To keep your fence in good shape for as long as possible, it’s important to do the necessary fence repairs as soon as you notice any issues. As you may already know from consulting with the fencing experts near you, even seemingly easy repairs can become more significant problems if not handled correctly. To ensure your future fixes achieve the desired results, consider familiarizing yourself with the common fence repair mistakes (and how to avoid them).
How to Avoid 5 Common Fence Repair Mistakes
At first, many common fence repair mistakes may not seem like mistakes at all, especially if they do what you intend, like reattaching a picket to the rail. Over time, some of these mistakes may even cause greater damage despite initially appearing to be repaired. Here are 5 mistakes people often make when repairing fences, along with recommendations for better, longer-lasting solutions.
1. Using nails instead of screws in wood fences.
Although both nails and screws can be used for fence repairs, one is sometimes a better choice than the other. While nails can be a cheaper and faster fix, screws are more likely to stay secure, even through any expansion and contraction that may occur. Make sure to choose screws that are the right size for your project and that are designed for outdoor use.
2. Having untreated wood near the ground.
The type of wood you choose for a fence repair matters, especially if it will be close to the ground. The wood near the ground is more at risk of insect damage and suffers greater moisture exposure from soil, water accumulation, or other debris that can rot wood. Using untreated wood for a repair may be a temporary solution, but if you want the repair to last, choose treated fence components designed for ground contact or more naturally rot-resistant wood, like cedar.
3. Ignoring overgrown vegetation or leaf accumulation.
Some homeowners may have shrubs or bushes near fences or fences may separate yards from brush or thick trees on the property. Other homeowners may enjoy hanging colorful flowers or planters from fence posts to beautify their yards. However, if shrubs, flowers or other vegetation near a fence become too large, moisture exposure often increases, as when piles of leaves are left against the base of the fence. Overgrown plants surrounding or climbing the fence can also hide existing repair needs or cause other problems. So, even if you fix that leaning post or the rusty spot, these issues are likely to return if the source of the weight or moisture isn’t addressed. To enjoy the benefits of your flowers and other plants while avoiding their potential pitfalls, and to ensure the longevity of any fence repairs, ongoing monitoring and seasonal fence maintenance, such as trimming bushes and clearing away fallen leaves, are essential.
4. Painting over the problem.
Sealing, staining and/or painting are commonly recommended as part of wood fence maintenance as well as metal fence upkeep. These treatments help protect fences against insect and weather-related impacts, as well as regular wear and tear. However, while applying a coat of paint can be a great way to refresh the look of a fence, it won’t address underlying issues such as rot or mold on a wood fence or rust on a metal fence. To avoid exacerbating a current problem or causing greater issues with the structural integrity of the fence, it’s important to take initial steps like cleaning off the mold, removing any rust or executing other necessary repairs before using protective coatings.
5. Letting drainage issues linger.
Tasks such as putting in a new fence post or correcting a leaning fence often require more effort than fixing broken hardware or performing routine fence cleaning. Unfortunately, if the causes of these more significant issues aren’t resolved, like drainage problems, you won’t be able to celebrate and enjoy these improvements from your hard work for as long as you may hope. Poor drainage, like other forms of excess moisture exposure, can compromise the appearance and stability of a fence. From evaluating soil quality to setting up the sprinkler system, be sure to address drainage concerns before undertaking the repairs they necessitate.
Choose Orange Fence for Fence Repairs
To save you some time and money in maintaining your fence, doing a little homework in advance can make a big difference in the final result. The Orange Fence team is available to help you with the materials, parts and guidance needed for a DIY fencing project. Our experts also offer a range of residential and commercial fencing services, if you want to avoid common fencing repair mistakes entirely or need a new fence installation. Contact us today for a free estimate!
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