Your home’s yard can be a magical place for your children. Outdoor games, sport and play-time are all a huge part of a child’s upbringing and social life. How many of us remember playing backyard cricket as kids? (more…)
When it comes to your home’s wooden fence, rot is often your worst enemy. It affects the look and aesthetic appeal of your fence, while reducing your fence’s strength and rigidity. And as wooden fences generally stay in contact with ground soil over long stretches of time, rot can seem all but inevitable.
However, there are a number of things you can do to prevent the spread of rot within your home’s fence. For this week’s blog we’re going to take a look at the top five things that you can do, to stop rot today.
The first and most important step in combatting rot, is understanding what type of rot your fence is at risk from.
There are two types of rot; wet rot, and dry rot. Wet rot is the result of moisture regularly coming into contact with wood. Most commonly this takes place at the base of your fence, where the fence posts come into contact with the earth beneath them.
Wet rot is identifiable by various instances of cracking and softening in your timber. There may also be a damp musty smell, or fungal growth accompanying it.
Dry rot on the other-hand is, as its name suggests, caused by the wood being continual exposed to harsh, dry environments. The sun and hot winds literally dry out your fence, removing protective oils that exist on the wood’s exterior.
If your timber is dry and brittle. If it is easily broken. If parts crumble in your hand. It’s probably dry rot. A damp, musty odour may also be smelled; this is produced by the fence’s active decay.
An example of wet rot.
When installing a new fence for your home, consider using hardy or rot-resistant materials. The type of material you choose now, can make a big difference in the future.
Hardy wooden materials include: cedar, juniper, redwood, and cypress. Woods that may not be as well-wearing include: pine, tamarack, and Douglas fir. Purchasing treated wood can also help to protect your fence from rot and termites.
Additionally, it may be worth looking into wood alternatives. For example, both Colorbond® Steel and Smartfence Steel fences are completely rot resistant.
Installing a hardy wooden fence.
Regularly staining your fence can be integral to keeping rot at bay. We recommend staining your wooden fence at least once a year. However you may need to stain your fence more or less frequently based on a number of environmental factors. These environmental factors include: average temperature in your area, amount of rainfall, soil surrounding your fence etc.
A good way to test if your fence needs a new stain is by spraying it with a little water. If the water beads on the wood’s exterior, then your stain is intact. Alternatively, if the water is absorbed into the interior of the wood, then it’s time to give your fence a fresh stain.
For a guide to applying a new stain to your wooden fence, check out our recent blog article: how to stain your wooden fence.
Staining a wooden fence.
Build-ups of moist debris can kick rot off, fast. Damp leaves, grasses, plants and the like can all cause debris to enter your fence through tiny cracks and crevices. And it’s when dirt and soil enters these crevices that rot begins.
Therefore one of the most effectiven ways of preventing rot is by keeping your fence clear of foliage and grime. This can be achieved with a little maintenance and by occasionally cleaning and washing your wooden fence.
Clear foliage from around your wooden fence.
Should rot start to appear in your fence, you can stop its spread by replacing the affected sections. It’s most likely that you will be replacing the fence’s main posts. As your fence posts touch the ground, this is where rot often begins.
You can purchase the materials and equipment for replacing fence posts from your local hardware store. Or you can hire a professional to complete the job for a relatively inexpensive price. However it is important to do this at the first sign of rot, as rot can spread quickly.
For the best protection from rot, when replacing rot-affected sections, give the rest of your fence a good clean and a new coat of stain too!
A rot affected section.
If you’ve enjoyed this blog entry and would like to find others similar to it, you can do so by following the link contained below.
It doesn’t matter where you live in Australia, when you’re in your home, you want to feel safe. And while your community may be mostly crime-free, you never know when you might need a home defence system. (more…)
Australia’s cities, suburbs, and regional centres are growing rapidly. More than ever houses are being made closer to streets, shopping districts and other properties. There’s more people, homes, and businesses. And while this is great for building communities and local industry, this continued growth can make finding a bit of privacy, difficult.
It’s not surprising then that more homeowners are choosing to install fences for seclusion. Because doing so is one of the best ways to enhance a home’s privacy, without compromising its look or feel. For this week’s blog we’re going to take a look at the benefits of a privacy fences and what you should look for when choosing one.
Summer is fast approaching! And with it comes barbecues with friends, games of backyard cricket, as well as quiet relaxation by the pool. So ensure the safety of your family, as well as your privacy and peace-of-mind, with a quality new fence.
1. A Fence Makes Your Home Safer
Summer is the perfect time for you and your family to be outdoors. And you should be able to trust that your loved ones are safe when outdoors. That’s where a good quality fence comes in.
A fence protects you children by keeping them in your yard and away from roads and gullies. It ensures pets stay on your property. And it stops prying eyes from seeing into your yard – this makes fencing especially valuable for sun-bathers!
A secure and fully-functional fence is also essential for those with a backyard swimming pool. If your pool fencing is old or no longer completely secure, then you could risk breaching state regulations, or worse your family’s welfare.
2. A Fence Will Impress the Neighbours
The warmer months are ideal for catching up with your friends, extended family, and neighbours. A new fence can really add to the look of your home, enhancing the ‘feel’ of your yard and barbecue area.
Your guests are sure to be impressed by your stylish new fence, while enjoying the ambience that it brings to your outdoor space. Install a Colorbond® steel fence and choose from a range of vibrant colours sure to compliment any summer day.
3. A Fence Will Help to Secure Your Home
More homeowners take a vacation during the summer holiday season than at any other time of year. While that’s great for you and your family. A trip is the best way to unwind and relax after a long year at work! Unfortunately, theft is a real concern for many residents. And the last thing you want to worrying about while away, is whether your home is secure.
A quality fence provides a barrier between your home and the street. Combined with a comprehensive security system a fence can stop would-be buglers in their tracks. For added protection, talk to your fencing contractor about installing lock-secured gates.
To have your new fence installed for summer, contact the team at Amazing Fencing. Or if you’ve enjoyed this blog article and would like to find others similar to it, you can do so by following the link below.
Read more blog articles from Amazing Fencing.
A household name, Colorbond® steel is chosen by thousands of Australian homeowners every year.
You’ll find it in roofs, sheds, water tanks, walls, gutters, and carports. As well as, of course, in home fencing. Today, its use has never been so versatile or popular.
Most people know Colorbond® for its strength and striking finish, but did you know that its history dates all the way back to England in 1843? (more…)
Each year, around Australia, millions of dollars worth of damage is done to both homes and businesses by termites. Early detection, prevention and effective treatment is key to protecting your property from this often-devastating pest. (more…)
There are many factors that will shorten the life of your fence, including susceptibility to mould, UV rays and termites. Not only does staining your fence give your property a fresh new look, it also protects your wood from these elements, which will in turn extend the life of your fence.
Imagine your ideal backyard. It may feature water elements creating soothing sounds, vegetables flourishing in orderly rows, wildflowers growing along stone pathways or mature trees creating shade over a wooden patio. (more…)
When you think about it, your home’s wooden fence goes through quite a lot.
During the colder months it stands strong against morning frosts, icy winter winds, and sleets of rain and hail. (more…)
