It’s that time of year again where we venture outside and evaluate the condition of our outdoor living products. Did they survive the snow and ice? Did last year’s mistakes take a toll on our fence and deck?
Here are a few simple preventative tips, to do today, to keep your fence looking like brand new for many years to come.
- Test the structure of the fence by putting a little weight on it. If it doesn’t move, it’s still strong. If not, contact your fence installer to reevaluate the situation and make the necessary recommendations to rectify.
- For safety reasons, and to avoid wear and tear, do not allow anyone to climb on your fence.
- Do a 360 check up. Make sure water from rain cannot get into the fence, as stagnant rainwater will cause rust, freeze in the winter, and blow out the posts.
- If your fence is powder coated, ensure that there is no exposed steel as this will cause rust. Treat your fence with a galvanized primer to seal it up and repaint with the colour of your choice.
- Treat your fence like any other product, do not shovel around it, or bang it with the lawnmower, car, or weed wacker.
When it’s time to install or change your fence:
The lifetime of a fence is dependent on how you treat your fence. A vinyl fence should last you a lifetime, while ornamental fencing, generally warrantied for five years, could last much longer with preventative maintenance.
- When you find yourself doing more yearly maintenance on a fence, it may be time to install a new fence.
- Developing neighbourhoods typically calls for a new fence to maintain your privacy.
- A new addition to the family, such as children or dogs, may require extra security around the perimeter of your home, pool, and outdoor surroundings.
What type of fencing is right for your home?
While wood fencing appears to be the norm in most neighbourhoods, we recommend vinyl or ornamental fencing. Wood requires a lot of maintenance and overtime it fades and rots. The cost/benefit proves that, although you pay a higher price in the beginning for a vinyl or ornamental fence, they tend to last longer and save you money in the long term.
Any questions? Please reach out to us in the comments section below.