Natural Causes for Fence Leaning

The term “fence leaning” may sound harmless, but it can lead to more significant problems if left unaddressed.

Your fence is more than just visual indication of some municipally-derived boundary—it’s a statement! …If you so choose it to be! -A message that can confidently signal both your personal aesthetic style and your home’s security. Alas, no matter how boldly stated, all fences potentially stand to face a common issue: leaning.

The term “fence leaning” may sound harmless, but it can lead to more significant problems if left unaddressed—and costly ones to boot. Understanding what causes fence leaning and how to tackle it from the get-go will help maintain the integrity of both your fence and your bank account.

With that in mind, read along below.

The Whispering Winds

Nature’s forces can play a significant role in fence leaning. A strong wind, especially when focused on a specific section of the fence, can exert immense pressure on the posts. This force concentrates on the posts, potentially causing them to break, bend, or topple over. Choosing stronger materials and installing longer or more secure posts can mitigate this issue. Materials like chain link or iron bars, which allow wind to pass through, can also be more resistant to wind-related leaning.

Roots Unleashed

Trees, often our beloved backyard companions, can be silent culprits in causing fence leaning. The expansive root systems of large trees can exert pressure on fence posts over time, gradually shifting them out of alignment. This slow, stealthy process can lead to noticeable sagging and tilting of the fence. To address this, you need to carefully dig up the earth around the affected posts, locate the intrusive roots, and trim them back. This not only stabilizes the fence but also ensures the tree’s health.

Water Woes

Excessive rain or flooding can soften the ground, causing it to lose its stability and making a fence more susceptible to leaning. That soggy soil just can’t provide the necessary anchorage to keep the fence posts upright. Solutions to combat this include the preventive (e.g., digging deeper holes during installation) and the proactive (e.g., securing longer posts as needed with concrete or composite reinforcement).

Animal Instincts

Furry or feathered neighbors can also tend to contribute their fair share to fence leaning. Larger animals leaning against the fence  in tandem with “relatively” little critters burrowing in/compromising the soil around your posts can gradually lead to dread tilting. Choosing materials that can withstand any animal contact—or otherwise taking measures to ward the creatures off on way or another—can certainly help prevent this problem.

Tree Trouble

They look so peaceful in their verdancy,  and all the while acting sneakily as culprits in that lawnscaping crime known as leaning.

Over time, branches or even entire trees may grow into a fence’s space, exerting harmful pressure that can cause structural issues for your entire fence. Be diligent about perimeter checks and strategic trimming to stop these slow-motion fence hazards in their tracks.

Installation Errors

Sometimes, the problem stems from the very beginning. Poorly-executed fence installations can introduce taxing, irregular tension into the structure as if it were a desired feature; as you can imagine, such fences are quite prone to leaning. Even the slightest miscalculation during post-hole digging can compromise the fence’s stability… before it’s even been placed!

-And of course, inexperienced installers are more likely to inadvertently create such issues. Relying on tried-and-true fencing professionals to assess and rectify any snags will guarantee that your fence can stand and deliver your personal statement to the neighborhood for years on end.

Let Hercules Fence Help Set Up The Perfect Fence For You

Hercules Fence takes pride in being experts in residential, commercial, and high-security fencing. We have been serving our clients since 1955, with only the most knowledgeable of staff. Our staff is ready to serve you from Maryland and the Washington Metropolitan area. Our branch offices are in Manassas, Richmond, Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia, and Maryland. Visit our website to see how we can be of service to you. Also, follow us on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Linkedin to stay up to date with our latest news.

The post Natural Causes for Fence Leaning appeared first on Hercules Fence.

Today, we’ll go over different fences you can install that have resistance against rusting.

Fences are valuable parts of our properties, as they not only improve the aesthetic of your landscape, but they also provide extra security by keeping intruders away. Depending on the type of fence you have, though, there could be a problem that pops up, and that problem is rusting. Rust can eat away at different kinds of fencing material, so it’s important to select a fence that doesn’t have this issue. Today, we’ll go over different fences you can install that have resistance against rusting.

