5 Signs It’s Time To Replace Your Fencing

Is it time you installed new fences? Unfortunately, fencing doesn’t last forever – and if you own the fence, it’s your duty to replace it. Below are some signs your fencing could be due a replacement. 

Your fence has started to rot/corrode

Fences are typically made from materials that are designed to be weatherproof, but if not regularly resealed, they can still decompose. Timber fences may eventually start to rot, while metal fences can eventually corrode. When this starts to happen, it’s usually a sure sign you need to replace your fencing. Before tearing down your fencing, make sure that it’s the inner material and not the outer finish that is damaged. Repainting your fence yourself or hiring house painters could be all that’s needed if it’s just the paintwork that is damaged. 

Your fence is leaning to one side

A leaning fence can have many causes. It’s possible that the soil may have shifted, and the fence may just need to be repositioned. However, it’s more commonly a sign that the posts are rotten or damaged. While there are quick fixes to help support the fence and prevent it from leaning, your fencing will likely continue to collapse if you do not replace it. 

Your fence has splits or missing boards

It’s possible to fix splits by filling them with glue. However, you could find that this is only a temporary fix. Once a fence starts splitting, it will usually lose structural integrity elsewhere, and other cracks will start to form, and any existing splits will grow. Similarly, missing boards can be replaced but are usually a sign of some other damage (such as a rotten post, which has caused a screw to fall out). Unless your fencing is relatively new, consider replacing the entire fence as soon as you notice splits and missing boards. 

Your fence doesn’t offer enough privacy

You should also consider the style of your fence and how practical it is for your lifestyle. While some people are happy to have low fencing, picket fencing or lattice fencing that allows people to peer into their garden, others may not like being spied on by neighbours or passers-by. Opting for taller or more opaque fencing could help provide more privacy. Just be wary that this could impact how much light gets into your garden – choices like lattice fencing are sometimes deliberate to let more sunlight into a shady garden. 

Your fence doesn’t offer enough security

If you’re worried about intruders getting into your garden, you may also want to re-evaluate your fencing. Some types of fencing are harder to scale than others – tall fencing with vertical boards or fencing with spikes could be a good choice in an area with a high burglary rate. When considering security, you may also want to consider the threat of kids or pets getting out. Holes at the bottom of a fence may need to be fixed immediately – which could involve replacing the entire fence. Fortified fence bases can, meanwhile, help prevent pet dogs from digging under fences by creating a deep barrier – consider such fencing if your dog is an escape artist.