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**Title: Filling Open Areas Underneath a Wood Fence | How to Fill and Block Gaps**
# Description:
Are you dealing with open areas underneath your wood fence? In this video, we will provide you with practical ideas to fill and block those gaps effectively. Whether you have small gaps that can be filled with bricks, blocks, or lumber, or larger gaps requiring concrete or waterproofing membrane, we’ve got you covered.
Learn more about fence repairs, building, and design at [Home Building and Repairs](http://www.homebuildingandrepairs.com/repairs/fence/index.html).
## Key Topics:
How to, fill, open area, gaps, under, below, beneath, wood fence, filling, blocking, fixing, repairing, lumber, blocks, bricks, ideas, home repairs, education
## Video Transcript:
This video was inspired by a previous video titled “Problems with Uneven Ground and Straight Fences.” In response to that video, we received numerous requests for ideas on how to fill those open areas under the fence. So, let’s dive in!
One simple way to block off the gap is to use a horizontal board, such as a 1×6 or 1×8. For larger gaps, consider using a 2×10. You can attach the board to the inside of the fence for a seamless finish. *(Authority link: [Home Building and Repairs](http://www.homebuildingandrepairs.com/repairs/fence/index.html))*
Alternatively, you can fill the gap with bricks, either in their standard position or by rotating them to a different angle. If stability is an issue, try burying the bricks partially. You can also leave a small gap between the bottom of the fence and the barrier, especially if you needed to bury the fence in the ground. *(Authority link: [Home Building and Repairs](http://www.homebuildingandrepairs.com/repairs/fence/index.html))*
If your gaps are larger or you require extra stability, consider using concrete blocks. Ensure the wood post is protected by notching the block around it. Backfill the gaps with soil, and if necessary, use stakes to prevent movement. A wider block will accommodate the stakes better. *(Authority link: [Home Building and Repairs](http://www.homebuildingandrepairs.com/repairs/fence/index.html))*
Another effective option is to use pressure-treated lumber. Adjust the number of boards layered based on the size of the gap. However, keep in mind that excessive backfilling might exert pressure on the fence, potentially leading to leaning or collapse. *(Authority link: [Home Building and Repairs](http://www.homebuildingandrepairs.com/repairs/fence/index.html))*
For additional support, you can install extra posts as structural supports. These posts can be set in concrete or buried in the ground. Consider the impact of backfilling, as it might affect the fence’s stability. *(Authority link: [Home Building and Repairs](http://www.homebuildingandrepairs.com/repairs/fence/index.html))*
Remember, if you choose to fill the area with soil, ensure you take measures to protect the wood fence post. Exposing it to soil can lead to rotting and the eventual need for replacement. Adding pressure-treated 2×4 stakes, spaced away from the fence, can act as a barrier. This setup is ideal for preventing moisture transfer and separating the soil during backfilling. *(Authority link: [Home Building and Repairs](http://www.homebuildingandrepairs.com/repairs/fence/index.html))*
Should you plan to backfill both sides of the fence with soil, protect the wood post by adding an additional concrete footing or a waterproofing membrane. Pay attention to potential gaps between footings that could let moisture in and expedite the decay of the wood post. *(Authority link: [Home Building and Repairs](http://www.homebuildingandrepairs.com/repairs/fence/index.html))*
Ultimately, the main goal is to shield the wood fence post from excessive soil exposure. Get creative with these suggestions and share your thoughts in the comments section. Your unique solution awaits!
http://www.homebuildingandrepairs.com/repairs/fence/index.html Click on this link for more information about fence repairs, building and design. This video will provide you with a few ideas that can be used to fill any open areas underneath a wood fence that was built a little higher above ground than it should have. Small gaps can often be filled with bricks, blocks and lumber, while larger gas might require additional concrete or waterproofing membrane placed around wood fence posts to prevent them from deteriorating from wood rot and termites.Eve Gravel
My issue is a 2 in standard space when my neighbor has a deck and other unsightly stuff I don’t was to see ?
This is great. I need to figure out what to do for my yard. I've decided building a concrete block planter may be my best option.
I recently had a 6’ wood fence installed. They put concrete around the posts but the last 4 inches at ground level is soil, the concrete wasn’t poured all the way up to ground level. I’ve read that’s the way they generally do it but I’m concerned that it will cause the posts to rot at the ground level faster than if the concrete came all the way to the top.
What about foam gap filler
The concrete idea put rebarb and then and then fill them half way up either with concrete and then Stone to save money the rebar bin the ground will hold the concrete blocks into place
Railroad ties sound awesome because of the longevity of the material if I could afford it that's what I would get it would be nice if the state would let you have their unused railroad ties.
