When something is wrong with your car, it tells you: there is beeping alerts or concerning grinding sounds that tell you it is time to visit a mechanic. The same can be said for within your home; you know quickly if there is an issue with the plumbing or if a window is broken. What about something that is less obvious? Fences do more than just separate your property from your neighbor’s. They provide your first layer of protection from intrusion by providing a defined line of trespassing. Fences also keep your pets and children safely contained in your yard. If your fence is in disrepair, it can lead to injury or other accidents. Do not wait until your fence completely collapses to deal with any issues. Here are four signs your fence may need to be replaced.
Rotting and/or Warped Wood
Georgia’s humid, wet weather can cause serious damage to any fence overtime. Whether they are metal or wood, fences in our area are exposed to the rains and winds of Mother Nature’s often temperamental weather pattern year-round. Even sealed wood can eventually begin to succumb to the moisture, rotting and warping over time. If you notice soft spots in your wooden planks or rusting of metal fences, it may be time to replace it. These signs of aging may only appear to affect certain areas of your fencing, but it is likely the rest will follow shortly.
Broken or Missing Planks
Storm damage and accidents may cause structural damage to your fence, such as missing or broken planks. Not only is this an aesthetic issue that lowers the curb appeal of you home, but it can be a security issue. Pets and small children may be injured by jagged edges or splinters. Worse, they may slip through breaks in the fence if the space allows it. While patches may work temporarily, they should not be used as permanent solutions.
Major Damage
Beyond a broken plank or two, major damage can because by falling trees, heavy winds, or even a vehicle collision. If any of these incidents have left your fence bent, leaning, or otherwise broken, replace it as soon as possible. Removing the hazard of a fence with major damage can keep you and your family safe from additional harm.
Termite and Insect Damage
Termites and other wood eating insects are major pests during South Georgia’s humid summers. While most homeowners understand the threat, they pose to a house’s infrastructure, this also extends to wooden fencing. Holes in the wood, live or dead termites found around the perimeter, and termite mounds are sure signs of infestations. Addressing these issues should be priority, but once the termites are exterminated, replacing your fence should be next on the list. Existing termite damage can make it easy for secondary issues like mold to set in.
Sometimes the cost of repairing a fence exceeds the cost of full replacement. If you are continually having to patch your fence, the maintenance costs can quickly add up. If this is you, let Central Fence give you a free estimate for fence replacement today! For more information, call us at 800-221-6425 or stop by one of our convenient locations!
