We've been living in a 28-year-old house for two years now, and our backyard has a private fence built by the previous owner, along with some massive thuja trees that block the view of the fence from our yard. Recently, our neighbor pointed out some broken panels on the fence, which are hidden behind the trees and can't be seen from our side. They insist that the fence is fully our responsibility, even though they offered to help with costs but never followed through. We really need to keep the fence in good shape for our big dog, but we're unsure how to proceed since access to the damaged area is only through our neighbor's yard. Some posts are rotten, and the trees are pushing against the fence, causing it to lean. We've thought about adding T-posts for support instead of completely rebuilding. We're planning to stay here for another 5-6 years, so what are our options? Is it reasonable to just patch the leaning sections, use alternative materials, or are there any liability concerns if the fence fails? Looking for some advice!
3 Answers
I think incorporating the trees into the fence could work, but it sounds like that's not an option because of your dog. You’ll need access for repairs, so I'd stick with your idea of T-posts next to the rotten ones for support. If you have any pictures of the fence and damage, they could really help in getting more specific advice!
Just saw your pics—definitely gives better insight. The fence is clearly in a tough spot with those trees. Let's see what we can brainstorm here!
For those rotten posts, you might want to look into reinforcement brackets. They can be driven next to the existing posts, which is a less intensive solution compared to building everything from scratch. Just make sure the posts aren’t set in concrete first! As for liability, it can be tricky—if your fence falls down in a storm, it might fall under 'act of God.' But since you're aware of the issue now, it could put you at risk if you don't repair it and something happens. Also, check if the tree branches are pushing against the fence—maybe you can prune them for better access. And if your neighbor's okay with it, maybe think about a shorter fence with a gate behind the trees to keep your dog safe!
Thanks for the link! That's a solid suggestion. The only thing is, given the age of the fence, I'm worried if I just patch it up, I’ll be stuck with constant repairs since the sections might start failing one after another. Might have to look into a complete new install eventually. Also, my lab loves to go under those thuja trees, so removing the fence or even reducing it isn't an option for us.
Gotcha! A complete redo might be the smartest play if you're dealing with such an old fence. If not, you'll be stuck fixing up sections over and over. Definitely take a good look at those posts, too!
If you’re not planning on staying forever, why not consider a chain link fence? It’s cheaper and wouldn't be as much of a hassle with the trees blocking views already. Plus, it could send a message to the neighbor about dividing fence expenses! You can cover the visible areas with some fabric or pots to make it more appealing.
Good point, but I’m not sure if the HOA would be cool with that since it’s a pretty upscale neighborhood.
Thanks for your input! I actually just posted pics of the fence setup. Take a look at them for context!