Professional Wood and Vinyl Fencing in Baton Rouge, LA 70815 - High Tech Roofing & Remodeling

Floodwaters saturate the soil, causing wooden fence posts to heave or rot at the base. This looseness often wracks the entire panel. We start by inspecting the post condition—if the rot is limited to the base, we can often re-set the post with a concrete footer and proper gravel drainage. If the post is beyond repair, we replace it with a treated post and anchor it into undisturbed soil. For metal fences, we check for rust where flood debris might have scratched the coating; we wire-brush and repaint those areas, then tighten all brackets. Our goal is to make the fence stand solid through the next heavy rain.

Yes, floodwaters often carry silt and chemicals that can stain wood fences and cause peeling on painted surfaces. Even if the water recedes, moisture trapped in the wood grain can lift the paint or stain. We recommend starting with a thorough cleaning—we use a low-pressure wash with a mildewcide to remove grime. Then we let the wood dry completely for at least 48 hours. If the old finish is bubbling, we sand it down to bare wood before applying a high-quality exterior stain or paint with UV protection. For gates, we also check the hardware for rust and lubricate the hinges to ensure smooth opening after the storm.

In areas with clay-heavy soil that swells when wet, like near the LSU lakes or Sherwood Forest, we install posts with a gravel base and a slight taper away from the post to drain water. If a fence panel is simply knocked loose by debris, we can often re-nail or re-screw the rails without replacing the entire section. We also recommend adding a second rail mid-panel for extra strength. For automatic gates, we inspect the control box for water damage and re-seal any exposed electrical connections. Every repair includes a walk-through with the homeowner to show them what we found and how we fixed it, so they know their property is secure.