Most homeowners would like to think that their garden fence is something that will last them years and years. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case.
Whilst a modern and high-quality fence will last you well over a decade, this isn’t always true for a lot of traditional wooden fencing. Endless maintenance issues can make keeping your fence in good condition a complete nightmare.
So when is it time to put away your tools and realise that it might be time to replace instead of repair? Here are 7 signs to look out for that could mean it’s finally time to invest in a new fence.
Your Fence Has Started to Lean
As your fence starts to age, it will gradually start to weaken. Whilst not always noticeable at first, you will eventually begin to spot signs of its decline. More specifically, a lot of wooden fences begin to distinctively lean to one side or another. This can become a common and frustrating problem during the winter when the constant high winds and heavy rain can play havoc with the already weak structure.
Whilst this can be temporary “fixed” by adjusting the fence posts, it’s unlikely that this will undo the damage that has already been carried out. It’s definitely more cost effective to replace it with something stronger and more durable.
You’ve Noticed Signs of Rotting
Rotting is often one of the first signs that there is something seriously wrong with your wooden fence. Favoured for their rustic and traditional look, it can be disheartening to discover the onset of rot.
Unfortunately, despite putting a lot of time and effort into keeping your fence in good condition, wood is very vulnerable to rotting as time goes on.
As the decay sets in, your fence will quickly begin to deteriorate, leaving it looking less attractive and a lot weaker than before. If caught in time, you can sometimes prevent the rot from spreading throughout the entire fence. However, it’s not often spotted until it’s too late. When this happens, there is no way to reverse the damage and the only option is to replace with something new.
The Wood Has Started to Discolour
Wood that was once bright and visually aesthetic can easily become dull and discoloured over time. This is definitely true for wood that hasn’t been properly preserved in the correct way.
There are several reasons for why wooden fencing begins to discolour, but most of the time, it’s due to factors such as sun exposure, rust or the paintwork beginning to fade. Treating the fence could potentially slow down the discolouring but it’s unlikely to turn back time – it won’t ever be the same colour that it was beforehand.
The Fence is Missing Some of Its Panels
Cracked, chipped or completely missing panels are a clear indication that your fence is in need of something more than just a little TLC. Not only does this make for an unsightly fence, it can also cause security issues, as well as safety problems for those with young children or small pets.
You could replace the missing panel but there is no guarantee that it won’t happen again, or that it won’t end up being extremely expensive!
There is a Clear Indication of Wear & Tear
It doesn’t matter how much time you spend maintaining and repairing your fence, there are just some things that you can’t prevent from happening. This includes the wear and tear from everyday life. From your kids repeatedly kicking a ball at the fence, to your cat or dog using it as a scratching post or chew toy, these instances of repetitive damage can bring your once perfect fence to a premature end.
In this case, we would save yourself the time and effort and think about getting it replaced as soon as possible!
It No Longer Fits in with the Aesthetics of Your Garden or Home
Realising that you need a new fence doesn’t always have to be a result of something going wrong with it. Whilst un-repairable damage is generally the main reason behind deciding it’s time for something new, it doesn’t mean that it’s the only reason.
Some homeowners simply outgrow the current look and design of their fence. Whether it’s due to a change in the garden or an updated look of their home, some people decide a change is needed purely for aesthetic reasons.
The Repairs are Becoming Very Costly
Everyone likes to believe that something can easily be repaired. After all, it must be cheaper to repair than replace, right? Whilst this can be true in some cases, it isn’t always the best course of action. Carrying out repair after repair can mean the costs slowly start to creep up, meaning you might end up paying a lot more than it would cost to take it out and just buy a new one.
For fencing which doesn’t rot, warp, crack or peel, get in touch.