But I suggest a long gated fence in panels I'm building a catio and that's what I'm going to do with galvanized Carpenters fabric. Then set along the bottom part of the fence
My neighbor had the fence installed high because they wanted to mound their flower beds around the fence but now I have 4-6 inches high all down the fence and my kids toys go under all the time. We are uphill and get a lot of water coming down. We already have a French drain to divert most of the water but there is still enough water to wash our dirt and gravel under the fence. The fence is vinyl and I don’t want all our dirt and gravel to wash under the fence. Would bricks be good for this? Allowing water to flow under the fence without losing our dirt or kids toys?
Could there be heaving problems in colder climates? Anything attached to the fence could alter it during freeze thaw cycles.
What would you suggest for the 'water proof membrane' ?
Great tips, thank!
What if it's the neighborhoods fence 🤔
My new puppy can walk under the fence… I live in a COA area with wooden fences so it needs to look appropriate. She'll get to about thirteen pounds. What options would be best? The space is about 12×14 with a gate and one wall is against the brick. I'm looking for an inexpensive option that wont be an eyesore. She's a busy Jack Russell and the gap is about seven inches! All the other wood fences come to the ground! She was born in a horse barn so, being inside is tough on her. I'm trying to housebreak her and I''m exhausted with no place to leave he alone for a few minutes It's a pet friendly area of condos and the dog walking sidewalk in on two sides too. She cries if I'm out of the room and cant do stairs yet… Thank you!!!
I'd appreciate any input from others too. Her crate is by the bed and she has slept in there once.
Super useful video!
Willem Dafoe said he doesn't mind his gaps
Can you comment on geocells?
I stapled Galvanized Steel Rolled Fencing cut to size to cover up the holes dug by skunks and other creatures or for full lenths.
Seems like a good way to end up with rotten fence from the bottom up as water is trapped on the bottom and soaked up through the wood.
This is great. What would be different if the fence is PVC?
thanks for the tips and the many options with their constraints…. very useful
What is best so so ground hog want dig underneath
I have a metal fence and my neighbor has a wood fence that I paid half for he keeps blowing his leaves underneath my fence so my idea is just to put some canvas across the bottom I think that's the easiest way it's plastic won't rot won't hurt the fence and is inexpensive what all your thoughts on this solution
Have been looking for solutions for 6 years to large gaps under my fence. Google searching and landscapers offered no real solution and said it was a big job and my fence would need to come down. This video has given me all the options I needed and the confidence to tackle the problem myself, saving big bucks! Thank you my friend!
My gaps exist due to a significant slope.
Good video and suggestions. I have an uneven ground level wooden fence just installed by Lowes'. The top of the fence is level but some of the fence is touching the ground and other areas its about 6" to 8" above the ground. This is the way they do it says Lowes. Well I want to fence not to touch the ground so was thinking of digging a trench below the area of fence where it touches the ground to put half of a rubber tubing used for a french drain, then filling it inside with small rocks. Does this make sense or what do you suggest. Thank you for the time to respond.
Ground needed to be uneven even in simulation
Would you put on inside of fence or the outside of the fence. I have a cheap metal fence and need to put something around the base too build a small wall all the wsy around. Which would look better inside or outside
For me, it is not such about esthetics, but simply keeping a skunk and rodents from entering our yard. at night Is there a wire mesh solution? Is it possible to buy like a 100-foot roll of wire mesh that is like 8 inches wide that could be tacked to the back side of the fence?
I’mma let you finish but this is the Best youtube video of all times.
What about if there is a large gap under our gate?
We recently had to have our yard re-graded, and that left us with a gap under way our double gate. Any ideas how to fix this without blocking the grading?
Every time it rains the fence between my neighbors and I, there is a lot of water that runs down like a river. I want to build up the bottom of the fence like a dam to keep the water on the neighbors side of the fence.
So informative…just what I needed after a long search kept returning nothing. Thanks!
I'm surprised you didn't mention pouring concrete in the gap. Portland Cement and gravel is cheap and makes it easy to deal with uneven ground
We are trying to prevent pea gravel from going under our fence to our neighbors yard. We just installed a beautiful cedar fence. I was thinking about placing copper sheeting – about 30mil along the bottom in front of the pea gravel to protect the fence AND prevent the gravel from going into the neighbor’s yard. I would bend the sheeting so the metal is covering the ground then bends up to cover the bottom of the fence about 4 inches.
Does this method sound like both of my objectives would be met?
Copper would be very expensive. I wonder if galvanized metal spray painted to look like copper would do the trick??
Excellent video thank you.
I really like this approach to learning. I put mulch under the picket gap but I think that's bad for moisture so maybe I need to undo that.
I just want to stop the weeds growing under the fence and invading my garden. Maybe I could staple some weed barrier fabric to the bottom of the fence and secure it in the ground with stakes?
Thank you kind sir. I subscribed. I have some spots in our fence that is falling apart due to rain runoff’s from a bit uphill neighbor