Emergency Garden Fence Repair After High Winds

It's important that when a section of fence comes down due to wind it's quickly stabilised so it doesn't progressively bring down even more due to it's own weight.
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[@vrdrew63]

There's a saying in the woodworking community: "You can never have too many clamps". For a reason. That fence repair job would have been SOOOOO much easier with a couple of decent-sized Irwin Quick-Grip bar clamps to hold the various components in place while you hammered or screwed them together. No matter what your level of DIY skill or interest - every homeowner needs (at least) a couple of decent clamps. A clamp is actually better than a mate or assistant on the job. Clamps never complain that you've blackened their fingernails with an errant hammer blow! Much respect and thanks for your channel. I've used several of your videos as I've transitioned to home ownership here in the UK from the US.

[@petrolhead0387]

I was thinking the same thing. Done a similar job on my mother's fence last year, but didn't have enough clamps, ratchet straps worked even better to hold them in place while I screwed in the braces.

[@philtebble4390]

Nice job Stuart. Could you have nailed the wood on to the other side of the stake so you could nail it right handed facing the other way ?🤔👍

[@richardstamper5630]

It's also a GOOD plan to put some post tops on so that the rain doesn't soak into the post. These can easily be made with a chop saw plus they look very decorative. Just before fixing them I cut an equivalent size piece of plastic sheet to sandwich between the top and the post. Perfect.

[@pjb5262]

You should have used your dewalt impact driver and screws, secured the diagonal board to the stake first, then level the post while attaching the diagonal board in the correct position. Just an FYI. Looking forward to more content in the new year. Cheers and Merry Christmas.

[@digitalboxjellychironex3605]

It’s Sunday morning and I have to fix the fence after a few panels blew over. A notification came up for this video just as I was thinking about how to repair it. Thanks!

[@RB-xg2vz]

Where we live people have slatted fence panels with very small gaps so you still have privacy but the wind can pass through. Otherwise the concrete fence posts are rock solid but the timber panels just bow and then break

[@mrporridge2304]

Love the fact you're out there in the elements with a spirit level on a temporary fix! 👍💪 Had to do something similar in my garden a few years back... howling wind, driving rain, head torch, driver, screws and a wife shouting at me it doesn't need to be straight and upright! 😂 Great job Stuart, hope you and yours had a brilliant Christmas, all the best for the new year to come.

[@ChrisFredriksson]

You did a great temporary repair here. Great video Stuart! If I may wish, could you make video on fixing the fence in a couple of months time? Would love to see it! I know you've sort of done this already, but why not another video? I'd love to see it and I'm sure many others as well. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 🎄✨❤

[@progoproductions]

Cheap alternative for nail gun in this specific case is use a quick clamp as that can be your third hand and then you can use your dominant hand to nail after.

[@stretchclogg]

I had to do exactly the same thing. To save hammering in lefthanded tied a rope around the top to pull the post level-ish then stood on the rope whilst nailing.

[@drewukdrew]

Could have used clamps to hold wood while hammering

[@groovedwareman]

Hi good video thanks - I use a couple of 6 inch G clamps at the top and bottom of the strut to temporarily hold it in place to the post and stake whilst I ferret around for my hammer and nails ( or drill, screws and screwdiver) or go and have a cup of tea. Easy to adjust, too.

[@c.a.g.1977]

good job Stuart! And I'm sure I speak for most if not all of your viewers: we certainly appreciate all the effort you put into your videos: the filming and editing: truly top notch! For you and Mrs Proper DIY: have a merry Christmas and all the best for the new year!

[@rodwilkins1614]

Creep

[@paultilly]

@@rodwilkins1614 loooooooooooool

[@stuarthutton3013]

Great timing Stuart on this tutorial, thank you. Many of us waking up today in a similar position. Merry Christmas.

[@GeneLake001]

Last birthday my wife got me a nail gun. I think she was sick of me complaining in situations as I see you dealing with here. A complete game changer! Great video as usual. Happy Christmas & new year to you and yours and thank you for the time and effort you regularly put in helping us DIY’s.