Stainless Steel

Many varieties of stainless steel fencing are made with chromium, which helps to give your fence a protective layer that resists corrosion, all while keeping oxygen from getting to the steel at the core of your fence. Some fences also have other elements, like nickel, that provide extra rust resistance.

Aluminum Metal

Aluminum is a popular fencing material because of how lightweight it is. Another perk is that it’s a rust-resistant fencing option because it has practically no iron. Without iron, metal isn’t able to rust, and it will simply oxidize. If an aluminum fence gets wet, an aluminum oxide film will develop onto the surface of your fence, protecting your fence from any more corrosion. It also keeps the metal components of your fence safer.

Galvanized Steel

This type of steel can last quite a long time before it starts to rust. That’s because of a small coat of zinc that’s applied to these fences. Zinc serves as a protective barrier to a galvanized steel fence because it prevents water and oxygen from getting to the actual steel components of your fence. Even when this zinc coating gets scratched away, it can offer protection to surrounding areas of the steel because of a process known as cathodic conservation.

Let Hercules Fence Help Set Up The Perfect Fence For You

Hercules Fence takes pride in being experts in residential, commercial, and high-security fencing. We have been serving our clients since 1955, with only the most knowledgeable of staff. Our staff is ready to serve you from Maryland and the Washington Metropolitan area. Our branch offices are in Manassas, Richmond, Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia, and Maryland.

Visit our website to see how we can be of service to you. Also, follow us on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Linkedin to stay up to date with our latest news.

The post Types of Fences That are Resistant to Rusting appeared first on Hercules Fence.

Keep reading to find out which fence material you should use for warmer temperatures.

As summer continues, you may be wanting to get some outdoor projects done before the weather gets colder, and it’s less comfortable being outside. One project you may be trying to complete is a fence installation. Fences are great for providing extra security and privacy to your home, but before you build a new fence, you have to decide on the fence material you want. For summer, certain fence materials are better than others for combatting the heat. Keep reading to find out which fence material you should use for warmer temperatures.

Consider Fence Warping

Heat can cause some fences to warp, and this can also be a problem with extreme cold as well. You don’t want your fence to warp because it not only looks less appealing, but it also impacts your fence’s durability. One fence material that resists warping is vinyl. If you get a vinyl fence, it won’t warp when exposed to high heat or cold. As a bonus, you don’t have to worry about the color fading from your fence due to intense sunlight.

Which Fence Material Can Stand Up to the Hottest Temperatures?

There are many fences you can build, but you need to keep in mind how fences can be damaged. Some fences will crack from intense heat, while others will experience color fading or dry rotting. You want a fence that doesn’t experience these issues. If you’re looking for a heat-resistant fencing option, you could go with a vinyl fence or an aluminum fence. Either of these will be great for warm and sunny environments. You will need to perform a little maintenance on these fences to keep them in good shape, but the maintenance is minimal in both cases. This means you can get the most enjoyment from your fence with the least amount of work.

Let Hercules Fence Help Set Up The Perfect Fence For You

Hercules Fence takes pride in being experts in residential, commercial, and high-security fencing. We have been serving our clients since 1955, with only the most knowledgeable of staff. Our staff is ready to serve you from Maryland and the Washington Metropolitan area. Our branch offices are in Manassas, Richmond, Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia, and Maryland.

Visit our website to see how we can be of service to you. Also, follow us on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Linkedin to stay up to date with our latest news.

The post What Fence Material Is Best for Warmer Temperatures? appeared first on Hercules Fence.

Today, we’ll be showing you how to tell that your wood fencing has been damaged by the weather.

If you have a fence, you know that it has to take whatever the weather has to throw at it every day. Different fences have different tolerance levels for the weather outside, but for today, we’ll be looking at wood fencing. Wood fences look great in people’s yards most of the time, but eventually, they’ll start to show signs of wear. Today, we’ll be showing you how to tell that your wood fencing has been damaged by the weather.

