No matter what kind of farm fencing you use, it is going to need maintenance and repairs from time to time. At Edge Wholesale Direct, we understand how important it is for you to be able to keep all of your animals safe. That is why we came up with a few reminders and tips for proper fence maintenance and repairs for farms.
Learn how to maximize the life of your farm fence.
The Importance of Proper Fence Maintenance and Repairs
Farm fencing is a significant investment for farm owners, and can last up to 20 years when properly maintained; however, if you take a lax stance on fence maintenance and repairs, you might end up reducing the lifespan of your fence by about a decade. The key to fence longevity is pasture planning because, something as simple as building fence lines on higher ground, can prevent posts from rotting prematurely due to improper drainage. Weather and wear are the main threats to any fence. Once your fence begins to show about 30 per cent of weathering and wearing, you should consider replacing boards and panels. You should also keep your eyes out for any loose boards, popped nails, and other concerns, and fix these issues as soon as possible.
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General Fence Maintenance and Repair Tips
If you have wood or PVC fencing, you can usually just grab your toolbox and take a slow trip around the pasture in order to examine the entire fence line. Here are some of the things that you should check for:
- Chew marks – if any of your animals have caused considerable damage to your fence, those panels should be replaced.
- Cracks and weak spots – PVC fencing can have damage caused by the sun’s UV rays.
- Stains – you might have to clean your PVC periodically.
- Weather damage – wood fencing can succumb to the weather over time, so you should check for areas that have been weakened.
- Peeling or faded paint – if your fence is painted, you will need to repaint it at some point in order to help protect your fence from weather damage.
- Leaning posts – if any of your posts start to lean, you should remove the fencing from the post, extract the post, repair the hole, and re-set the post or install a brand new post.
Learn some more farm fence maintenance tips.
Electric Fence Maintenance and Repair Tips
If you use an electric fence on your farm, you know that keeping it in working condition is crucial. Here are some of the things that you should keep in mind when examining your electric fence for any needed maintenance and repairs:
- Fence voltage – you should check the voltage of the perimeter of your farm fencing.
- Grounding – ground rods are essential to the overall function of your fence, so if you are not getting a good enough charge then you need to get more of them.
- Shortages – if parts of your fence are shoring out, you should check the fence line for any weeds or plants that are growing too close to the fence.
- Wire tension – check to make sure that your fence wires are tight enough.
If you have any questions about proper fence maintenance and repairs for farms, or if you are interested in one of our products, please contact Edge Wholesale Direct at 604-857-2436.
