The weather, the radio stations, and the memes on the internet all agree: winter is coming. Now that Halloween is behind us, most people are looking ahead to winter holidays and winter weather. If you own a home with a fence, this should include doing essential maintenance before the brunt of the winter weather hits. Your fence does an essential job of protecting your home, keeping your family secure, and providing privacy. You need to return the favor. Read on for some critical work you need to do to protect your fence through the winter.
Wood Fencing
Wood fencing is sturdy and beautiful, but it does take a beating, especially when moisture is involved. Even the most dedicated homeowner, who never forgets seasonal wood fence maintenance, will eventually see some of the wood fencings succumb to rot (it is a natural process). If your fence shows signs of rot and wear, you need to address it before winter weather hits. If you don’t, the moisture and freezing temperatures will cause the damage to worsen and may make it much more expensive to fix. Remove any rotten sections and replace them with new wood.
Aluminum Fencing
Aluminum fencing is incredibly durable and sturdy, but it can still be damaged if struck or weighed down with enough force. First, check the concrete base for cracks – moisture and freezing temperatures can cause these cracks to worsen over the winter through the freeze-thaw cycle and undermine the sturdiness of the whole fence. You should also check for trees and branches that might fall over in winter storms and land on your fence, causing damage. Whenever possible, remove these potentials for damage.
Vinyl Fencing
Vinyl fencing is an incredibly popular choice for residential fences because it is easy to install, cost-effective, and sturdy. It doesn’t need very much maintenance, and it can usually stand up to any wind, rain, or other weather. However, allowing freezing snow to remain around the base of your vinyl fence for extended periods of time during the winter could lead to damage such as sagging, warping, discoloration, or even cracking. Your best bet is to remove snow from the base of the fence as soon as possible. To prepare for this winter work, take the time now to clear leaves, branches, and other growth away from the base of the fence so you can get in there and remove the snow when it gets here.
HAVE QUESTIONS? ASK HERCULES CUSTOM IRON
If you are ready to install your chain link fence and add railings or you still have some more questions, we here at Hercules Custom Iron are here to help. We have many years of experience and will ensure that your chain link fence will serve you and your family for years. Visit us online or call us at 1-800-331-2590. For advice, updates, and to see what we are up to, be sure to follow us on social media on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Pinterest.