Fence Repairs—Symptoms of Progressive Decline in Your Timber Fence
Fences are ubiquitous features on a majority of properties. Whether you constructed a fence for privacy reasons or want to keep your property secure from intruders, it is undeniable that your fence plays an essential role in maintaining your peace of mind. Nonetheless, fences are not immune to decline. Considering that they are exposed to Australia's changing weather elements on a daily basis, fences will eventually start to exhibit signs of deterioration. The extent of the deterioration, as well as the pace at which it happens, will highly depend on the material that you utilised for fence construction. For example, timber fences in coastal areas will start to degrade prematurely due to the humidity and salt in the air. To ensure that your timber fence remains in viable condition, look out for the following symptoms that will require immediate addressing.
The timber fence has started to decay
Rot is one of the biggest threats posed to timber fencing. No matter how much care and maintenance you put in retaining the integrity of the supplies, precipitation, saturated soil and other elements will lead to the onset of rot on the parts of your fence that are exposed to these inhospitable environments.
Decomposition doesn't just make your fence look unattractive. The further the decay spreads, the weaker the structure becomes. Thus, it is only going to be a matter of time before the fencing collapses in on itself. Luckily, if the decay is caught in time, you can have your fence repair contractors extract the affected areas and replace them with solid wood.
The timber fence is infested with insects
Pest infestations are not just a concern to have about the interior of your home. Considering that these pests make their way into your home from the exterior, it is likely that they will infest other structures first before they start to forage indoors. Timber fences are a prime breeding ground for insects for various reasons. Firstly, the timber is made up of cellulose, which is fibre that a host of insects feed on. Thus, you are at risk of a termite outbreak on your property.
Secondly, some insects will not only forage for food from your fence but will build their homes inside it. Burrowing pests end up living inside the fencing supplies, and this will compromise the integrity of your fence dramatically. Depending on how overrun with pests your fence is, your fencing contractor will either repair the damaged parts or recommend having the timber fence replaced in its entirety.