Cracked Vinyl Fence? Here's How to Repair Vinyl Fence - Upicket Fencing

Vinyl fences are widely used by homeowners because they are very durable and require very little maintenance. Nonetheless, even vinyl fences are not immune to damage. For example, they can crack. The good thing about cracked vinyl fences is that they can be easily repaired, meaning you do not have to replace the whole fence.

Causes of Cracked Vinyl Fences

Several factors can contribute to cracks in vinyl fences, including:

• Impact: This is due to physical contact with objects such as lawnmowers, weed whackers, or even flying sports balls.
• Temperature Extremes: High temperatures can make the vinyl material rigid and more prone to cracking. On the other hand, fluctuating temperatures can also cause a lot of pressure on the vinyl fences, which will result in cracking.
• Settling: The shifting ground beneath the fence puts pressure on the panels, causing them to develop cracks over time.
• Poor Installation: Other fence types may be less prone to cracking than a poorly installed vinyl fence.

How to Repair a Cracked Vinyl Fence?

The procedure of fixing a cracked vinyl fence will depend on the extent of the crack that is present on the fence. Here’s a general guide to repairing minor and major cracks:

Minor Cracks

Small cracks below half an inch can be repaired using a vinyl fence repair kit that can be bought over the counter. Such kits consist of a vinyl adhesive, a curing agent, and a piece of mesh that will be used to strengthen the surface. Here’s a general overview of the steps involved in using a vinyl fence repair kit:

• Clean the Crack: A wire brush or sandpaper is recommended to remove debris around the crack. Clean the area of dirt, debris, and moisture.
• Roughen the Surface: Use sandpaper to slightly roughen the surface of the crack so that the epoxy will stick well to it.
• Apply the Adhesive: Follow the instructions on the kit to spread the vinyl adhesive on the crack.
• Attach the Mesh: Apply adhesive to the piece of mesh and place it over the crack to make it stick well.
• The Curing Agent: Follow the curing agent in the kit and spread it on the mesh.
• Allow the Repair to Cure: Follow the guidelines provided in the repair kit to allow the repair to heal fully. This usually requires several hours to complete.

Major Crack

If the crack is large or spans from top to bottom of the fence panel, you will need to put in more effort to repair it. At times, you can cover the crack with a piece of scrap vinyl. I hope that it will be enough to fix the problem. However, if the crack is big or multiple, then replacing the whole fence panel is advisable. Here’s a general overview of the steps involved in replacing a vinyl fence panel:

• Gather Your Tools: To remove the old panel, you will need a saw to cut it, a screwdriver to remove the rails from it, a level to ensure the new panel is level and a drill to fix the new panel to the rails.
• Cut Away the Damaged Panel: Using the saw, trim the damaged panel from the rails as carefully as possible.
• Slide in the New Panel: Slide the new fence panel between the rails by sliding it in.
• Secure the Panel: Screw the new panel to the rails.
• Level the Panel: Level the new panel to ensure it is horizontal.

Want A Beautiful and Secure Fence For Your Home Or Business?

UPicket Fencing has over 18 years of experience providing custom fencing solutions for residential and commercial properties. They offer a variety of fence styles and installation, repair, and gate services. So, what are you waiting for? Contact UPicket Fencing today for a free consultation.