Should You Repair Or Replace Your Old Fence?
If you maintain your fence by resealing and removing brush, it can last between 10 and 15 years! Of course, no fence lasts forever. Apart from becoming an eyesore that mars your neighborhood, a damaged fence can bring down the value of your property or increase the cost of insurance or violate the rules of your HOA. You’ll eventually have to decide whether to make repairs or replace it entirely.
When You Can Repair Your Fence
You can fill holes or cracks with putty to prolong the life of your fence. Replacing a single panel or section is another option if the job is small and affordable. Many people use the 20% rule, which says you can repair your fence when less than 20% of it is damaged.
This might seem like a low number, but repairing and reconnecting multiple parts of a damaged fence can quickly become costly and time-consuming! It’s even possible for a repair of a small section to cost more than replacing your fence, making repairing financially unwise.
When to Replace a Fence
If you follow the 20% rule, you’ll want to replace your fence well before even the majority of it becomes damaged. On top of that, you should opt for a replacement fence if your fence is at the end of your life cycle. You’ll wind up replacing it soon, anyway.
When you’re dealing with certain issues, it just makes sense to replace your old fence. Termites, especially the subterranean variety, can form large colonies in your fence beneath the ground. By the time you notice them, your fence may be substantially damaged and can easily break or fall. In this case, replacing your entire fence is the best and safest option.
Dry termites do less damage beneath the surface, so you may be able to get away with repairing only the infected part of your fence and applying a pest-control product instead of doing a complete replacement. Either way, you may want to work closely with your fence provider and pest control to get to the root of the problem.
The Benefits of Fence Replacement
If you do go ahead with the replacement, you might want to consider alternatives to traditional wood. Vinyl and composite fencing both come in a variety of styles, require less maintenance, and are more durable than wood over time. Cement is another option if you want durability with low maintenance, although not everyone is a fan of the aesthetic.
Fortunately, Western Fence Co is happy to provide estimates for potential clients in Utah to help them determine whether replacing or repairing a fence is the better option for them.
