The world is a dangerous place. Not everything lasts forever. To ensure that the things you care about last, you have to protect them — this is true, even for fences. The irony of the situation is that while fences are meant to protect you, this means that it will be taking some hits it can’t recover from. Better your fence take it than your house or even more importantly, you. But sometimes the best policy is to prevent there being damage to anything in the first place. Here are a few things to watch out for when considering the longevity of your beautiful fence.
Big Wildlife
Every day, people experience close encounters of the wild kind. Unfortunately, this happens even away from nature. Bears, coyotes, raccoons, deer, and more populate the East Coast, and with them comes the possibility of a surprise visit. Nobody knows exactly what to do when a bear strolls into their neighborhood.
People who have fenced their houses can expect a significantly greater amount of security during such an event, but the aftermath of a cranky bear could mean broken planks or unsightly scratch marks all over the panels of your fence. That’s what the fence is there for, to be the scratching post in your stead, but it would be a much simpler endeavor to do prevent any such wildlife from wanting to visit to begin with.
A good way to go about that is to apply some form of animal repellent to the fence. This can be anything from industrial strength chemical repellents to spraying your fence with white vinegar. Animals that find your fence repulsive aren’t going to make a scratching post out of it. This applies to the more common nuisances, such as raccoons, as well!
Weather
Storms can be wild and unpredictable. Half the time, it doesn’t even sound like the weather station knows for sure what’s going to happen! This element of uncertainty makes for a difficult time preparing for every situation as it comes up, but there are things that can be done to bolster your fence year-round and on a day-to-day basis.
Heavy winds have been known to knock some fences over, or even uproot them from the ground. To prevent this, have a foundation of cement poured with the base of the planks. Dirt makes for a good stabilizing element. Cement makes for a great one.
You can also place bricks of some heavy material behind the fence to serve as a brace against the heavy winds. Moisture-resistant paints and primers can help prevent rainfall from turning into rot. A big thing to remember is to prune the trees around your fence, as harsh weather conditions can spell for a tree limb falling and smashing into your fence.
If you have any more questions or concerns, we’d be happy to set your mind at ease. Feel free to call us on our telephone number (1-800-221-6425) or visit us at one of our convenient locations in Swainsboro, Vidalia, Statesboro, or Sandersville.
