Warning Signs of Rot or Rust on Your Fence
Lately has your fence been looking the worse for wear? One can be forgiven for wondering if a rusty streak or some softness in the wood is merely cosmetic or an indication of something more. Then there is the question of whether putting off a repair will mean having to put in a whole new fence down the road.
Let Bear Roots Fence Company put your mind at ease. We are a local concern, owned and run right here in Hawkins County, Tennessee, and we do business with the communities around the Tri-Cities. Give us a ring at (423) 537-4615 and we can have a conversation about the state of your fence.
Time takes its toll on a fence, most often in the form of rust and rot. Metal chain-link and aluminum are subject to corrosion as much as a wood fence is to decay and moisture. An early eye for trouble is the best way to stay secure and save some money. What follows are the warning signs we like to see you get ahead of.
Warning Signs Your Fence Has Rot or Rust Damage
Wood Fence Rot: What to Look For
There is no better material than natural wood for a fence, but it is always at odds with water. Moisture that works its way into the grain and lingers will bring on rot, and before long the structure is being eaten from within.
You will know your wood is going bad by these indicators:
- Wood that is spongy to the touch, yielding to a thumb or screwdriver
- Black streaks or other darkening of the wood, particularly at the post base where water is apt to pool
- Boards with a damp, musty odour
- Any fungus, moss or mushrooms making themselves at home on the surface
- More than your share of flaking or splintering, well below the level of normal weathering
- A wobble or lean to the posts from decay in the part under ground
Rot will generally start at the bottom of a post where the wood is in contact with standing water and soil. If a screwdriver goes in without resistance, that piece is soft and calls for some action.
Rust on a Metal Fence
The appeal of an aluminum or chain-link fence is the lack of upkeep required, but metal is only as good as its protective coating. Scratch that away and you leave the bare metal open to the elements and the onset of rust.
Some telltale signs of corrosion include:
- Reddish-brown or orange stains on the mesh, rails and posts
- Paint or coating that is bubbling and peeling
- The smooth give way to rough, pitted areas
- Parts of the fence that are weak enough to break or flex
- Hardware and fasteners that have corroded through or seized up
- Rust running down onto siding or concrete
Steel-based chain-link is very vulnerable once the galvanization is thin. Even with aluminum, which is more resistant, the hardware and fittings used to put the fence together may be of a different metal and still succumb to corrosion.
The Value of Early Detection
Neither rust nor rot is self-correcting; they only progress. A soft post might not seem like much, but the rot will move on to the boards next to it. Rust is just as insidious in how it weakens the metal until a panel or gate fails.
It is far less expensive to make a timely repair than to replace entire stretches of fence because one has waited too long. Make it a habit to walk the line of your fence after a hard rain or a protracted wet season and you will nip problems in the bud.
Contact Bear Roots Fence Company
A little weathering is of no consequence, but when you come across hardware that has given out, or wood that is soft and leaning, a professional should have a look. We will be straightforward with you as to what your options are for a repair or a replacement.
We have been in the fence industry for over seven years and have been of service to Greater East Tennessee since 2023. From installation to demolition, we work with all manner of wood, vinyl, aluminum and chain-link for commercial and residential clients in Johnson City, Kingsport, Bristol, Rogersville, Bean Station, Mooresburg, Greeneville and the likes. You can find us open from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week, and we provide free estimates on our services.
Call (423) 537-4615 and let us help you put an end to the rot and rust.
