Storm-proof your fence before the next one
Most fences that blow down fail in the same few ways. Here’s what to look for, and what to change, from a family fencing company that’s been fixing them since 1945.
Why fences come down
When a fence blows over, the panels usually aren’t the problem. It’s nearly always the posts: rotten at ground level, set too shallow, or snapped at the base. A solid fence also acts like a sail, so in a strong gust all of that force goes straight into the posts.
Start with the posts
Posts need to be set deep, in concrete, and made to survive in the ground. Concrete posts don’t rot at all. If you want timber, use posts treated for ground contact. Ours are kiln dried, incised and treated to highway spec. If a post is already rotten or moving, replace it before the next storm. That’s one of the most common repairs we do.
Let some wind through
On an exposed boundary, a fence with small gaps takes less of a battering than a solid one. Hit & miss, slatted and Venetian panels, or a trellis top, let some of the wind through. See our fence panels.
Keep timber off the ground
Gravel boards along the bottom keep panels and boards out of the wet soil, so they don’t rot from the bottom up. If one gets damaged, it’s a cheap fix compared with a whole panel.
Closeboard is stronger
Closeboard fencing is built in place, with rails fixed into the posts and boards nailed along them, so it’s a lot stronger than panels slotted between posts. For long or exposed runs it’s usually the better choice. Closeboard vs panels, compared.
Quick checks after a storm
- Sections that have started to lean.
- Posts that move when you push them.
- Panels that have slipped out of their slots, or loose boards.
- Cracked concrete posts or spurs.
Don’t lean on a damaged fence or try to push it back up. Prop it, or lift the panel out, and get it looked at.