How to Protect Your Fence Panels for Winter
For the past few months, you’ve enjoyed summer gatherings and barbecues in the backyard with your eye-catching fence panels as a lovely backdrop. But with winter now creeping up on you, there are preparations you need to make to protect your fence panels.
The lower temperatures of the winter months can definitely hurt your fence panels if you’re not ready. How dreadful it would be to go back outside and find out that your beautiful fence has been warped or toppled by the cold!
Fortunately, you can keep your fence in top shape by getting it ready for the change of seasons. Take note of these 4 steps to protect your fence panels this winter.
4 Steps to Protect Your Fence Panels for Winter
1. Check for Existing Damage
Cold temperatures can worsen existing damage. A winter storm may also be all it needs for the most worn-down panels and posts to fall over. Inspect your fence and replace or reinforce any part of the fence that’s close to giving way. You’ll also want to give your fence a once-over right after any storm.
2. Trim the Branches of Overhanging Trees
It can be painful to peek outside and realize that a couple of your fence panels have been crushed by a large fallen tree branch. At the same time, fence repairs can be terribly costly. Who knew that a single branch could cost you a few hundred dollars, anyway? Trim back overhanging trees to avoid this situation!
3. Apply Fence Preservatives
With a few coats of the right preservative, you can easily ward off pests and fungi that might contribute to rot on your fence. Take note that fence panels made of pressure-treated wood will need a different preservative from untreated panels.
It’s highly advisable to clean your fence before applying preservatives. This is a great excuse to fire up the power washer! Just be sure that your fence panels are completely dry before proceeding.
TIP: You can check whether your fence panels are still waterproof by splashing them with some water. It’s a good sign if water droplets stay on the surface instead of being absorbed by the panels.
4. Keep the Fence Base Dry
A constantly wet fence can easily become a rotting fence. You’ll want to keep the bottom edges of your fence panels from touching the ground. Clear the fence of any ground debris, and be sure that water can drain away from the fence after heavy rain.
Anticipating a white winter wonderland in your area? Be sure that you pile snow away from your fence whenever you clear your yard, driveway, or nearby sidewalks. Use a broom to brush off any snow that has fallen on the fence, too. This will prevent wet snow from soaking your fence panels and damaging them as it melts.
These 4 steps can ensure that your fence panels will be as sturdy and beautiful as they ought to be once spring comes in. In the meantime, you can lounge around in thick blankets with your loved ones or take a look at some simple weekend makeover ideas for a productive winter.
Author Bio:
George Katsoudas is a Digital Marketing Professional who works as the Managing Director of Low Cost SEO, a digital marketing firm in Sydney and a Digital Media Manager for House of Bamboo, offering Australia the most varied collection of classic and new natural materials.
Company Bio:
House of Bamboo is Australia’s trusted source of eco-friendly and high-quality natural materials that can be integrated into contemporary settings. Our range encompasses high-quality bamboo fencing, timber cladding, privacy screens, decorative screens, ceiling panels, rattan cane webbing, fence panels, and pool certification.
