Maintenance Tips for Your Aluminum Fence
The “Big Question”
When purchasing a major addition to your home, a question every consumer has is “How long will this last?”. This is a valid question and can be the difference between installing the item today or abandoning the idea altogether. Fortunately, the answer to this question is music to the ears of anyone who is looking to install an aluminum fence from us.
The answer is: Your fence will last as long as you want it to! If you use the information in this article, your fence will look brand new for the lifetime of your property! Aluminum Fence Direct uses cutting-edge technology in our powder coating paint to ensure the coat will never crack, peel, or chip for the lifetime of your home. This means that your coat of paint will look as good as it did the day you installed it for as long as you have the fence on your property. On the rare occasion that the paint does begin to chip or come off, our lifetime warranty has you covered!
Now that you know what we are doing to ensure your aluminum fence lasts decades on your home or property, here are a few steps that you can take in order to keep your fence looking good as new, year after year.
Preventing Water Damage
Although aluminum is extremely rust and corrosion-resistant, there are other ways that water can affect the strength of your aluminum fence. If you live in an area with heavy rainfall, it would be in your best interest to prevent water from pooling at the base of your fence. If a portion of your fence is submerged in water for extended periods of time, water damage is inevitable. With that in mind, create a system of draining rainfall away from your fence if at all possible.
If you have a property that is prone to extreme water flow after heavy rainfall, we advise you to divert the water flow away from your fence. Consistent water flow on the base of your fence can cause a number of problems. The first is the ground itself; over time the soil will be loosened and washed away at the base of your fence, which can greatly reduce the strength of your fence. The harsh water flow will also likely result in water damage to the base of your fence, which can not only weaken the fence but can also reduce the curbside appeal of your property.
Although our aluminum fences are durable and reliable, mother nature can pack a serious punch if you don’t take these simple steps. So get out your pen and paper, because we are about to tell you a few more secrets to keeping your fence looking great year after year.
Death From Above
“The Sky Is Falling! The Sky Is Falling!”. If you’ve ever been a fan of Chicken Little, then you know how serious something like the sky falling can be. Fortunately, the sky is not falling, but the branches are. These branches can have a serious effect on your aluminum fence. Larger branches sometimes fall on their own and can scratch, bend, or even permanently damage your aluminum fence. If your property is located in an area prone to nasty weather, then this section of the article should be in big, bold letters! This is why we advise you to avoid placing your aluminum fence too close to trees or forests.
Another reason to avoid installing your fence too close to trees actually comes from the ground. New saplings sprouting up at the base of your fence can not only decrease the visual appeal of your fence, but the roots of these saplings can decrease the strength of your fence from the ground up. Though it might take a while for this to happen, roots from existing trees too close to the fence can also pose the same threat. Larger roots can wreak havoc on your fence, warping its structure and loosening the soil at its base.
Ok, so maybe the sky isn’t falling and maybe it isn’t “death from above”, but this is a very important topic in ensuring your aluminum fence is in mint condition for as long as you own the property.
Spooky Scary Vines
We’ve all seen the horror movie where a group of kids walks up to the front of a haunted mansion with stone gargoyles, broken glass windows, and of course… vine-covered fences. The kids were terrified and despite everyone in the theater screaming “Don’t Go In!”, they always enter the house. Although the kids weren’t particularly scared of the vine-covered fence, if they owned the property, they definitely would have been.
Vines and intrusive plants can be an issue for your aluminum fence for a number of reasons. Firstly, the added weight and water from the vines can weaken the fence over extended periods of time. The moisture held in these plants can cause water damage to your fence as it is pressed against the aluminum for long periods of time.
Although the argument can be made for the “desired look” of having your fence covered with vines, the potential damage it can cause your aluminum fence results in us being advocated for potted plants or trellises. That way, your property can have the same “one with nature” look and there is no chance of decreasing the integrity of your aluminum fence.
Minimal Maintenance
If you are new to aluminum fencing, let me clue you in on a secret: they require barely any upkeep! With our lifetime warranty on high-quality paint and the rust-resistant qualities of aluminum, you will never break a sweat keeping your fence looking great! The topics listed above are basic yard maintenance suggestions that you would probably do anyway.
You are getting security against the outside world, increased curbside appeal, and a beautiful addition to your property with virtually no effort! Our fences are the highest quality you can find, and with these small steps, your fence will be looking brand new year round!
