A properly built and well-maintained fence can last a long time. A maintenance program can help you stay on schedule with routine fence checks and repairs. Here are a few tips to help extend the life of your fences.
Maintenance
1Wires
Fence wires will naturally loosen over time with seasonal changes. Keep fence wires properly stretched by putting several small kinks or creases in the wire with pliers, a hammer or a special tool designed for this. If wire tighteners are on the fence, check them at least twice a year. Splice any broken wires when necessary.
Woven wire and barbed wire fences can deteriorate over time. Restore them by running an electric wire on one or both sides of the fence to contain livestock.
2Weed control
Use herbicides or manual clearing to control weeds and vines. Grass and weeds touching an electrified wire can ground it out and make the fence ineffective. An inexpensive fence tester should be used to make sure the fence is working properly.
3Repairs and supplies
Repair or replace anchor post assemblies whenever they show signs of weakness and refasten any loose wires to posts.
Keep fencing supplies such as nails, staples and small tools handy with a carpenter’s apron, and invest in a good pair of gloves. Specialized fencing pliers are a good investment for anyone building or maintaining fences.
Sources: University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture.
(Farm and Dairy is featuring a series of “101” columns throughout the year to help young and beginning farmers master farm living. From finances to management to machinery repair and animal care, farmers do it all.)
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I think that it is a really wise thing that you said how you need to keep fence wires attached properly as well as having proper tools. Hiring professionals to help with your fencing would be really helpful because they would know how to best fix things. I assume that they would also be super helpful if you wanted to install a new fence line or something like that.
It’s helpful that you said to control the weeds and vines around your fence. I have this fence I just had installed and I want to make sure I take care of it well. I’ll have to buy some herbicide to make sure the weeds don’t grow around the fence.
It’s good to learn that you should get your fence post replaced or repaired when it starts to show signs of weakness. My wife and I are preparing to get a new fence and we were wondering how we can make sure it lasts a long time. I’ll be sure to tell her that we should get the fence repaired right when it shows signs of weakness.
That’s a good idea to repair the fence anywhere where it looks weak. I am considering getting a face installed to help keep a horse I am thinking about getting on my property, and I would want to make sure that it won’t break down the fence or anything. I’ll make sure to have someone come and fix the fence anytime I feel concerned about its structural integrity.
My daughter just bought a house in fall river ma and we would welcome our third grandchild this year, so she would like to make the backyard look great with a marion fence company and patio where lots of plants and flowers could stay here for long. We consider choosing the right fence based on our space and needs as well as planning to hire a local fencing company with good integrity from now on. We would try calling some companies for consultancy and free quotes regarding our issue so any suggestion would be pretty much welcomed, thank you all. Many hugs, Johnny
Good post. I like your insights here. Anyway, my daughter just bought a house in fall river ma and we would welcome our third grandchild this year, so she would like to make the backyard look great with stained fence and patio where lots of plants and flowers could stay here for long. We consider choosing the right fence based on our space and needs as well as planning to hire a local fencing company and fence company fall river ma with good integrity from now on. We would try calling some companies for consultancy and free quotes regarding our issue so any suggestion would be pretty much welcomed, thank all. Many hugs, Johnny
Good stuff, very good tips and well organized. Some anchor post of my fence show signs of weakness and I am also looking into replacing my fence, but i think it’s beyond my DIYability so i would consider a marion fence company, my locality. I just wonder would this be good choice for me ?