Wood fences can last a long time, but they don’t last indefinitely.
Eventually, the time will come when a homeowner needs to call a fence company to have the old one removed and a brand new one installed.
Waiting too long to arrange fencing services can leave one with an eyesore that cannot serve its purpose of creating an attractive and sturdy property boundary.
When these signs start appearing, it’s time to start planning to replace an old fence with a strong, new one.
1. Leaning Fence
The posts are the integrity of any fencing installation, so when they start leaning it is never a good sign.
A fencing repair company can remedy this issue when it involves only one or two posts but if it is widespread, it suggests more serious problems.
Long sections of leaning fence mean the posts are decomposing and losing their strength or there is a problem with how they were set.
In either case, replacing the fence is the only option.
2. Many Broken or Missing Boards
Broken, splitting, and missing boards may happen over time, but if not repaired as it does, it can make a fence look unkempt while also affecting its stability.
Fencing companies find that if the problem is worsening and more boards are being affected, it means the wood is old and dry and needs to be replaced.
3. Many Tiny Holes Throughout The Wood
Fences that appear to be covered in lots of tiny pinholes are infested by either wood-eating insects or some kind of microorganism eating away at the wood.
It usually happens to older, drier wood, further weakening the structure of the whole installation.
There is no stopping it once this type of deterioration has begun, so a call to a fencing service to pull it all out and install a new one is the best solution.
4. Splintering Wood
Fencing that splinters and breaks easily is suffering from UV damage and dry rotting due to loss of natural oils and not enough moisture protection.
Pressure-treated and water-sealed fences last much longer without experiencing this issue.
Once the wood degrades to that point, the integrity of every affected board or post is in question.
This is a sure sign to hire a fence company to do a new fencing installation.
5. Stains and Discoloration
While the silvery patina of weathered fencing can look appealing, yellow or gray/black streaks do not.
Both are a sign of wood rot caused by microorganisms and the eventual demise of the fence.
As it is not something a fencing repair company can fix other than removing the affected parts, replacing the fence is the optimal solution when the problem is widespread.
Fences With Signs of Damage Should Be Replaced
When dealing with fencing problems like those mentioned above, there is a fine line between what should be fixed and what needs to be replaced.
Having a fencing company repair a board or two is a normal part of fence maintenance; however, if the problem is more widespread, repairing these components is only a band-aid.
A strong, good-looking new fence by a local fencing service is the best option whenever faced with any of these fence-killing symptoms!
