4 Ways Your Fence Can Get Damaged

Getting a new fence on your property can be an exciting time. You will likely want everyone to come over and see your new investment in home improvement. However, it’s important to keep in mind that a fence will require regular maintenance to keep looking great over time. If you have a fence, it’s important to learn about the ways it can get damaged so that you can do everything in your power to avoid it. Older fences will inevitably experience wear and tear, but there’s nothing worse than having a new fence that breaks down rapidly. Here are 4 ways that your fence can get damaged and what action you can take to avoid them.

1. Corrosion and Rot

Depending on what type of materials your fence is made up of, it can either experience wood rot or metal corrosion. These damages are the result of moisture. Water can penetrate the wood that your fence is made of and cause it to deteriorate over time due to mold and rotting. Corrosion is a natural result of water introduced to metal. If you live in an area that experiences heavy rain, you should definitely look into the best ways to protect your fence. To avoid this damage, you can invest in varnish or waterproof paint that protects your fence from moisture damage.

2. Added Weight

Another way that fences break down is when they are weighed down. Additional weight on a wooden fence can cause the wood to crack and bend. For metal fences, too much weight can cause them to bend and lead to expensive repairs if you aren’t careful. Try to avoid hanging things on your fence if possible. You can always reach out to the company that installed your fence or a professional fencing company like Fence Craft of Upland for advice about the amount of weight your fence can support.

3. Insects

Insects can be extremely harmful to wooden fences. Certain insects love to burrow and munch on your wooden fence, which is why you should take preventative measures if you live in an area with wood-loving insects. Some of the most common insects that love to attack wooden fences are termites, powder post beetles, and carpenter ants. You can actually spray your wooden fence with insect repellant to avoid this type of damage.

4. Plants

Adding plants and green vegetation to your property is a great way to improve its overall appearance. However, there are certain plants that can grow onto your fence and cause damage if you aren’t careful. Woody vines can grow up onto your fence and cause moisture damage as well as add weight to your fencing. There are other invasive plant species that can also grow up onto your fencing and result in expensive repairs and even full fence replacement.

If you have any questions about fence damage or would like to have a professional come out to assess the damage on your fence and repair it, reach out to Fence Craft of Upland today.