Like it or not, everything changes. We change seasons, or clothes, and even as people. It shouldn’t be a surprise, therefore, to hear that fences need to be changed, too. It doesn’t have to be a common thing— and with the proper care, it won’t be— but there are times when it’s unavoidable. But change isn’t always a bad thing. A new fence means new opportunities, and new avenues through which to express yourself through your housing endeavors.
When is it Time for a New Fence?
There are a number of signs that serve as a dead giveaway as to whether your fence has rusted or rotted beyond repair. A fence that cannot reasonably resist structural damage, such as from the environment or a ne’er-do-well’s tampering isn’t much of a fence anymore. Some fences, such as wood or aluminum, give off different tells as to when this is the case.
Wood Fences
For wood fences, black or discolored spots announce the presence of rot. Some forms of rot are treatable, but others— dry rot, especially— need to be completely replaced. There are some instances however, such as when rot has taken over too much of a fence, or in key spots for a fence’s stability, such as in the joints, that it becomes more expensive or troublesome to fix than to simply replace.
Wood rot is pretty simple to spot past a certain point, and if your fence caves in when you push into it, it’s a definite sign that things have gone wrong. Rot is a fungus, which means that like every living thing, it will resist any attempts to prevent it from spreading even further. Unless you completely remove the fungus from your fence, it can come back with a taste for vengeance— and sawdust!
Metal Fences
Metal fences can be even easier to recognize for their structural disintegration. Unlike wood, metal does not grow rot within itself, as it is an inorganic material, and thus something rot fungus can’t make a meal out of. What it does have, however, is rust. Rust is the coppery, reddish equivalent of wood rot, and is very easy to spot.
When a metal fence, such as a chain-link, wrought iron, or aluminum fence grows splotchy red spots over it, that means that a chemical reaction has occurred that reduced the once-strong metal to flaky red patches. Chemical reactions can’t be undone, so you will have to find some way to remove whichever layers of the fence have been affected to rid yourself of the unsightly red spots that pocket your fence.
In many cases, entire sections of the fence will need to be removed. Chain-link fences can be repaired in places more easily than some other forms of metallic fences, but even chain-link fences will need to be replaced if the rust is severe enough.
On the fence as to whether or not you need a new fence? 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. We’ll be happy to assist you in any way we can!
