Your fence is one of the most important outdoor installations. It not only demarcates your land, but it also provides you and your family with varying levels of security depending on the type of fence you have installed. However, fences can wear out and need repairs. Repairs become necessary when a part of the fence is damaged or breaks down. Knowing when to replace or repair is important because the option you choose will determine how much time and money you spend on the repair or replacement. Considering available repair options is often cheaper and less time-consuming than having the fence replaced.
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Wood Fences
Wood fences are a popular option because they are cheaper than other options and easy to install. However, wood fences often need repairs sooner than other fencing options because they are susceptible to factors such as weather and pests. If part of your wood fence is rotting, you can replace posts, slats, and pickets using the same type of wood that the fence is made out of. Do note that the color might not match if the original fence has faded and so you might need to paint the fence for uniformity.
In some cases, you might have a total loss and need to replace the fence. Total loss means that more than 20% of your fence boards are damaged and the fence is no longer structurally sound.
Before getting a new fence, however, it is important to ask, “What ruined my fence?” If you do not know the cause of the damage, your new fence is not going to do any better and the issues that plagued your first fence are likely to affect the second one. While there is little you can do about damage caused by weather, there are steps you can take to protect against damage caused by pests, pets, and physical forces such as digging or people jumping over the fence.
Vinyl Fences
Vinyl fences have become very popular due to their performance, durability, and different material and color options. One benefit you get with vinyl fences is that if one section is damaged, you can replace that section without affecting the rest of the fence. Vinyl fences can be expensive to replace, but leaving a hole or other damage as-is might lead to further damage. It is therefore important to patch the hole or damaged part before you think about replacing the section or the whole fence.
Chain Link Fences
Chain link fences are very durable, but they are susceptible to rust. If a section of your fence has started to rust, it is important to replace that section because there is little you can do in terms of repairing a chain-link fence. Also, rust can spread to unaffected areas which means the problem will get worse the more you wait to replace the rusted sections.
Taking care of your fence by doing the necessary repairs, or replacing a section of the fence, is not only important for aesthetic reasons, but also for security reasons. If you cannot do the repairs or replacement yourself, it is always a good idea to call a contractor to get an estimate on the cost of either the repairs or replacement as well as how long either will take.