[@mrnormski9005]

My temporary fencing repair like this is still in after 10yr & the fence hasn't moved 😅 When we had the large allotment when did any fence we braced it & usually built a lean-to on it, a fence & storage. The main problem with modern fencing, especially with feather edge boards or panels it doesn't let the wind through, like a picket fence, so it takes the full force of the wind.

[@martinmorgan9]

When we moved into our house in Lincolnshire two years ago, we wondered why the former owner had chosen to erect criss-crossed lattice fencing with concrete posts. After seeing historical photos of the garden and experiencing Lincolnshire winds, we know EXACTLY why he made the change! My wife isn't keen on the reduced privacy but as the main house DIY'er, I've come to appreciate them! 😄

[@terencekusnierek7358]

A whole night of mega winds (xmas eve morn 2023). Looked out the kitchen window at first light with dread and I have the same issue (identical). Looks like I will be busy myself Bah humbug !. Thanks for the heads-up for a quick fix, looking through the garage as I speak, wood, saw, nails, sledge hammer, hmmm? Where did I put my DeWalt gloves lol.

[@sambartholomew5493]

My company always uses stainless steel nails with all fencing. Treatment eats through galvanised nails. Never use screws with fencing either as winds blowing the panels back and fourth will snap screws in no time at all. Any posts used for fencing will always need replacing at some point the contractor weren’t being naughty soft wood posts life span you be lucky to get 10-15 years with a garden with good drainage. So it’s not necessarily the posts a lot of garden are removing plant life and trees. Usually a drainage issue especially being in the uk where it rains 200 days of the year

[@martinmorgan9]

To straighten up the fence temporarily beforecadding the strut, I'd had screwed a simple block on the OUTSIDE then wedged a temporary outer strut in compression. That would have made it much easier to make final adjustments before nailing the inner strut. Its a good trick if you haven't got long arns or the internal hedge is just too dense to fight with.

[@Rhino_Aus]

An easy way to do this if the fence isn't fully over is to use rope and a truckers hitch to pull it tight instead of the pailing for the bracing. A small warning would be to always check the ground before driving a stake; I had to brace the broken fence when I first moved into our new house and put a star picket straight through my buried charged downpipe. Thought I'd hit a water pipe when water started bubbling up from the ground!

[@stevenjones1009]

Concrete posts are the way forward much stronger than timber and they don’t rot in the ground 👍

[@swally291]

The key is wrapping the bottom of the post with denso tape before you concrete it in. Remember to bring the denso above ground level. I have fence posts that have been in 23 years and still good. My other fence, that a contractor installed 14 years ago, the unwrapped post snapped last week after 14 years.

[@iancoombs4324]

hi stuart thanks for your entertainment and great ideas for 2023 look forward to 2024 merry christmas and a happy new year to you and your family

[@janinew233]

I just had the same. I've got a field at the side of me, so I braced it on the side it was falling over which I found easier than trying to pull it forwards. Plus I didn't really have the option to do it the way you have. It's only temporary anyway

[@csehszlovakze]

great for a quick fix, but long term you should just forget about wooden posts and replace them with metal ones

[@roybrown5505]

Excellent video as ever! I've had the identical problem a couple of weeks ago and followed this exact process to leave a full repair until spring.

[@johnedwards8834]

I would replace all you posts with metal Durapost posts. I have read that they can withstand winds up to 110mph and that would be good for the exposed position of your fence. I have done a fence with them and would never go back to the hassle of wooden posts, having to pain the bottoms of the post with butumen paint to prolong the life of the post, smaller hole to dig plus think Durapost got a 25 year guarantee. I am very pleased with my fence using them. I hope this helps.

[@jmayes36]

Did Father Christmas bring you a Nail gun for Christmas?

[@jamesmott5452]

Merry Christmas Stuart to you and your family have a great break we look forward to seeing you in the New year

[@martinhunt6004]

Well done Stuart! A great job , I shall look forwards to the forthcoming fencing video. Most splendid.

[@burnmw1987]

As someone else mentioned, you could have held the fence with your left hand and had your right hand free to hammer the nails in. Or you could have used a nail gun, not sure if you've got one as you don't seem to have mentioned it 😂. Merry Christmas!

