Wood is an excellent material to use for your property’s fence. Its appeal is charming and classic while still providing privacy and security. As with any fence, however, they require proper maintenance to last as long as possible.
Maybe when you first bought your home, a wooden fence was already installed and had been neglected, or perhaps yours has been around a long time and is starting to show some signs of aging, either way, how do you know when it’s time to replace it? After all, replacing a fence takes time and money, so you don’t want to remove it prematurely if it still has some years to give.
That’s why we’re outlining the top 5 signs that your wooden fence needs to be replaced.
1. Your Fence is Leaning
It’s the telltale sign—your fence is leaning. While it may be tempting to simply try to straighten it, this won’t resolve the issue. That’s because a leaning fence is typically a good indicator of a deeper issue. When a fence has parts leaning, one possible problem could be that one of the fence posts has been damaged. If it’s just in one post, you might be able to repair it and still get many more years out of your fence. However, if there is damage to several posts, replacing the fence might be your only option, as a strong breeze might be the only thing that stands between your fence remaining upright or falling down.
2. Your Fence is Rotting
While leaning is the outward sign that your fence is aging, rot is usually the root cause of the issue. Some beginning signs of rot and possibly even mold are yellow or gray stains on your wooden fence. Again, it could be cheaper to repair your fence if there are only a couple of rotted boards, but widespread rot affecting most of the wooden boards should be your sign that it is time to replace the entire fence.
Pro tip: if you live in an area that gets a lot of rain, use treated lumber to keep rot and mold at bay, and reseal your wood regularly to allow your fence to maintain its full life expectancy.
3. Your Fence is Damaged
Unfortunately, even if you take every precaution to maintain your fence, outside sources can still cause damage. For example, extreme weather conditions like severe rain or snow will lead to rot, and it goes without saying that hail causes instant damage as well. Storms with high winds can also lead to trees falling on your fence or simply blowing it over if it already had some early stages of wear and tear. After severe weather, always closely examine your fence for places with splintering wood—an indicator of lasting damage that has weakened it.
While the weather is a common culprit for a damaged fence, pesky insects or even mice can put holes in it, leading to enough damage to warrant replacement. If you’ve tried taking proper care against insects and mice but are still finding holes in your fence, it might be microorganisms that aren’t visible to the naked eye causing the damage. As these types of holes start very small, usually by the time you notice them, it is already too late for your fence as irreparable damage has been done.
4. Your Fence is Missing Boards
The biggest reason for a fence is the added privacy and security they provide. If you have kids or dogs, missing or broken boards will compromise the purpose of your fence. Not only this, but in the same way a nice fence can add great curb appeal to your property, a fence with missing boards detracts from your home value.
When that nosy neighbor tells you that they think the steak you were grilling last night looked a little too rare, it might be time to consider replacing your fence.
5. Repairs Become More Costly than Replacement
While replacing a board or repairing a post might seem like a cheap simple solution, you need to consider the long-term life of your fence. These expenses can start to add up without you noticing, and before you know it, you’ve spent more money on several small repairs than you would have if you simply replaced it from the beginning. If your fence is brand new and you notice it needs a repair, then you can feel more confident that your fence has more years left in it. However, if you’ve had that wooden fence for a decade, you should consider putting your money towards replacing it and not try to repair at such a late stage.
Final Thoughts
If your wooden fence shows some or all of these signs and you are looking for expert advice and installation for a new fence, we at Accurate Fence would love to help you! Our team of experienced installers has 100+ years of combined experience. Whether you want to replace your old fence with another wooden one or are interested in other possible materials, we’ve got you covered! We offer a variety of fence materials, including ornamental and vinyl fences. Call us today to speak with one of our fence specialists! (770) 985-3700.
