Fence repair question

[nisryus]

So the gate started to sag and upon closer inspection, I found the rails and pickets have rotted and the bottom hinge has lost two of the screws.

Since we rarely use go through the fence gate, we didn't noticed this until today. When i measure the fence rails, they are 1.5in x 3.5in... but i thought most fence rails are 2x4?

i stopped by Lowes but they only have 2x4. Is 1.5x3.5 common as lumber for fence rails? Or am I losing it?

 

[esquared]

I knew is was less but .......


"The true measurement of a 2x4 is actually about 1.5″ x 3.5″. When the board is first rough sawn from the log, it is a true 2x4, but the drying process and planing of the board reduce it to the finished 1.5″ x 3.5″ size."

 

[nisryus]

I knew is was less but .......


"The true measurement of a 2x4 is actually about 1.5″ x 3.5″. When the board is first rough sawn from the log, it is a true 2x4, but the drying process and planing of the board reduce it to the finished 1.5″ x 3.5″ size."

nothin is ever useless. thanks for the explanation... time for a lowes trip in the morning

 

[Greenman]

Be sure to use the correct material. Redwood, cedar, or pressure treated. Cypress and white oak would work as well if you happen to have a really big bucket of money you need to get rid of.

 

[jmagg]

Douglas Fir is decent outdoors if you're opposed to PT

 

[nisryus]

Got the wood (cedar) from Lowes.... but hurt my back while working the yard.. so delaying the work on the gate until next week...

 

[nisryus]

Fixed the gate. But the posts are not stable as part of them have been rotten through (they are still holding but not securely).

Instead of install new posts, thinking of trying this post stabilizer.

Amazon.com

Anyone has experience with these? Looks east to install since the two posts didn't used concrete.

 

[Greenman]

Fixed the gate. But the posts are not stable as part of them have been rotten through (they are still holding but not securely).

Instead of install new posts, thinking of trying this post stabilizer.

Amazon.com

Anyone has experience with these? Looks east to install since the two posts didn't used concrete.

If the posts aren't set in concrete why bother with a questionable repair? Dig them out and replace them.

 

[spacejamz]

If the posts aren't set in concrete why bother with a questionable repair? Dig them out and replace them.

if you replace them, I would use metal poles...and then replace the other wooden ones as they rot out...

Here is a contraption I used to pull the part that was buried...I drilled some holes in the post stump, stuck some rebar through it and then put the floor jack over it, attach a chain to rebar and the stump came out easily LOL...

 

[BoomerD]

if you replace them, I would use metal poles...and then replace the other wooden ones as they rot out...

Here is a contraption I used to pull the part that was buried...I drilled some holes in the post stump, stuck some rebar through it and then put the floor jack over it, attach a chain to rebar and the stump came out easily LOL...View attachment 129901

I have a Little Giant ladder. I set it up in its tallest step ladder config...7', stick a couple of 2x6s across the highest double step, hook a piece of chain around those, hook my come-along to that, then I have an old 4' x1" endless nylon sling that I wrap around small tree stumps or broken fence posts and use the come-along to hoist them out of the hole. It's kind of tedious, but it works.

 

[Gardener]

Fixed the gate. But the posts are not stable as part of them have been rotten through (they are still holding but not securely).

Instead of install new posts, thinking of trying this post stabilizer.

Amazon.com

Anyone has experience with these? Looks east to install since the two posts didn't used concrete.

They aren't very stable, I used a few of them mid-span on a clients fence that is leaning due to post rot and failing footings. Not an ideal solution for a post with a gate hanging on it.

 

[Micrornd]

Here is a contraption I used to pull the part that was buried

Love it, ingenuity at it's finest 😉

 

[nisryus]

if you replace them, I would use metal poles...and then replace the other wooden ones as they rot out...

Here is a contraption I used to pull the part that was buried...I drilled some holes in the post stump, stuck some rebar through it and then put the floor jack over it, attach a chain to rebar and the stump came out easily LOL...View attachment 129901

All i can say is.. wow! 👍

 

[nisryus]

They aren't very stable, I used a few of them mid-span on a clients fence that is leaning due to post rot and failing footings. Not an ideal solution for a post with a gate hanging on it.

yeah, i figured i will need to replace the post.. but wife was trying to find the cheapest solution possible and that was recommended to her on one of the Chinese forum which she visits.