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Fence Maintenance in 5 Steps

Does a fence require maintenance? If so, how do you do it? When should you do it? Let's find out together in this video. Hi everyone, I'm Marco from Fenceshop, the e-commerce of Rete Plastic. Does a fence require maintenance? It's easy to think that a fence, once purchased and installed, can last forever. Unfortunately, that's not the case. Like many other things, a minimum of maintenance is necessary to preserve the product, make it last longer, and ensure the safety of people and property. Let's look at the five essential steps for good fence maintenance, each accompanied by photos to better explain everything.

Before starting, remember to leave a like on the video and subscribe to the channel if you are interested in the world of fences.

1. Checking the posts

The first thing to check in a fence is the posts. Look at this photo of an old, rusty post. Even if it looks solid, it might not be. Time and rust degrade the post. The first thing to do is check each post by giving it a tap to see if it is still stable. If it's not, you need to do some welding, replace the post, or repaint it to extend its life. Posts are the most important part of the fence, the skeleton that supports it.

2. Checking the tension wires

The second element to check is the tension wires, those horizontal wires that are tensioned and, along with the posts, create the skeleton of the fence. In my case, I installed a sunshade on a 20-year-old fence and noticed that the tension wires had become loose. It's normal for the wires to loosen over time due to the settling and expansion of materials. You need to check them, re-tighten the turnbuckles, and put them back in tension. If a wire is broken, it needs to be fixed. The important thing is to have the tension wires well-tensed and in order.

3. Checking the mesh

The third aspect to check is the mesh itself. After the posts and wires, comes the mesh. What can happen to the mesh? It can sag due to weight, grass growing inside and pulling it down, or it can get damaged on the sides. In these cases, it needs to be retightened and re-tied, lifted if it has sagged, and fixed. A well-maintained mesh is essential for the stability of the fence.

4. Checking the gates

The fourth element to check is the gates. It is very important to check the hinges, grease them, and adjust them as over time they settle and might not close properly. The lock should also be checked and oiled. These small defects are normal but require maintenance to ensure safety. Gates are a delicate part of the fence and malfunctioning can cause safety issues.

5. Checking for climbing plants

Finally, it is important not to let climbing plants like ivy grow on the fence. These plants can create a barrier that, with the first gust of wind, can pull down the fence. Look at this photo of a sports facility where ivy caused a piece of the fence to fall. It's a common problem even in rural fences. Climbing plants and grass can create a wall that bends the posts with the first gust of wind. Therefore, regular maintenance is important to prevent weeds and plants from growing on the fence.

Other factors of deterioration

Another cause of deterioration for fences is saltiness, especially if they are near the sea. Saltiness damages ferrous materials and can cause problems in the long run. Unfortunately, there isn't much that can be done in these cases. Maintenance should be done once a year, along with other garden work. A visual and tactile inspection of the posts, mesh, and gate is sufficient. Checking and greasing the gate once a year is more than enough.

I know that when it comes to maintenance, many think about not doing it regularly. I do the same with many things. But let's not forget that maintenance is important. If we don't regularly take care of our fence, we waste money. Small precautions will help our fence last longer.

The video ends here. Thanks for watching. I hope you enjoyed it. If you have something to say, leave it in the comments. I'm curious to read your experiences and respond to you. Remember to subscribe to the channel, leave a like on the video, and visit our websites www.reteplastic.it and www.fenceshop.eu, our e-commerce where you will find many products dedicated to fences. Thanks and see you in the next video. Bye!