Heavy snowfall is coming our way — keep your fence in good shape.
It looks like our first big snowstorm of the winter is headed our way. Significant snowfall brings plenty of concern and chaos to the mid-Atlantic, but your fence doesn’t have to be on the receiving end of any of that chaos. As long as you keep proper fence maintenance in mind, winter fence damage will be safely on the list of things you don’t have to worry about this weekend as the blanket of snow drifts down. Once you’re all stocked up on toilet paper and milk, take a minute to read our tips to prevent any winter fence damage.
Generally Speaking…
Snow, based on recent scientific research, is wet. By that logic, when there’s a lot of snow, there’s a lot of wet. As snow melts and the water seeps into the ground, the soil can become quite saturated and soft. Your fence posts should be planted deep enough and/or rooted in a concrete base to prevent any shifting and winter fence damage, but it’s a good idea to keep an eye on your fence posts and take notice of any movement. Clear the base of your fence from any debris that may collect extra water, and if you see any shifting, make a note of it for when the snow clears so you can reinforce the strength and stability of your fence.
Winter Wooden Fence Maintenance
Prolonged exposure to moisture can be significantly harmful to a wooden fence. Wooden winter fence damage can include warping, mold, mildew, or rotting, none of which are welcome winter guests. Try to minimize exposure to moisture by clearing debris as mentioned above, and try to move some snow away from piling up excessively against the fence. If you’re really up-to-date on your fence maintenance, you may have already given your wooden fence a waterproof seal. In that case, a gold star for you!
Winter Aluminum or Steel Fence Maintenance
De-icing salts are convenient and easy to sprinkle around to deal with ice buildup, but your metal fence might not be as much of a fan. The chemicals in these products can be pretty corrosive to metal fences, and this is often an oversought instance of winter fence damage. When you’re spreading de-icing salts, do so conservatively and try to minimize contact with your fence to prevent damage.
Winter Vinyl Fence Maintenance
Vinyl fences are safe from moisture damage, making them pretty great for standing up to winter weather. However, extreme cold can make the vinyl less flexible, and therefore slightly more fragile. If you have young ones that might have a penchant for climbing over your fence, suggest that they avoid doing so during the cold months to prevent this type of winter fence damage.
Winter fence damage should be the least of your concerns this winter. These easy fence maintenance tips should keep your fence looking good and feeling good when springtime rolls around.
Let Hercules Fence Help With Your Winter Fence Maintenance!
At Hercules Fence, we specialize in the installation and maintenance of several fence styles throughout the Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina areas. Residential fencing provides a welcoming appearance to complement your home. Our sales team can offer you many selections to choose from to accommodate your privacy, semi-privacy, and decorative needs, and our professionals use only the highest quality materials to install your fence at a price that is reasonable and affordable. We also specialize in commercial fencing to keep your business safe and secure while also looking professional and welcoming.
To get started with chain link fence installation with Hercules Fence, call us today at 1-800-883-3623. You can also visit our contact page to find a full list of our locations and phone numbers.
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