When should you replace your old fence?

Timber fences are great and can last 30 years if well maintained. However, they are rarely maintained as people regard fences as unimportant as long as they do the job. Some timber fences look great and suddenly they fall over because the post has rotted through. Keeping the ground around a fence as dry as possible can prevent this. Keeping the ground higher around the fence posts stops water pooling and soaking in.

A fence may need replacing long before it falls over and does damage. Yearly inspection before storm season is essential. Physically shaking the fence will expose any weakness in the posts and show any loose palings. Remember replacing the fence long before palings are falling off is essential if there are swimming pools involved. A child can easily push off old palings and get through. Ten minutes with a nail gun will temporarily fix this problem till the fence is replaced. Steel fences are a lot better for around pools as they do not fall to pieces after time and they cannot be climbed easily.