[@alangordon3283]

If you had watched you wouldn’t have commented 🤷‍♂️

[@dg656good]

Someone didn't get the sarcasm

[@burnmw1987]

@@dg656good - Yes, I suspect that is the case. Or at least I hope it is!

[@keitho77]

Nice simple repair Stuart. To save the need for three hands, perhaps nail the securing board to the stake first with one nail. Then it can rotate around that nail when securing to the fence post, allowing for movement to get it plumb. Also, would you consider drilling several 25-30mm holes in the fence to allow air to blow through it as opposed to pushing it over? You still have the hedging to provide screening covering up the holes. HTH 😉

[@muddin8097]

Was thinking the same. A couple of clamps would have helped too.

[@steved8038]

Merry Christmas to you and yours,looking forward. To new projects next year.

[@geoffbrett291]

Had you put the bracing on the other side of the posts you would have had your right hand free for the boshing of the nails

[@thedj5914]

Merry Christmas to you and the family & Happy New Year too 🎉 🎄 all the best for 24 🙌 from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@LeeGlin]

Merry Christmas and a happy new year to you and your family, all the best for 2024. Can't wait for your new vides.

[@ruaraidhmcdonald-walker9524]

Sod’s law…. Merry Christmas Stuart! PS Mrs has the DeWalt 2nd fix nail gun under the tree. Her face will be a picture!

[@colinwood1337]

Get yourself a left handed hammer Stuart🤣 Thanks for a great year of diy tips and Merry Christmas 🎉

[@boofuls]

😂😂 ...but hang on .. can't you get left or right handed roofers\slate 🔨😂

[@simonmiddleton4977]

Hi Stuart, thank you for the excellent content this year! Wishing you seasons greetings 🎄😃👍

[@deanwellerassociates]

If anyone deserves a nail gun it's you Sir. Thank you for delivering great content this year, although its the humor that keeps me and Mrs W watching.

[@andyevans8585]

Genuinely had this problem with my fence about 2 months ago and only watched this to see what you suggested. You did exactly what I did 😆

[@allandevaux4123]

If you use a length of rope and a stake to bring the post up vertically plumb, you can measure and fix the bracing timber accurately without struggling.

[@kevinbutchart7187]

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you and your family!!

[@du7ch384]

Nice red gloves, glad your hands were toasty warm during the repair Stuart, But at least you're not sucking on the red corporate teat for all its worth, when something's on your channel we know its because it's worth it and unbias and not an underhanded shill advert in return for free stuff.

[@smoggydrones5664]

With our love of yellow tools I hope they get the many hints lol . All the best

[@dieselbushcraft1299]

Happy Christmas PD. Have a great 2024 full of DIY Projects.

[@OldMan_PJ]

Merry Christmas, we had our fence replaced earlier this year and had the new fence posts reinforced with metal fence post braces that run the entire height of the post. Our area has sandy soil and termites and unbraced posts don't last more than 5-10 years.

[@lisahodges8299]

Very responsible man, grow more trees. They form wind breaks, it may not help you but will help others around. Birdy

[@spiderhead1494]

Merry Christmas to you and your family Stuart.

[@dougdavidson175]

Merry Christmas to you & yours. Take care & stay safe.

[@TheFleming98]

Exact thing has happened to be this week. Still too windy in the North East to sort it out. Hopefully in the New Year

[@alangordon3283]

Similar to what happened to me a couple of years ago.

[@joolz989]

Merry Christmas. There seems to be a lot of bulk bags at the end of the garden. Big 2024 project inbound per chance???

[@sharonmc5192]

Just wanted to say a big thank you Stuart as this video saved our bacon today as I used this exact method to stabilise our fence after storm Henk destabilised 2 of our fence posts. As we have a several metre long fence, thank goodness I spotted 2 posts were wobbling as if the whole lot came down, it would have cost us a fortune! I’m hoping tomorrow to buy some concrete spur support posts (although that might involve the purchase of an SDS drill as well to dig out the existing foundations!). Anyway, long story short, thank you for this video! It really helped 👍🏼

[@ProperDIY]

I'm glad it's been useful.

