Fixing A Fence Panel

[sherrardk]

I want to fix some of my fence panels. The slatted parts run horizontal and some of them have started to drop at one end. My big problem is I can only access my side of the panel - do I just need some of the double ended nails that are a u shape or have I vastly underestimated the job?

[The Builder]

A stapler, Sherrard.
Something like this...

(check the thickness of the timber to make sure you get the right stapler.)

https://www.screwfix.com/p/dewalt-heavy-duty-stapler-brad-tacker/7601c

[alavahalf]

When the panels are assembled the have nails fired into them using a air powered nail gun. My guess is you won't have one of these. Were you to staple it you would need one hell of a stapler. As you can see a a heavy duty stapler will cost more than twice the cost of a new fence panel. You are unlikely to use this tool again.
If you can only access your side of the panel and you don't want to spend too much money.. Looking at the panel go out to the edge where the upright is, that holds the slats in place. Get some 40mm panel pins (£3.99 a at wickes) ..
Lift the slat into place and wedge it there with a screwdriver. Then get a 1.5 mm drill bit and drill a hole through the upright and slat. But only let the drill slightly pierce the upright that will be on the backside of the panel. You now have a pilot hole for the panel pin to be knocked into. Go to the other side of the panel and do the same again. The reason for the pilot hole and the panel pin is.. I know for a fact that your panels will be dried out and brittle. Should you use a thicker nail, you will shatter the uprights when you strike the nail.
Less than a fiver to do the whole thing and you will be left with a box of nearly 200 pins !

[Old_Geezer]

I thought that the idea was to slide the old panel out and replace with a better quality one.

Maybe you can glue it in place until further deterioration ensures you wish to replace it.

[sherrardk]

I’ll have to give your ideas some thought - it’s not my panel to replace (we rent) and it’s not bad enough to make a fuss about. It just looks scruffy.

[bednobs]

let it go then!

[bookbinder]

Is this the type of fence panel that you are having problems with?
https://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Dip-Treated-Overlap-Fence-Panel---6-x-4ft/p/540051

[sherrardk]

The actual panel is constructed like this one https://www.diy.com/departments/blooma-arve-fence-panel-w-1-8m-h-1-8m/3663602433095_BQ.prd

[sherrardk]

Sorry, that link is wrong - it’s constructed like the one listed on B & Q as ‘ Blooma Arve Fence’.

[bookbinder]

You might like to try this solution (which I have used):
make an S-shaped hook from an easily-bent piece of (any old) wire;
hook one end over a sound horizontal slat;
hook the other end under a drooping slat and pull it up.

[ABerrant]

This is the fence panel - stapled as described.

https://media.diy.com/is/image/Kingfisher/3663602433101_01bq
https://media.diy.com/is/image/Kingfisher/3663602433101_02bq