KiwiKirsty

Here are some more photos!
it has a couple of points that it leans forward - the worse is the centre 3 posts.

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/51350#Comment_51350

Hello @KiwiKirsty

Thank you for sharing those extra photos of your fence. It appears that a post has come off the footing making it look like the post has grown taller. I propose replacing it so that it will be a long-term repair. If you can have a discussion with your neighbour in regards to replacing it. It will at least prepare them and not come as a shock when the trades come in to disassemble the post.

Eric

Dave-1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/51350#Comment_51350

Good Afternoon @KiwiKirsty

Thank you for the photos 🙂

How wobbly is your fence? Can you push it and it moves?

Repairing the fence might be resonably involved tho I think I would attempt it as once solved then you wont need to worry about it anymore.

The underlying reason why its become wonky probarly needs to be sorted first. Those bricks supporting that post make me think that there is little connection between the post and soil and possibly why its on a lean. (ground also appears it may be waterlogged)

You could put some new posts in halfway between the existing posts and attach the fence to them but without solving the reason why its gone the way it has you may be expanending effort for little result.

I do like the idea of painting the fence black and planting the peach trees out, Maybe make sure where the posts are you avoid the trees as they may lift the fence as they grow. I wouldnt line your side of the fence with something flat, the black will blend the fence in nicely. Giving the orchard an edge that seperates the lawn from the bed the trees will be in will help out the growing of the trees in the early years.

Dave

KiwiKirsty

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/87817#Comment_87817

Waterlogged ground = water blasting + tropical cyclone!

The bricks are just to stop the cat from escaping through the gap!

Yes, the fence moves when pushed. Ill share a photo below how it looks from the neighbours side - it’s sitting on a retaining wall - I think the issues are from the original construction of the fence

Dave-1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/109488#Comment_109488

Good Morning @KiwiKirsty

If the fence moves when pushed then definently it falls towards the time to replace it. Plus the raised height and retaining wall.... Yeah I would be talking to the neighbour about sharing the costs of a new fence.

If the ground is waterlogged behind the retaining wall on your side then I would suggest drainage be the first step towards rectifing the issue.

Dave

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