Fences can sustain extensive damage after significant weather events that occur in its area. There are three key signs to look out for that may indicate your fence has sustained weather related damage.

1. Broken or Missing Boards or Noticeable Holes and Gaps

Storms that contain high gusts of winds can be especially damaging to property in its path. High winds often rip off fence portions like boards or planks. At times, entire panels could be blown down or broken in some manner. Also, holes and gaps in the fence are also commonly related to some kind of strong or sustained weather incident.

Weather related occurrences put wooden fences in general at greater risk for damages. This is especially true when the fence has been allowed to fall into a disrepair state such as sagging gates or large fence portions among other factors.

Whole sections of a fence may break loose and be lifted away to land elsewhere and/or or results in greater damage to unprotected windows, roofs and other structural components. Dangerous mudslides and landslides may occur unexpectedly bringing a ton of debris with it able to destroy many structures such as a fence. The powerful force that these events cause can result in toppling over or otherwise damaging a fence along with nearby structures. In addition, the cleanup can be horrendous and is best left to professionals.

It is crucial for property owners to take account of their fence following a powerful storm that included strong wind gusts common with tornadoes or hurricanes. Even a strong thunderstorm could be enough to make a damaging impact on your fence.

After the storm or other related weather event has passed, and everyone in your household is determined to be safe, make an initial fence inspection. However, if there are dangerous conditions present, call for a fencing contractor to perform this task for you.

It is common for strong storms, flooding, heavy snowfalls, hailstones and ice accumulations to cause massive property damage including to fences which are in the storm’s path. Downed power lines, rushing and deep-water flooding and toppled trees or large tree limbs can all present a hazard for property owners and others near the property.

2. Debris That Has Accumulated Especially Following Storms

After a heavy storm, a property owner may notice that there is significant debris that has accumulated near or on their fence. This debris could contain twigs, dirt, oils, paper products and other items sometimes getting stuck to a fence’s surface. These types of debris are often hard to clean and hiring a professional fencing contractor could be your best bet.

3. Signs of Discoloration, Stains or Rot

Other potential signs of weather and environmental related damages to a fence are the development of discolorations on the fence wooden planks, boards, slabs and/or posts. You may notice surface level chips of paint peeling away or other dark stains of unknown cause.

If your wooden fence is unfinished, you might begin to see areas where the wood color is different usually faded looking. This kind of damage is likely due to sun exposure. Even treated wooden fences need inspected for these damage signs, as manufacturer applied protective finishes may not be properly done or the wrong sealant or other protective finish was not effective enough.

If your wooden fence is painted, paint can fade and become flaky in regions that have harsh sunlight on a regular basis and in other geographical areas where more extreme weather events are unexpectedly developing. Sunlight can cause bleached out looking spots and stains that can clue you in to the cause of these marks.

Property owners wanting to keep their fences in good condition and repair should be especially diligent in looking for dry rot. This can occur even if there is not a significant amount of moisture in the environment where the fence is installed.

This will look like dark stained areas where the warping is found. You might notice crumbling of the affected wood leaving the area to become overly dry and brittle. These pieces of damaged wood can then easily break off at the slightest touch or after a strong gust of wind. Oftentimes, rot on a wooden fence is caused by mold or mildew spores that begin to grow on the damaged parts.

Weather can cause a lot of damage to wooden fences, and the best way to resolve these issues is to protect the wood from various types of damage.

Lightening Can Strike a Fence & Cause Significant Damage & Is a Risk for Anyone Standing Nearby

Storms and other related weather conditions should never be taken for granted that it will pass without damage. Lightening, in particular, can indeed strike fences and other nearby structures, and this poses a huge safety and health risk for anyone standing nearby when these events happen.

Never go outside to check on fences or other outdoor objects during a storm that is generating thunder and lightning. Wait until the storm has passed, and then carefully inspect your grounds and structures outside or call a professional building and/or fencing contractor to ensure that everything is alright.

Your fence may become damaged during storms, hot sunshine and other related events. Always be safe when inspecting fence damages after such a weather event. Contact Denco Fence Company by phone at (303) 223-6902 or request an estimate from our online form.