There are many reasons you might have a wire fence on your property. Whether you’re keeping livestock in check, protecting your garden from trespassers, or marking property boundaries, it is important to maintain your wire fence.
Below are a few tips to help you keep your wire fence in good working order.
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Choose a Quality Wire Fence to Start With
Building a good fence starts with choosing the right fence material. Not all fences are created equal! Investing in quality materials can save maintenance costs for the years to come.
You also want to choose the correct materials. If you are using your fence to protect livestock on a farm, for instance, you will require a different type of fence than if you are merely looking to mark boundaries.
Keep in mind that different animals require different types of fencing to be safe. For instance, barbed wire fences or fences that are hardly visible (even from a distance) should not be used with horses, as they can seriously hurt them.
Regularly Check Your Fence for Damage
Inspect your fence periodically for damage, rust, and tears and replace or repair any areas showing signs of wear.
If sections of the fence are bent or damaged, repair them as soon as possible to prevent further damage. You should also inspect for any loose or missing wires and fix them as soon as possible.
Do Not Put Too Much Weight on Your Fences
Do not put too much weight on your fences. If you want to hang anything on your fence, you need to ensure that your fence is sturdy enough to support it.
Otherwise, there is a risk that your fence may collapse or become damaged.
Apply Correct Treatments
Depending on the type of fence you get, you should find out if it has had any treatment applied to it.
If you have a wooden fence or wooden posts, for instance, you may need to apply additional treatments regularly. But even some metal fences and posts need treatment.
General Maintenance of Your Wire Fence
Firstly, your fence should be regularly cleaned of vegetation. This should be done at least a few times a year. Otherwise, it can cause damage to your fence.
Replace your old posts before they break and damage the rest of the fence. Then, ensure that your wire is kept properly tensioned – otherwise, they may be loosened over time. Additionally, to prevent damage, ensure to trim any trees and bushes that might surround your fence.
Maintenance That Varies by Type of Fence
There are many kinds of wire fences that you might get, and each will require to be looked after differently. If you want to install a wire fence, you can visit sites like McVeigh Parker. Below is some more information about individual types of fences.
Woven Wire Fences
Woven wire fences are more durable than wood. For instance, they will take less damage from unavoidable occurrences, like rain.
However, some level of maintenance still needs to apply. Some factors that may negatively impact the durability of wire fences are, for instance, snowfall, flood debris, and vegetation.
Electric Wire Fences
Due to the nature of the electric wire fences, they should be inspected often. Use a voltage tester when you inspect the fence.
If any trouble spots occur, these must be repaired immediately. You will need to look out for various factors, such as sagging wires. Ensure that the fence is posing no danger and that there are no hazards surrounding it.
The maintenance of electric wires requires technical knowledge – so if you are looking to maintain an electric fence, ensure to do research and learn more about it.
Barbed Wire Fences
The wires of barbed wire fences need to be carefully installed and then looked after to ensure they do not sag.
They will need to be examined on a regular basis, and any surroundings like vegetation, branches, and debris that could damage the fence should be removed.
Things to Keep in Mind
In summary, the maintenance you will need to apply to your fence will depend on the type of fence you have – some are low-maintenance, and some require regular checkups.
But in general, you will want to regularly check the type of fence you have for any damage. You will also want to get rid of any hazards, vegetation, branches, and debris surrounding the fence.
Be careful that your fence does not sag, and be aware of whether or not any repairs need to be done.
Do not forget that selecting the right type of fence is essential, as various types of fences have different purposes.