Your Fence is Rotting

Rain is a common weather condition for fences to experience. This can be an issue for wood fencing because heavy amounts of rain will cause the air around your fence to become humid, which makes your fence susceptible to rotting.

Rot happens whenever fungi grow inside of wood. The fungal spores will penetrate the surface of your fence and cause white nodes to appear. These nodes will feel spongy if you touch them. This process accelerates whenever the weather is warm and humid.

Your Fence is Discolored

One of the more noticeable signs of weather damage is when your wood fencing has become discolored in some way. This usually happens because of extended exposure to sunlight. Therefore, if you live in a location that gets plenty of sunlight, you’ll have to watch out for sun spots on your fence. You also want to be wary of dry rot. Dry rot has a dark color to it, and it will warp affected parts of your fence until those parts become brittle and easy to snap off.

Your Wood Fencing Has Broken Planks

After a serious storm, your wood fencing could have some of its planks damaged. Sometimes, planks will be completely missing from your fence. That’s why, after any major storm, you should inspect your fence to determine how much damage it has sustained. The sooner you identify problems with your wood fencing, the sooner you can address those issues.

Let Hercules Fence Help Set Up The Perfect Fence For You

Hercules Fence takes pride in being experts in residential, commercial, and high-security fencing. We have been serving our clients since 1955, with only the most knowledgeable of staff. Our staff is ready to serve you from Maryland and the Washington Metropolitan area. Our branch offices are in Manassas, Richmond, Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia, and Maryland.

Visit our website to see how we can be of service to you. Also, follow us on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Linkedin to stay up to date with our latest news.

The post How to Know Your Wood Fencing Has Sustained Weather Damage appeared first on Hercules Fence.

When you have pool fencing, there are certain things you’ll want to do, and other things you’ll want to avoid.

If you have a swimming pool at home, it can be the perfect place to enjoy outdoor summer hangouts with friends and family. To maintain safety around your swimming pool, you’ll want to have pool fencing installed. A fence can keep young kids from wandering into your pool by mistake and drowning, making a pool fence a highly valuable asset to your house. When you have pool fencing, there are certain things you’ll want to do, and other things you’ll want to avoid.

Make Sure Your Fence Abides by Applicable Codes and Standards

There are rules regarding what types of fences you can install around your house, and the rules you have to follow will depend on where you live. A professional fencing company should be able to give you the information you need regarding what kinds of fences you’re allowed to install. Failure to abide by these fencing rules leaves you to deal with hefty fines, so it’s best to get your fence installed by a professional who will make sure to avoid violating any fencing restrictions in your area.

Perform Fence Maintenance When Needed

All fences need maintenance, and pool fencing is no exception. That’s why you should check on your fence every now and then to make sure it hasn’t sustained damage. If you notice that your fencing is damaged in any way, you’ll want to get that damage repaired as quickly as possible. This will get your fence back to maximum efficiency so that it can satisfy the roles it needs to serve for your swimming pool.

Keep Other Objects Away From Your Pool Fencing

Your pool fencing should be free of obstructions. This is mainly because kids can use nearby objects as stepping stools to get over your fence. As mentioned earlier, you don’t want kids to fall into your pool by accident, especially if they can’t swim. By keeping climbable objects away from your pool fencing, you won’t have to worry about small kids putting themselves at risk around your swimming pool.

Let Hercules Fence Help Set Up The Perfect Fence For You

Hercules Fence takes pride in being experts in residential, commercial, and high-security fencing. We have been serving our clients since 1955, with only the most knowledgeable of staff. Our staff is ready to serve you from Maryland and the Washington Metropolitan area. Our branch offices are in Manassas, Richmond, Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia, and Maryland.

Visit our website to see how we can be of service to you. Also, follow us on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Linkedin to stay up to date with our latest news.

The post What to Do (and not do) With Pool Fencing appeared first on Hercules Fence.

Keep reading to find out what qualities your fence installation company should have.

