A leaning fence can compromise your home’s security, giving intruders an easy way to your yard. It could be a safety hazard if it’s leaning towards a public area, such as a sidewalk. What’s more, a leaning fence is aesthetically unappealing and can ruin the visual appeal of your home, lowering its value.

While you may not prevent your fence from leaning, you should not leave it slanting for too long. Luckily, there are various tips and tricks to fix the issue—and this is what this post is all about. Remember, your DIY skills may be good for minor leaning issues, but major fixes require professional intervention from a local fencing company.

Common causes of a leaning fence

Slanted fence issues can affect all types of fences, but they are common in wooden fences. The causes can be natural or unnatural. Here are common causes of leaning fences;

• Poor workmanship: A poorly installed fence will lean prematurely. This is why you need a professional local fencing company for fence installation.
• Weather: Heavy rains, high winds, or snow can all cause a fence to lean. The strong winds will push against your fence, causing it to shift, while the heavy rain will saturate the ground and weaken the fence post’s foundation.
• Tree roots: Tree roots can put pressure against the fence posts, tilting them.
• Soil shifting: If the soil around the fence becomes loose, the posts may lean or even fall over.

Assessing the severity of a leaning fence

Before initiating a leaning fence repair, you must assess the problem to know if it’s a simple fix or whether you need to hire a professional fencing company.

Start by determining the degree of the lean. A slight lean may not be a cause for concern, but a significant lean may indicate a more severe problem.

Next, check the condition of your fence, including any signs of wear and tear, rot, or damage. A poorly maintained fence will be more susceptible to leaning.

Additionally, evaluate the risk of collapse and the potential effects it may cause to people, pets, and other structures in the surrounding area.

DIY solutions for minor leaning issues

If your fence is leaning slightly and has no potential hazards, it might need a quick fix. Here are some DIY tips to address minor fence leaning issues;

• Straighten the fence posts
• Reattach rails to firm posts
• Dig new post holes
• Use a brace to pull the leaning posts back into position
• Install extra posts or use concrete to add additional support

When to call in the professionals

Every homeowner with DIY skills might be able to repair a slightly leaning fence. But when is it time to call in the professionals? Here are some signs you need a local fencing company for your leaning fence;

• Your fence is leaning significantly: If it is close to falling over, it’s best to call a professional fencing company.
• Your fence is old or damaged: If it is leaning due to age or damage, you should have it replaced by a professional fencing company.
• Your fence sits on a slope or uneven terrain: If you have a problem accessing your fence comfortably due to its location, you might want to leave the job to the professionals for your safety.

Preventing future leaning issues

Dealing with fencing issues now and then can be frustrating and costly for homeowners. But with proper fence maintenance, you won’t have to deal with fencing issues. Here are some tips for proper fence maintenance;

• Inspect your fence regularly for signs of damage
• Repair minor damages promptly before they turn into big problems
• Keep the area around the fence clear: Trim back plants that are encroaching on the fence, as they may cause damage over time
• Add extra support to your fence to make the poles strong

Conclusion

A well-installed and maintained fence offers security to your home and also adds to its curb appeal. However, over time, your fence may lean due to weather, poor installation, and soil erosion, preventing it from serving its purpose right.

Therefore, it’s important to address minor leaning fence issues before they get out of hand. While you can repair a leaning fence yourself, always call in the professionals if it's leaning significantly or there’s extensive damage.