When is the Right Time to Replace My Fence in Oklahoma?

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When Should You Replace Your Fence?

Whether your residential fence is designed of wood, metal, or vinyl, it should be professionally installed as it can last for well over 15 years.

Yet a range of circumstances can damage the fence to the point where simple repairs cannot make it safe or sturdy or bring back its original appearance.

Look for the following vital signs, which will indicate when it is time for your old fence to be replaced with a new one.

When There is Damage From an Accident

There is no way to predict when an accident will happen or the extent of damage that will be caused to your fence.

A car may run into the fence, or a tree branch will fall and land on the panels. A fence may even catch fire.

After the accident, the fence posts and panels may be damaged to the point where it would be too unsafe to leave up and too costly to make spot repairs.

Tips to prevent future damage: There is no natural way to protect your new replacement fence from car accidents or fire damage.

However, you can lower the chances of tree damage by trimming back branches so the limbs will not fall from storms or age.

When There is Rot or Rust

Water penetration is another top issue forcing you to replace the entire fence.

For wooden fences, you will typically see discoloration that starts at the bottom of the boards and will work its way up.

There may also be discoloration in areas where the sealant has been compromised due to weather, time, and pests.

For metal fences, rust will form along the surface where the water sealant has been worn or scratched.

In time, the rust will work along joints and cause your fence to become unstable.

Tips to prevent future damage: To protect the new wooden fence, ensure that you use treated wood that is more resistant to rot, mold, and pest damage.

You also want to completely seal wood and metal fences with waterproofing coatings, such as paint, sealant, or stain.

When There is Splintering or Cracking

Due to the rain and sun, splintering and cracks can form on wood fences as they age.

While this issue isn’t as prominent on vinyl fences, water may get inside the boards if the vinyl material is poorer.

During temperature drops, the water can freeze inside the boards and expand. This expansion will form cracks along vinyl boards. If only a few boards and posts exist, you can perform minor repairs to those sections.

However, consider complete fence replacement if the splintering and cracking are extensive.

Tips to prevent future damage: Ensure the fence is completely sealed from moisture penetration.

So, place on a stain or paint sealant with the best waterproofing qualities.

To prevent damage to vinyl fences, select a higher quality material and ensure properly fitting fence caps are on top of the posts.

When There is Leaning or Warping

A leaning and warping fence can signify a range of issues.

Poor installation where the post holes in the ground were too shallow could cause the fence to start leaning as the ground slowly eroded away or heaved.

This issue can impact all types of fences.

Warping is common to wooden fences, yet it may also impact vinyl fences.

Warping may be due to too much stress and loads on the panels. The posts may not be set at the proper distance apart from each other, causing uneven weight distribution.

Warping may also be caused by something pressing up against the fence or along the top, such as piled snow or blown snow from snow blowers or other objects.

Tips to prevent future damage: Hire a professional fence contractor who will take all the necessary steps to install the fence adequately based on the materials used.

If the leaning fence is caused by ground erosion due to water saturation, a grading issue may have to be addressed before the fence is installed.

To prevent future warping caused by objects leaning up against the fence boards, remove the objects and knock off the snow from the top of the fence.

When There Are Holes in the Fence

Finding extensive hole damage in a wooden fence can signify a severe pest problem.

Termites, woodpeckers, rodents, and microorganisms could cause the holes. The holes can also be due to missing nails and fasteners that rusted out, popped out, or broke.

Even small holes can cause irreparable damage, as rain can enter the wood and begin to rot it from the inside or cause splitting.

Tips to prevent future damage: You can purchase treated wood that is resistant to termites and insects.

Also, perform yearly inspections to fix and replace loose or missing screws and nails. If the problem is caused by other issues, such as rodents, woodpeckers, and microorganisms, you will have to address the issue in specific ways.

With woodpeckers, you need to seal the wood to prevent insects from invading, which causes the birds to peck at the fence.

You must take pest prevention methods for rodents to prevent them from entering your yard.

As your fence grows older, it will need to be replaced because of the many issues that can impact it.

Hiring professional contractors can ensure your fence is installed correctly, as they can help you maintain it for many years.

Have a Great Fence Throughout the Winter

Add fence preparation tasks to your fall home maintenance schedule to ensure that your fence will withstand the winter elements.

Any damage found should be immediately repaired; if it’s significant, call a professional fence contractor to do the job for you.

Contact us at (405) 778-1545 or complete our secure form below.