Are you preparing to build a fence for your home? If you are, it can be a smart move to hire a fence installation company for the task. Fencing experts will come with all of the materials and expertise that are necessary to ensure a successful fence installation. Now, there is an abundance of fencing companies from which to choose, but not all of them will give you the quality job you deserve. So, how can you tell which companies are worth your trust? Keep reading to find out what qualities your fence installation company should have.

Years of Experience

Your fence installation company should be backed up by years of experience in the fence building industry. When a fencing company can stay in business for many years, it means that they’ve been able to keep customers happy for a long time. This makes it more likely that you’ll become the next of many satisfied customers who work with their staff.

They Have Responsive Staff

You’ll want staff who respond to your needs and concerns, so the fencing company you hire should always have responsive staff who will respect the needs and concerns you have. Their staff members should be friendly and highly approachable, and they should always be prepared to answer whatever questions you may need to have addressed.

Look for a Company With Credentials

When you’re selecting a fence installation company, you should always go with a company that has plenty of credentials. When you see companies with certifications and licenses, it tells you that they have proven to be true fencing experts who can properly complete your fencing project. It’s even better if you can find a fence installation company that offers warranties for their work because that means you’re protected in the event that a mistake happens during your installation.

Let Hercules Fence Help Set Up The Perfect Fence For You

Hercules Fence takes pride in being experts in residential, commercial, and high-security fencing. We have been serving our clients since 1955, with only the most knowledgeable of staff. Our staff is ready to serve you from Maryland and the Washington Metropolitan area. Our branch offices are in Manassas, Richmond, Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia, and Maryland.

Visit our website to see how we can be of service to you. Also, follow us on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Linkedin to stay up to date with our latest news.

The post Traits a Fence Installation Company Should Have appeared first on Hercules Fence.

Let’s go over ways you can prevent fence damage this summer.

The weather is once again heating up, and that means summer is on the horizon. With the start of a new summer season, people are able to enjoy their backyards more than ever before. With summer, though, you also have to deal with certain insects that could cause problems. For fence owners, insects can cause serious damage to your fencing, and it’s important to take precautions to make sure your fence is protected for the duration of summer. Fortunately, there are steps you can take that will give your fencing the protection it needs. Let’s go over ways you can prevent fence damage this summer.

Remove Standing Water

Standing water is known for its fence-rotting abilities, but it can also bring about insect-related fence damage. There are certain insects, such as mosquitoes, that love to hang out near any standing water nearby your fencing. By removing the standing water around your fence, you discourage insects from sticking around.

Stay on Top of Lawn Cutting

When grass is tall and wild, insects can take refuge within it. Therefore, if you don’t cut your grass, an infestation of insects could be coming your fence’s way. That’s why you should get into the habit of mowing your lawn once per week. When cutting, be sure you don’t cut beyond one third of your grass blade. When your grass is strong and cut, it will be able to resist insects more easily.

Keep Your Fence Slightly Below Ground

Some insects can burrow their way underneath your fencing, and the best way to prevent this from happening is to install your fence in such a way that it’s slightly below ground level. Burying your fence at least one foot into the ground is recommended so that insects can’t burrow into your fence like they otherwise would be able to do.

Let Hercules Fence Help Set Up The Perfect Fence For You

Hercules Fence takes pride in being experts in residential, commercial, and high-security fencing. We have been serving our clients since 1955, with only the most knowledgeable of staff. Our staff is ready to serve you from Maryland and the Washington Metropolitan area. Our branch offices are in Manassas, Richmond, Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia, and Maryland.

Visit our website to see how we can be of service to you. Also, follow us on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Linkedin to stay up to date with our latest news.

The post How to Prevent Fence Damage Caused by Insects appeared first on Hercules Fence.

Keep reading to learn how your wrought iron fence might get damaged.

Of all of the fences you could install, a wrought iron fence has to be among the most durable. Even so, these fences are still susceptible to different types of damage, and we want to cover these damage sources with you today. Keep reading to learn how your wrought iron fence might get damaged.

