Aluminum fencing is incredibly strong, durable, and lightweight. But nothing’s invincible. So, what should you do when your aluminum fence is damaged?
Let’s discuss the most common damages homeowners with Aluminum Fences face, how to prevent them, and how to overcome them.
Can weather damage aluminum fences?
As we explored in Aluminum Fences in Extreme Weather: How They Stand Up to Nature’s Challenges, our fences boast a high strength-to-weight ratio. That means it’s easy to move and install but very difficult to break.
Aluminum fences also have a high wind load, making them ideal for coastal living. They can withstand velocities of 115 miles per hour. For context, a category two hurricane has 96 – 110 mph winds.
Unlike wooden fences, aluminum is resistant to mold and mildew. You might need to occasionally cut back climbing vegetation or scrub off persistent lichen. However, that’s just simple maintenance.
What is aluminum fencing’s vulnerability?
Aluminum fencing’s most vulnerable component is the post anchors. When you install your fence, you dig holes around 18 inches deeper for the posts. Then, you fill them with concrete. Some DIYers suggest gravel, but concrete is sturdier and will last longer.
Erosion and soil degradation can loosen these anchors, damaging the integrity of your fence. Excess rain can lead to soggy, muddy soil, and it can also loosen your anchors.
If you have a sloped yard, aluminum fences can curve with your natural landscape. However, it also makes you susceptible to soil creep. Soil creep is the very slow, downhill movement of soil. If you’ve seen tree trunks that bend or curve near their bases, that’s a sign of soil creep.
Protect your home by checking your aluminum fence posts.
If you suspect your fence posts are becoming loose, you can prepare a wiggle test. See how far the posts can move within the soil.
Luckily, you can easily fix this vulnerability by reinforcing your posts with more concrete. Read our article, Expert Tips for DIY Aluminum Fence Installation, for more help.
How can you repair dents and scratches on aluminum fences?
Small dents and minor scratches are probably the most common type of damage. Hits from the lawnmower or weed wacker are the usual culprits.
You can repair dents and scratches on aluminum fences with aluminum repair epoxy or filler compound. Use them to fill in dents and scratches. Once you apply it to the damaged area, you can smooth it out to appear flush. After it sets, you can apply primer and paint it to match the rest of the fence.
What about significant damage to my Aluminum Fence? What should I do if something like a car crashes into my aluminum fence?
A car crash is a dramatic example, but the aluminum alloy of our fences has a minimum ultimate strength of 35,000 pounds per square inch (PSI). That’s essentially how much force you would
need to bend or deform the alloy, permanently. So, if anything is going to wreck your aluminum fence, it must be on par with a car crash.
God forbid your front yard becomes the site of a car crash. But it is better to wreck your fence than your home. If that ever happens to you, assess the damage and prioritize your safety first. In this dramatic case, you might have a few crunched and mangled panels. You might even see posts and their anchors ripped out of the ground.
We recommend replacing the damaged panels in case of severe damage. It is possible to repair such damages, but it requires specialized tools and a lot of work! Luckily, our DIY aluminum fences are modular. So, you probably won’t have to replace your entire fence.
Disconnect the damaged panels from the rest of the fence wall. These ruined panels can be recycled at any metal recycling place near you.