[@tayred81]

Always a good explanation in your projects. Mary Christmas 🤶🏼🇸🇪

[@jamesquinn6614]

Thanks Stuart, very timely video as I had a post fail yesterday and used your method to brace the post until i can replace.👍

[@andymerrett]

It does amaze me that you don't have a nail gun given how much other equipment you have :)

[@colingoode3702]

Very timely video Stuart. With all this wind I bet there are quite a few people in a similar position at the moment. As for nails, my dad always used to say, "if you can use a nail, use a screw instead". Easier to remove when needed. Great job as always. Fence vid coming in the new year then!!

[@russdrummond7292]

I was always taught “Nails for shear, screws for tension”.

[@andykennedy2891]

Nice work... your efforts and channel is very much appreciated

[@jmorv8866]

Great work, Merry Christmas!

[@barryhaines1727]

Hi I would of used a g clamp just to hold it but great video thanks happy Christmas

[@stephenjames6534]

Great tip and repair stuart. I believe santa is in screwfix now ordering your nail gun. Thanks for all your videos this year, happy Christmas 🎄🎁

[@6panel300]

Hi Stuart, if you had gone the other side of the stakes you could have nailed them right handed instead of cack handed. Can we expect to see a new video next year about your new nail gun purchase? Any way enough mickey taking, another great video. Merry Christmas and a happy New year. Keep up the good work in 2024.

[@paulvickers1796]

Merry Christmas mate from Down Under. I wished I had neighbours like you and Keith when I lived in Blighty but now I have to take your tips from Australia. Merry Christmas mate 👍

[@lesthiele4921]

Hi Stuart, that was a quick temporary fix, great idez, maybe Santo will bring you a nail gun for Christmas, Very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year to you and your family, best regards from a Kiwi living in Australia

[@philgornall]

Did exactly the same as this last year with those ridiculous winds last April. I had 5 posts go down. The winds the next day pulled the lot out. With how wet the ground is, this fix will be lucky to last 3 months unless we get zero winds. Good luck !

[@FishPieTV]

Thanks for the video! Just braced my fence which blew over in the wind this week. I don’t have to rush to get it fixed now ! Also some unused decking screws worked wonders instead of nails

[@Quaker521]

Merry Christmas Stuart and thanks for all of the videos throughout 2023.

[@garulusglandarius6126]

Excellent as always Stuart 👍 Merry Christmas and a happy New Year to you and your family 👍👍

[@dennisaskew7004]

Nice one and well done Keith for sending him some gloves

[@XL-5117]

By the way merry Christmas and happy new year Stuart, look forward to seeing you next year 😀

[@tureq85]

looking forward to nail gun review in the new year!! have a good Xmas!

[@Offcut55]

I have done, more or less the same but I only have a narrow garden so I also tide it to my other fence post opposite

[@michaelplays2449]

Time to hit the mobile bar Stuart !!!!!! Great video, Merry Christmas

[@richardphillips3303]

I thank you for your educational videos throughout the year, not to mention your humour, and hope that you have a lovely Christmas with your family 😊

[@malcolmbradshaw5749]

Not heard of the third hand - speed clamps and screw it 😂😂

[@figrollin]

Finagle's Law is an extension of Murphy's (or Sod's, as we know it). That is, "Anything that can go wrong, will-at the worst possible moment".

[@stevehansler9014]

Hi Stuart great video as always. Would like to wish you and your family a Happy Christmas and a very Happy New year

[@SuperPrufrock]

I wish I'd seen this before my neighbours fence blew down across my side access. ! As is turned out my neighbour kindly replaced the rotted post and refixed the panels to it. It still took me an hour of heavy work on my own to release the panels and regain access to my back garden.

[@teresabell1014]

You need to make sure your wife and kids see this video so they know how much you need a nail gun . My husband has been a carpenter for over 50 years and his dad before him. He has every tool known to mankind. But yet somehow he still needs something everytime we go to the hardware store.😊 Merry Christmas to you and your family!

