Most Common Fence Repairs to Look Out for to Ensure Your Family's Safety
If you’re letting your fence fall apart, you may be putting yourself and your family in harm’s way. While a worn down fence won’t come after you and bite you, it can lead to injury and other issues in more ways than one. Knowing the ways in which your fence can become a safety hazard will help you better maintain it in the long run. So, here are some of the most common fence problems to look out for to ensure your family’s safety.
Most Common Fence Repairs
Splintering Wood
As your wooden fence endures temperature fluctuations, moisture, wind, and other environmental factors, it may begin to erode and crack in certain locations -- these outcomes are more likely to occur if your fence isn’t well protected by paint or stain. Eventually, your fence can become quite abrasive, causing splinters, scrapes, and cuts when brushed up against. Carpentry professionals can smooth your fence’s rough edges and repair or replace splintered panels as needed. A fresh coat of stain or paint will seal the deal, preventing future injuries from occurring.
Loose Nails and Screws
The same environmental threats mentioned above can also loosen the fasteners holding your fence together. While it’s unlikely that your entire fence will fall apart overnight, screws and nails may begin protruding from the surface over time. If someone nearby is unaware of these protuberances, they can end up getting hurt -- if said fasteners are rusty, there’s also the potential for tetanus, a nasty bacterial infection. Whenever you notice this issue, then, make the proper fence repairs as soon as possible. You might simply need to refasten the nails or screws -- if the problem runs deeper, you may need to install new fasteners and/or replace panels.
Mold and Mildew
Warm, wet wood is where mold, mildew, and other fungi thrive. If mold or mildew begins to grow on your fencing, it can cause allergic responses in certain individuals, especially if they come into direct contact with the spores. These symptoms include sneezing, itchy eyes, skin rashes, and so on. Keeping up with exterior painting or staining is crucial for keeping these spores at bay. Some coatings even include fungi-killing substances (i.e., mildewicide) for additional prevention.
Rotted Base
The bottoms of fences tend to be the first areas to decompose due to their direct contact with damp soil. If rot takes over, your fence may begin to sag, lean, and/or lose pieces of material at the base. Either way, these outcomes result in a less functional fence -- one that can more easily be jumped over, crawled under, or forced down. Whether you’re trying to keep people off your property or prevent your pets and young children from escaping, this possibility is anything but ideal. As such, it’s crucial to properly treat your wooden fence posts prior to installing them. Their bases should be brushed with a wood preservative such as waterborne copper naphthenate to help prevent rotting. If your fence is beginning to rot at the base, dealing with it quickly is key for salvaging it from ruin. If you wait too long, you may need to replace portions of your fence entirely.
Pest Damage
Lastly, you’ll want to watch for signs of pest damage on your fencing, not only because this damage can weaken your fence’s integrity but also because certain wood-boring pests can be aggressive. Wasps, for instance, will often nest on or near wooden features like fences and can deliver multiple painful stings when threatened. Even less aggressive pests can trigger allergic responses, some of which may be quite serious. So, the more you do to keep pests at bay, the better. Proper fence staining will reduce certain pests’ interest in your fence and make it more difficult for them to burrow in its surfaces.
Don’t Stay on the Fence About Safety
A sturdy fence is meant to keep you and your family safe. Unfortunately, a deteriorating fence can produce the polar opposite effect. At Anderson Painting, we’re committed not only to maintaining and enhancing your property but also ensuring your family’s safety every step of the way. Whether you require our painting, staining, carpentry, pressure washing services, or something else, call today at 919-610-1855 or email us at info@andersonpaintingnc.com!
