8 Signs that Your Fence Needs Repairing

The best feature of most quality Australian fences is that they’re low maintenance and made to last. However, eventually, your fence will need repairing (or replacing altogether) due to its age, exposure to elements, or animals. So, what are eight key signs that your fence needs repairing?

If your fence is a durable model installed professionally, chances are it’s not crossed your mind in a while. You don’t need to keep a detailed log or check every day to try to figure out when your fence needs replacing. Unless there is a major storm or incident that knocks half of it out in one go, chances are the damage will be minor and easily amended once figured out. We’ve rounded up some common factors if you want to know the signs to look out for that your fence needs repairing ask for Fencing Melbourne.

#1 Not containing your pets

If you have pets, your fences main job may be to keep them inside your backyard. Dogs, and some cats too, may make it a habit to scratch at or under a portion of your fence. Constant physical attacks can compromise a part of your fence and cause a hole. This can be more common in wooden or wire fencing when it’s a material that can be worn down by scratching it. One way you’ll know it needs repairing: if your pet escapes! Otherwise, you may notice before, from seeing a hole on the other side or realising your pet is always going to one part of your backyard. For damage like this, it usually just needs a spot or hole patch-up.

#2 Shaking or swaying in harsh weather

If you have an incredibly windy or stormy day and notice your fence is moving more than it should, it may need a repair. This could mean that the posts holding it in the ground are loose, or the overall structure is compromised. You may only notice a small part of it shaking, in which case you can just fix that section of the fence. This repair may mean reinforcing your wall with more robust, hardier posts that can stand up against weather events in the future.

#3 Your fence is rotting or rusting

This can happen in a short period for non-quality materials, although an also happen over a much longer period for premium materials. If your fence is wood, you may find termites eating or the wood rotting. If it’s aluminium or steel, you may find rusting. This type of damage needs to be fixed completely e.g. replacing the entire panel or slat that’s affected. If you patch it over, you’ll continue to have troubles. Jim’s Fencing offer only treated wood, or galvanized steel for their products, so they have a much larger shelf life.

#4 Your fence is on a lean

This can happen due to the posts or supports being compromised. It will be subtle for many weeks, and then suddenly your fence will be learning over further than the leaning tower of Pisa. If your fence is severely leaning, it may be more optimal to get it replaced rather than repaired. At the very least, you may need sections of it e.g. the posts, to be replaced.

#5 Peeling paint

If your paint is peeling, it’s not only an aesthetic issue. This can also open up the material underneath, wrought iron or steel, up to the elements which may cause rusting. The paint may have been the treatment to protect your integral structure against rust, so if it’s peeling a lot it’s best to get it repainted. Try to make sure this time that it’s of a premium paint brand that has treatment features as well as style points.

#6 Accidental damage

There are many large-scale events that would require urgent repair or replacement. Such as a storm that causes a tree or large object to fall on your fence, backing your car into your fence, or something equally destructive. In those cases, you should move quickly to replace it. Not only can one part being damaged compromise your overall fence’s structure, it can also affect your privacy and safety.

#7 Warped or bent metal

Your aluminium or steel fence may become warped or sagging over time. When this happens, it’s better to move quickly to fix this issue. If you leave it over a longer period, the leaning portion can cause strain on the overall structure and may cause the entire thing to be replaced.

#8 Joints or locks are damaged or worn down

If your joints of the fence are rusting, warped, stuck, or loose, these need to be repaired as soon as possible. They are the part of the fence keeping it all together, and they can be a huge detriment to your fence barrier. You may need to replace just these, or if they have warped into the post or structure, replace the larger panel or slat.

For all of your fence repairing needs, Jim’s Fencing have been servicing properties around Australia for over 20 years. Phone 13 15 46 to discuss your fencing needs.