On Sat, 26 Aug 2006 17:34:45 -0400, LJ wrote:

Here's a money-saving idea:
Replace ONLY the horizontal boards.

Most of the cost of a fence is the vertical pickets. The posts,
concrete and horizontal boards are a much smaller percentage of the
cost. You may have to replace a few complete pickets, but the rotten
back side of the existing pickets need not be an issue.

You have 3 horizontal boards - top, middle, bottom. For middle and
bottom, ADD a treated 2x4 ABOVE the existing horizontal board. For the
top board, add it BELOW the existing board.

I recommend that you attach pickets to the new boards using screws OR
a pneumatic nailer. NOT a hammer. There is still some life in the
pickets - there is NO life in the horizontal stringers. Use 4" deck
screws to drive through the picket, new stringer and into the post.

Once the new stringers are in place and the pickets attached to them,
GENTLY remove the old dead stringers without breaking the pickets.
Save you a bundle it will.

I use 1-7/8" RS EG gun nails for the pickets and 3" RS HDG framing
nailer nails going into the posts. Deck screws rated for PT lumber
into the posts and stringers can be substituted if you do not have
access to pneumatic nailing equipment. DO NOT use too long a fastener
through the pickets, otherwise you will need to grind off protruding
nail/screw points on the back side. DAMHIKT.