Water exposure eventually causes metal fences to rust or corrode.
Metal fences come in different styles and materials. The method used to repair these fences does not change significantly. The repair methods differ noticeably from wood fences due to different material properties and repair concerns. The process of realigning fencing and creating a new concrete base is the only aspect that is nearly identical between the two. Significant physical damage, such as cracks, is rarely repairable in metal fences. The entire section of fence usually needs to be replaced. This is usually not a concern because most styles of metal fence are more capable of resisting damage than wood fences. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Post Realignment
1. Dig around the concrete base of the post that needs to be realigned with a shovel.
2. Smash the old concrete base with a sledgehammer and chisel or a mining pick. You do not need to completely remove the concrete base, but you want to remove as much as possible.
3. Remove and discard the broken pieces of concrete.
4. Adjust the fence section attached to the post so it is aligned with the rest of the metal fence. Prop it in this position using bricks or any similar heavy object that can hold the fence still.
5. Mix the concrete mix with water. You need to follow the instructions that came with the concrete for the correct proportions. Different concrete mixes can require different quantities of water. This is important because adding too much or too little water causes the concrete to not set correctly.
6. Pour the concrete mix in the hole around the fence post. Wait 48 hours for the concrete to set completely before removing the bricks.
Removing Rust, Paint and Dirt
7. Wash the fence with a mixture of water and dishwashing soap to remove dirt. Dry the fence thoroughly before proceeding.
8. Scrape away rust using a wire brush. You should be able to remove all of the rust in this manner. If you are unable to scrape away all of the rust, it is usually an indication that section of the fence is not repairable and needs to be replaced. Most metal fencing is made of thin pieces of metal, with larger pieces being made of hollow tubes rather than solid pieces of metal. Anything beyond surface rust could compromise the structural integrity of the fence.
9. Scrape away all of the paint if you plan to repaint the entire fence. This step is optional. It is difficult to get the color of new and old paint to match, so it is often required to repaint the entire fence to get an even color.
10. Wash and dry the fence again to remove any remaining loose particles of rust still on the fence.
11. Repaint the fence as desired.
Tags: concrete base, away rust, entire fence, metal fence, metal fences, needs replaced