Regular maintenance on fences helps to prevent costly repairs. This includes re-nailing loose pickets, tightening screws and nails, removing rust spots with a wire brush, and applying a layer of rust-inhibiting paint.
Inspecting your fence regularly can also help you identify problems such as rot, sagging or warping in time to nip them in the bud. This can save you significant repair expenses in the future. Contact Summerville Fence Co. for professional help.
Regardless of whether your fence is made from wood, vinyl or metal, it needs to be inspected regularly. Detecting problems early on can save homeowners from costly repairs in the future. These issues can include anything from loose boards and nails to rust spots and structural damage. These minor problems, if ignored, can grow into major issues that require professional repair.
The best place to start when examining your fence is with a visual inspection. Check the entire length of the fence for rotted sections, cracks in panels or posts, loose screws and other hardware, and signs of pest infestation. For a more thorough inspection, consider using specialty tools such as a moisture meter for wood fences or a metal detector to locate hidden hardware. If you do come across any issues, take notes of where and how serious they are. This will help you plan your repairs or discuss them with a professional.
You should also inspect your fence after severe weather conditions. This will help you identify any existing damages and ensure your fence is prepared for the winter ahead of time. During these inspections, you can trim nearby tree branches to reduce the chance of them falling onto your fence during storms, and you can clear away any snow or ice that may have built up on the ground.
In addition to routine inspections, you should also clean your fence regularly. This will help remove dirt, mildew and other debris that can cause deterioration. It is also a good idea to apply a protective coating or stain to your fence every 2-5 years to protect it from UV rays and moisture damage.
It is also important to keep the surrounding area of your fence free from weeds and other plants that could damage it. You can do this by manually removing them or by using an environmentally friendly weed killer. If you have a wooden fence, you can also add a layer of mulch to help preserve its integrity. This is especially useful in climates where the soil can be prone to shifting or rotting.
Inspect the Posts
As the foundation of a fence, posts are vulnerable to deterioration from weather damage and pest infestation. Examine each post for rot or instability in wood, and rust or corrosion in metal components. Look for loose or leaning posts as well, which can be caused by ground shifts and a lack of stability.
Each type of fence has a unique set of telltale signs that indicate the integrity of its structure is in trouble. Whether you have a wood, chain link, or metal fence, these issues may differ, but they are all indicative of structural problems that need to be addressed as quickly as possible to avoid further damage.
During your inspection, walk the entire length of your fence line to observe each section. Performing this visual assessment will reveal signs of deterioration in wood, rust, or looseness. A gentle shake of the posts will often reveal if they are loose or shifting. If a post wobbles significantly, this is a sign that the posts are no longer stable and could lead to significant structural damage if not repaired.
Make sure that the fence is firmly anchored in its post holes. If the posts are loose, this can cause significant damage to the fence and impose a safety hazard for anyone who walks near it. Dig around the base of each post to ensure that it is at least four inches below ground level. This will prevent moisture from collecting and reduce the risk of rotting and other damage.
Another way to reduce the risk of rot is by adding gravel to each hole. Adding this layer will promote proper drainage and prevent the accumulation of water around the base of each post. Additionally, it is a good idea to apply a waterproofing sealant to all wooden posts, as this will protect them from moisture and sun exposure.
Inspect the gates for sagging, dragging, or misalignment as well. If a gate is misaligned, it can put unnecessary stress on hinges and latches, leading to premature wear. Additionally, a poorly functioning gate can lead to undue traffic pressure in the area and potentially damage adjacent property.
Inspect the Ground
Regardless of the material, every fence needs to be properly inspected to prevent damage and ensure longevity. Some of these procedures are simple and straightforward, while others require specialized tools to be done correctly. Routine cleaning and sealant applications are key to preventing moisture and UV damage. Other fence maintenance procedures focus on the structural integrity of the posts and panels, ensuring that they are strong enough to support the load of your home or business. These inspections also allow homeowners to identify any structural issues and perform minor repairs that can save a significant amount of money in the long run.
Inspecting the ground is another important step in ensuring your fence is safe and functioning properly. Ideally, the ground should slope away from the fence line, allowing water to flow freely without pooling around the structure. If the ground is not sloping properly, it may be necessary to install drainage solutions in order to avoid pooling and other moisture-related damages. Checking the ground is also an excellent opportunity to look for hindrances to proper drainage, such as overgrown vegetation or debris that can cause damp soil and water buildup that threatens your fence’s stability.
Pest infestations are another major threat to the structural integrity of a fence, and they can wreak havoc on both wood and metal structures. For a wood fence, you should look for signs of termite or carpenter ant damage, such as small holes in the boards or gnawed edges. For a metal fence, you should be looking for signs of corrosion, such as discoloration or flaking paint. If you find any of these issues, it is important to act promptly to prevent them from worsening.
It is also important to inspect the fence after each season, as changing temperatures can have an impact on the materials used in a fence. Winter weather, for example, can lead to ice or snow buildup on the structure, which can cause rust and other damage. Also, a good time to inspect your fence is after the rainy season, as excess moisture can weaken wooden components or lead to wood rot.
Inspect the Gates
The gates of your fence are the most vulnerable to wear and tear. They must be inspected regularly to check for any signs of rust or damage, loose panels, and other problems. Addressing these issues immediately can prevent them from causing major problems in the future, such as a broken gate latch or hinge.
In addition, a gate should be tested for safety features, such as sensors and automatic reversals, to ensure they work properly. These are important for child and pet safety and burglar deterrence. A poorly maintained gate may have structural weaknesses that could allow a thief to break in or escape, or it may close on pedestrians or vehicles without reversing automatically or warning the driver.
Similarly, the hinges and latches of gates should be inspected for any signs of rust or loosening. A quick tightening can prevent these issues from escalating into serious repairs in the future.
Aside from structural problems, it is also important to check for any signs of moisture damage in the wood and metal parts of a fence. Moisture damage can lead to rot or insect infestation and should be addressed as soon as possible. Similarly, any areas that show signs of rust should be cleaned and treated with a coat of rust-resistant paint or primer as soon as possible to prevent further corrosion.
Regularly checking for these minor concerns and performing the necessary maintenance can save homeowners a lot of money in the long run. In addition, addressing them quickly can prevent these issues from gathering and escalating into major repairs or even complete fence replacements.
Aside from preventing major repairs, these routine inspections and maintenance procedures can also prolong the life of a fence and improve its appearance. For example, staining or painting a fence can provide a good seal that will protect it from the elements and add to its visual appeal. Using different tools for the application process, such as brushes, rollers, or sprayers, can help ensure an even and thorough result.