Storm damage can make a big mess of your property, but with the right preparations, your aluminum fencing can come out the other side none the worse for wear.
Depending on where in the country you live, you may find storms such as hurricanes, tornados, or just highly inclement weather can be a relatively regular fixture. The severity of the storm in question can cause huge amounts of damage to your property, though usually the damage is nothing an afternoon’s DIY can’t fix, especially if you’ve taken the correct preventative measures.
To help ensure you’re able to keep your property in the best shape possible, in this article we’ll be exploring some of the steps you can take to prevent your aluminum fence from storm damage.
Aluminum’s Inherent Strengths
Aluminum is an inherently durable and long-lasting fencing option. It is able to survive the worst that each season can throw at it, and usually will emerge unscathed. Aluminum is inherently rust and corrosion resistant, meaning high levels of rainwater shouldn’t be an issue. It is also a relatively strong metal, though lightweight, and can remain unmoved in high winds.
Even if the worst should happen, and an extreme storm makes your fencing no longer fit for use, aluminum can be easily recycled, and can even be sold for scrap, giving you a boost in funds towards replacement fencing.
Prepare to Protect
Listed below are the steps you can take in preparation for stormy weather to ensure your fence stays standing and remains undamaged.
#1 Inspection – As a good home owner, you should inspect your fence for damage every few months. This helps ensure your property is safe and protected. If you know that stormy weather is coming, give your fencing a check over. This will allow you to shore up any weak spots.
While aluminum inherently won’t rust, in severe conditions or with poor maintenance, small amounts of corrosion may appear. Check the joints of your fencing, as well as the portions lower to the ground (that are therefore more exposed to moisture) for any signs of corrosion (often speckles of green or white), and deal with them accordingly.
#2 Postholes – When it comes to high winds, the weak point of your fencing is the post holes. The posts of your fencing should be secured in the ground with cement, which will weigh down and secure the fencing in the ground. However, if the concrete has deteriorated or cracked, or the ground around it has pulled away, your fencing will be able to move, and that movement combined high winds could topple the fence over entirely or result in a panel being entirely ripped away.
#3 Tidy your Yard – This may seem obvious, but tidy your yard prior to bad weather. If you have lawn ornaments such as small statuary, remove or secure them. The same goes for barbecues and patio furniture. Removing these items to somewhere safe will not only ensure your garden accessories aren’t lost, but will also prevent them from becoming weapons to your fencing. Large furniture and objects can be thrown at fencing in high winds, warping and damaging it beyond repair.
#4 Trim Trees – If your property has a lot of trees surrounding it, then it is wise not only for protecting your fence, but also you and your home, to trim down overgrown or oversized branches and clear any deadwood you find. Check the stability of the trees on your property and take the necessary steps if you deem them to be at risk of falling. A falling branch, tree limb, or entire tree can completely destroy entire panels of your fencing, not to mention cause untold damage to your home.
#5 Remove Accessories – If your fence has additional accessories such as finials that can be removed, and you suspect a particularly nasty storm is incoming, then it may be wise to remove them. Of course, a flying fence panel propelled by storm winds is dangerous in itself, but sharper spikes or finials can make your fencing an extra threat if it comes loose. Therefore, where possible it is best to err on the safe side.
#6 Keep Yourself Safe! – Most importantly though, keep yourself safe. Only take preventive or protective measures if it is safe to do so. Your home should only be your concern after that of you and your loved ones. After all, a fence is replaceable, you are not!
Upgrade to Aluminum
If your fencing is old, has been poorly maintained, or is made of inferior materials such as wood, then the best preventative measure against storm damage that you can take is to upgrade to aluminum fencing.
Compared to wooden fencing, aluminum fencing is superior in every way. Strong, durable, and without the risks of rotting or rust, aluminum fencing is made to last a lifetime, not simply a year or two. It is easy to install, can be recycled indefinitely, and compared to other metal fencing is highly affordable.