Canadian winters can be exceptionally hard on your fence, and that’s why it’s important to take the time to get it ready for the cold months ahead. This applies whether you have a wood or metal fence. However, you’ll want to make sure you avoid the four mistakes below.
Otherwise, you may have an unpleasant surprise come the spring.
1. Not cleaning it
If you don’t carefully remove the dirt, dead leaves and other debris that accumulates between fence posts and gaps in chain link fences, you run the risk of having your fence suffer considerable moisture damage. Removing debris allows air to flow through, minimizing the risk of mould or mildew.
You should also spray a solution of three parts water to one-part bleach on the fence to kill any existing mould. After, simply rinse the solution away with a hose.
2. Not applying protection
Omitting to apply a protective coating could spell disaster for your fence. This is especially important for wood fences, as they’re a lot more vulnerable to moisture damage than vinyl or metal fences. Make sure to use an oil-based stain.
Wrought iron should be inspected and any rust spots treated and re-painted.
3. Not accounting for the environment
Few things are as frustrating as spending time cleaning and protecting a fence only to have a snow-laden branch break and ruin it. Don’t forget to trim any branches above or near the fence that could snap in strong winds or crack after a heavy snowfall. This will help reduce the risk of branches breaking and damaging the fence.
4. Not performing ongoing maintenance
Never forget that regular maintenance is important. As much as preparation helps, allowing ice and snow to build up against your fence could lead to some serious issues down the line. Most protective coatings won’t help if your fence is stuck in the snow all winter long, thereby leading to a costly repair. In addition, the pressure could easily loosen the fenceposts, especially in combination with freeze-thaw cycles that cause soil to move around.
Professional fencing maintenance, installation and repair services
City Fence has over 35 years of experience installing, repairing and maintaining fences of all types. We provide reliable service throughout the GTA, so whether you need a new fence or an emergency repair, we can help. Contact us today to get a free quote.