It’s that time of year again – the cold weather is settling in and making life just a bit more difficult. One thing you may not have considered is how the cold winter weather affects your fence. Winter can be hard on fences, so it’s important to take some preventative steps to protect them. In this blog post, we will discuss how winter can impact fences and what you can do to protect them.
The Ways Winter Weather Affects Your Fence
As the weather starts to cool down, it’s important to take into consideration how the winter weather affects your fence. Winter’s cooler temperatures and increased moisture and wind can cause a lot of damage to fences. For example, winter weather can cause your fence to:
Rust
In the winter, added moisture from snow and rain can cause your fence to rust. Your fence may be completely made of metal. Alternatively, you may just have metal on posts, screws, or your gate. Whatever the case, you need to keep an eye out for potential issues. If you don’t take steps to protect your fence from rusting, it can quickly deteriorate.
Freeze
The cold winter air can cause metal parts on your fence to freeze. This can cause the metal to break or crack, which will leave your fence vulnerable.
Collapse
Heavy snowfall and high winds can lead to your fence collapsing. If you live in an area that is prone to winter storms, it’s important to take steps to protect your fence from damage.
Warp
While metal fences are prone to rusting and freezing, wood fences can warp. Warping is caused by the expansion and contraction of the materials due to extreme temperature changes. Warping can cause your fence to become unstable and may lead to it collapsing.
Become Unstable
Even if winter weather conditions don’t take your fence down, they can destabilize it. This can make your fence more susceptible to wind and weather damage as the season continues.
What You Can Do To Impact Winter Weather Affects Your Fence
The weather in winter can take a toll on your fence. Here are some tips on how to protect your fence from harsh winter weather conditions.
Inspect Your Fence
Regularly inspect your fence for any damage that may have been caused by the wind, snow, or ice. If there’s been a recent storm, you should definitely take a look to see if anything has changed.
Check Screws and Nails
As part of your regular inspections, make sure to check screws and nails to make sure they are still secure. If any of them have come loose, you can use a hammer or screwdriver to re-tighten them.
Repair Any Damage
The benefit of regularly checking on your fence is that you can notice and address damage as soon as possible. Even if it looks like a minor issue, it’s best to tend to it quickly before the problem escalates. For example, a small crack or rot in a wooden fence post may not seem like a big deal. However, if you let the issue linger, the post may eventually split and the fence will collapse. Better to replace a broken fence panel than a whole fence!
Apply a Protective Coating
If you have a metal fence, you can apply a protective coating to help prevent rusting. There are many different types of coatings available, so be sure to do your research before selecting one. The same goes for wooden fences. There are many products such as sealants, paints, etc. that can help protect your fence from warping and weather damage.
Trim Overhanging Branches
If you have trees near your fence, make sure to trim back any branches hanging over the top. Heavy snow or ice accumulation can cause branches to snap and fall on your fence, which could do serious damage.
Clear Away Debris
Along with branches hanging over your fence, leaves and other debris may have gathered around your fence posts and panels. Removing this debris can help avoid extra moisture from rusting your metal fence or rotting your wooden one.
Takeaways
Winter weather can take a toll on your fence. Between the extreme temperatures and the snow and ice, your fence can suffer some serious damage. With the information and tips above, you will be prepared to protect your fence from the winter weather. And if you have any questions about repairing your fence or installing a new, sturdier fence, please contact the pros at The Bravo Fence Company today!
