How to Extend the Life of Your Wood Fence

Your wood fence is one of the most important investments you’ll make for your home. A quality fence can provide your home with privacy, security, and curb appeal. However, a fence that is in bad condition can do just the opposite. With proper maintenance, your wood fence could last for many years, even decades. However, if you fail to keep up your wood fence you could be facing some costly repairs. The good news is that caring for your wood fence is easy and inexpensive.

Common Issues with Wood Fencing

One of the most common problems with wood fencing is a leaning fence or falling panels. There can be a number of things that contribute to your fence leaning or panels coming loose. Typically, high winds or drainage issues with your landscaping are to blame. Other common problems in wood fencing include stains, rot, or damage from pests such as termites.

Easy Maintenance Tips

Avoiding a leaning fence or broken panels is actually very easy. The stability of your fence depends on how secure your posts are in the ground. Periodically checking to make sure that your fence posts are not loose due to over-irrigated soil or other factors can help you avoid major damage to your fence down the road. If you do notice that the soil has softened around your fence posts, adjust the position of your sprinklers to make sure they are not soaking the area directly.

Coating your wood fence with a proper stain or outdoor paint can help you avoid water or sun damage to your fence. These coatings can also act as a first defense against pests. Generally, once you stain or paint a wood fence it should not require re-staining for a number of years. However, if you live in an area where your fence will be exposed to extreme hot or cold temperatures, you may find that you have to stain your fence more frequently. If you suspect that termites or other pests have targeted your fence, you will want to contact an experienced exterminator right away.

When to Repair & When to Replace

If your fence has experienced some damage, but the problem seems to be isolated to a small area, you may be able to simply change out individual boards or panels. In many cases, this is a task that homeowners can even do on their own. However, if the overall stability of your fence seems to have faded, then it may be time to replace your fence.

Contacting a Professional Fencing Contractor

While most homeowners are able to conduct basic maintenance on their wood fence, major repairs should be left to a professional fencing contractor. If your fence is not repaired properly, it could lead to costlier damage down the road. The next time you’re in need of a fence repair or replacement, contact our office and one of our helpful associates can provide you with an estimate. Our team has many years of experience in constructing quality commercial and residential fences, plus we always stand by our work!