Etobicoke Handyman: 4 Types of Fence Damage

Residential and commercial fences serve many purposes, including providing security, privacy and a put-together look for a front lawn. However, sometimes property owners can have a difficult time telling the difference between normal wear and tear on a fence and the type of damage that necessitates contacting fence repair services in Etobicoke. Here are four types of fence damage to look out for. 

1. Holes

Holes in a fence, depending on their size, allow people to see through the fence and permit animals to crawl through to the other side of the fence. This defeats two of the most common purposes of a fence, which are privacy and keeping pets on one side of the fence and wild animals on the other. One of the main causes of fence holes is bad weather; large amounts of rain, for instance, can lead to rot in a wooden fence that causes gaps and holes. Insects are another cause, as they can chew through the wooden posts and produce unsightly and unsafe holes. Carpenter ants, termites and certain beetles tend to chew through wood, so property owners should be aware if they see any of those bugs on their wooden fence. 

When a professional comes to fix holes in a fence, they might also offer suggestions on how best to prevent holes from occurring in the future. For example, since wooden fences are more prone to holes, they might suggest eventually installing a fence made of another type of material, if possible. Another solution might be to stain the wooden fence to help protect the material. 

2. Warped Sections

Fence warping can be caused by bad weather such as high winds, or simply by time. Warping is a natural phenomenon that nearly every fence will experience eventually. However, certain materials like wood are likely to warp more quickly than materials such as iron or metal. This is due to the behaviour of wood around water. Each time the material is exposed to water, it expands and then shrinks again as it dries. Those who work for fence post repair services in Etobicoke can do certain things to delay warping if someone chooses to get a wooden fence.

3. Stains

Many things can cause stains on a fence, from bird excrement to mildew to sunlight. Some of these things, such as bird excrement, can be washed off some fences fairly easily. If someone wants to install a fence under a power line where birds might set, for instance, they might consider installing a metal fence that is easier to wash and maintain than a wooden fence. 

In addition to material, consider the colour of the fence before having one installed. A darker-coloured fence, for example, might hide some stains more easily but might be more prone to damage from the sun’s UV rays. Consult with a professional if there are any doubts regarding what to use to clean a fence, as certain chemicals and brushes can make the stain worse. 

4. Tilted Posts

Tilted posts are not only unsightly but pose a danger to whatever a property owner is trying to contain inside the fence. Like warps, tilted posts can be caused by bad weather or simply time. However, tilted posts can also be caused by the ground underneath shifting. A professional fence service can help determine the cause of tilted posts so they can provide the property owner with the best solution possible.

Property owners should contact Handyman Connection at the first notice of any signs of damage to their fence. Early attention to these problems will help to keep the fence in good shape.