[@phineusphineas]

Drive an iron U post into the ground next to the broken post, then attach the wooden post to the U post using three inch deck screws. It will last for years and you do not impinge on the yard with a trip hazard or mowing obstacle.

[@spooner1949]

Wouldn't it have been easier to put a nail in the stud end first (right handed) after getting it rightly aligned, then fixing to the fence post (also right handed)?

[@andrewplumb6544]

A quick clamp would have helped too

[@davidgraemesmith1980]

Eye screw in the bracing post/stake and a length of rope with a broomstick turn handle to tension the post to plumb, eye screw can be left in to make it easier pulling out the bracing post/stake with a car jack and plank footplate

[@stephenweston1807]

Ah, the old "temporary fix". I've got them all over my house and garden! 🤔🤫

[@user-jp6tj1pd4e]

Have you thought of using a couple of temporary clamps to help hold the timber while you nail up. Bit of a bodge job ,!

[@davidoloughlin5676]

Thanks for posting this video, it gave me the inspiration to get of my a$$ and temporarily repair my front fence, surprisingly strong fix, will hold for now until I can be bothered to properly fix it

[@JamesBrown-yn7xr]

Happy new year, thank you for showing real DIY problems, (assuming you will show us how to fix properly later) But yes DIY is mostly harder than professional work, because it is not about ripping out and starting again but working with what you've got.

[@barbarawiddowson635]

I hope Santa brings you a nail gun for Christmas Stuart! Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

[@flemmingaaberg4457]

Perhaps attaching the braces to the stakes with screws would have been easier and use a clamp to hold the fence vertical - no need for a nail gun.

[@HarryK16]

Great video as always Stuart! I’d also take 1No. feather board off each of the panels to allow wind to penetrate through reducing the swept area - at least in the temporary condition until you’ve carried out a full fix - exciting stuff 😀 I’ve learnt plenty from you over the years!

[@johnb48]

Another great video! Something additional to help would be to pop a nail in on both the top of the fence post and ground post. Straight things up and tie some strong string to the nails to hold things in place to give you time to pop in some nails in the brace. I feel your pain trying to hammer left handed.

[@Loosehead]

Can I offer a suggestion - do the lower nail first, and use it as a pivot when your attention is up at the top end with the spirit level.

[@staffordian]

Not sure if you've ever thought about it, Stuart, but a nail gun would have been very useful 😂

[@BobJohnson_]

Merry Christmas

[@TheEulerID]

I have three posts to replace at my mother's house in the next couple of days, not a job I'm looking forward to as it involves getting out the concrete breaker which is a handful at the best of times. All part rotted and snapped at the base. Because of there they are positioned, then stabilisation is not really and option. So, a few hours heavy and muddy work to come before New Year. Unfortunately, the sort of posts that the DIY outfits sell these days rot all too easily, possibly because environmental rules limit the preservatives that can be used these days.

[@twentysevenlitres]

A friend who likes Milwaukee... Mr Brown?

[@Cianan-vw1lb]

Maybe also a couple of those one-handed/trigger clamps to hold the pieces in place for you. I have a fence with some of this going on, every other post. I'd like to rebuild it in place. Not sure how to do that yet. Great video! Thanks.

[@RedlandShed]

Admire the stoicism. Have a great Christmas. You’ve earned an extra mince pie.

[@ferguscosgrave7510]

Happy Christmas

[@saileshramcharan3445]

Next time use an ordinary woodwork clamp to hold brace onto spike then nail it comfortably with the right hand. Nice video

[@XL-5117]

Good job Stuart. Perhaps if you had tied the posts first then nailed them? Just a thought, it’s something my old dad would do, especially in the wind when he was up against it. He would use the triangle method to strengthen fences as a permanent fix.

[@mickeyfilmer5551]

I got myself an electric nailer off Amazon a year ago - I don't know how I ever managed so long without one- Really really Useful!

[@stephen-boddy]

Had an end post completely snap at the base. My fix was a bit more elaborate. A metal post spike into the ground, a short stubby vertical post, then a horizontal and 45 degree brace from the stubby post to the collapsed post. It is still there, and still solid 3 or 4 years later. 🙂