Winter is a time of year that brings out the worst in Mother Nature. Snow, ice, and freezing temperatures can wreak havoc on any property’s fences! This blog post will provide you with necessary maintenance tips to help safeguard your wooden fence this winter from harsh weather conditions.
Tips for Protecting Wooden Fences from Harsh Winter Conditions
Falling Limbs
One of the biggest dangers to a wood fence during the winter is falling limbs. Trees can be susceptible to heavy ice and snow loads, which can cause branches and limbs to break off and fall onto your fence. To help protect your fence from this hazard, you should trim any overhanging tree limbs near your fence. Also, keep an eye on trees in your yard that may be close to breaking; if there is a risk of a large limb breaking off and landing on your fence, have it removed before it happens.
Managing Snow
Snow can be a fence’s worst enemy during the winter months. It is important to always remove snow from your wooden fence as soon as possible after it falls, but there are certain steps you should take if the amount of snow on your fence becomes unmanageable. First off, don’t use a shovel or any other sharp object to try and clear your wooden fence; this creates openings in which cold air can seep into and damage both the wood itself and any protective coating that may have been applied to keep out moisture.
Instead, use a leaf blower with a soft bristle attachment (i.e., not metal) to gently blow away excess snow from the surface of your wooden fence without damaging either its structure or paint job!
Preventing Accidents
If your fence is near the road, it is important to make sure you take extra precautions during the winter months. Use reflectors or lights to make your fence more visible during snowstorms. Doing so can help prevent accidents from occurring due to poor visibility of the road and sidewalk in front of your wooden fence.
Prevent Wood Decay
Moisture is the enemy of wood, and it can do a lot of damage to a wooden fence during the winter months. One way to help prevent your fence from succumbing to moisture-related decay is by applying a water repellent coating to its surface. This will create a barrier that will help keep the wood dry and healthy even when exposed to snow and ice. Home improvement stores often carry everything you will need to handle this job – from a plastic tarp to protect your grass to protective gear like work gloves.
Replace Missing Boards
If some of the boards on your wooden fence are broken or missing, replace them as soon as possible. Boards that are even slightly warped will catch more snow and ice than those which lay flat against one another, so it is important to keep all surfaces intact throughout the winter months.
Missing boards also provide a place for snow and ice to collect, which can cause the boards above them to bow or break. In addition, even if some of your fence’s wood is not visibly damaged from winter weather conditions, it may still be compromised underneath the surface; only by thoroughly inspecting all surfaces, you will know whether they need replacing.
Secure Fence Posts
If your fence posts are not securely in the ground, they can easily be knocked over by wind or snow. To help prevent this from happening, make sure to pack soil around each post and use concrete to secure them in place. With a wooden fence from Fence Builders Inc, gates are reinforced with galvanized square welded frames to keep your gate square and true.
Replace Broken Boards
If you have wood fencing, it is important to replace any broken boards or cracked wood as soon as possible. Not only does this keep your fence looking nice and neat, but it also helps safeguard the wood from moisture and decay.
Regularly Examine Your Fencing
It is a good idea to inspect your fence on a regular basis, especially during the winter months. This will help you catch any potential problems before they become too serious.
Trim Overhanging Branches
Overhanging branches can do a lot of damage to wood fencing, especially during the winter months when they are covered in snow and ice. To help prevent this from happening, trim back any branches that hang over or touch your fence. This will not only help protect your fence from damage, but it will also keep the area around your home looking neat and tidy.
Apply Water Repellent Sealant
One way to protect your wood fence from the damaging effects of winter weather is by applying a thin layer of water repellent sealant to its entire surface. This will create a barrier that will help keep the wood dry and healthy even when exposed to snow and ice.
Protect Your Fence Now For the Winter Ahead
Now that you are armed with these tips, you can rest easy knowing that your wood fencing will withstand even the harshest winter conditions! Protecting your investment now will save you money and headaches down the road.
If you take these simple steps to protect your wooden fence from winter weather, you can rest assured that your pristine wooden fence will last for many years to come!
Wood Fencing From Fence Builders Inc.
Fence Builders Inc.’s wood fences are custom built board by board using high-quality pressure-treated wood. Do you need a new fence? Wooden fencing is a great option for your property. We also offer chain link, ornamental, and vinyl fencing for property owners who want materials that don’t need as much pre-winter maintenance. Contact us today to discuss fencing options for your property.