Damage From Weather

Pretty much all fences will be vulnerable to the weather in one way or another, and the same goes for any wrought iron fence you install. If you experience enough rain or snow, it will accelerate the rate at which your fence corrodes. With strong enough winds, parts of your fence could start to weaken or come loose as well.

This is why it’s important to stay on top of fence maintenance when you have wrought iron fencing. By keeping up with maintenance, you can identify weak points in your fence before they get any worse.

Heavy Objects

Maybe you want to embellish your fence with a few decorations, however, you must choose your decorations carefully because wrought iron fencing can only handle a certain amount of weight on it at one time. Wrought iron fences aren’t built to hold heavy objects, especially if your fence is made from thinner posts. As soon as your posts are bent, the strength of your fence will be impacted.

Collisions from Vehicles

While vehicle collisions aren’t at the forefront of our minds when we think of how fences can get damaged, they are still a possibility.  This is especially true at night because your iron fence won’t be as visible under the night sky. That’s why you should take some time to increase the visibility of your fencing. By doing this, drivers on the road will be more likely to notice your fence, and less likely to accidentally collide into it.

Let Hercules Fence Help Set Up The Perfect Fence For You

Hercules Fence takes pride in being experts in residential, commercial, and high-security fencing. We have been serving our clients since 1955, with only the most knowledgeable of staff. Our staff is ready to serve you from Maryland and the Washington Metropolitan area. Our branch offices are in Manassas, Richmond, Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia, and Maryland.

Visit our website to see how we can be of service to you. Also, follow us on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Linkedin to stay up to date with our latest news.

The post Ways That a Wrought Iron Fence Can Be Damaged appeared first on Hercules Fence.

While you may be focused on the material of your new fence, the height should also play an important part of your decision-making process. Three key things to consider regarding fence height: what type of material you are choosing, why you are installing a new fence and the regulations in your town or city or […]

The post How to Select a Fence Height appeared first on Fence Masters.

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Find out how your vinyl fencing can become damaged so that you know how to protect it.

For anyone with vinyl fencing in their yard, you want to be aware of all of the ways it can be damaged. This way, you can be proactive and take precautions so that you can avoid these situations entirely. Find out how your vinyl fencing can become damaged so that you know how to protect it.

Cracks and Holes

Have you noticed holes or cracks in your vinyl fencing? There are a few ways this could happen. Sometimes, it’s due to excess sun exposure. Other times, the damage is weather-related. It’s also possible that your fence has just gotten old. These causes are unavoidable, and you can only prolong your fence’s life with proper maintenance.

However, there is one cause of fence cracks and holes that can be prevented: blunt force from objects. Therefore, to prevent cracks and holes in your vinyl fence, make sure you’re careful if you ever use tools around your fence. If you have children who use toys near your fence, be sure they don’t intentionally use too much force against your fence while they’re playing.

Broken Rails, Pickets, and Posts

Fence railing, pickets, and posts all tend to be pretty hollow. While this is great for cutting down material costs, it makes them more susceptible to damage. Among the possible ways that posts, pickets, and railing can be damaged, there are the following:

• Excess weight (such as from snow that piles up)
• Freezing and thawing cycles
• Falling debris (such as tree branches that land on your fencing)

To keep damage to a minimum, keep large hazards away from your fence to the best of your abilities. It also helps to keep nearby trees trimmed so that you make it less likely for branches to fall onto your fence later.

Damaged Panels

Fence panels are great for providing an effective barrier between yours and your neighbors’ properties. Unfortunately, with enough strength from a storm, or a sufficient amount of snowfall, these panels are prone to failing.

Proper maintenance of these panels is vital because it lets you detect signs of damage early on. This way, you can address problems before they get the opportunity to escalate. In some situations, with severe enough damage, panels might need to be replaced.

Let Hercules Fence Help Set Up The Perfect Fence For You

Hercules Fence takes pride in being experts in residential, commercial, and high-security fencing. We have been serving our clients since 1955, with only the most knowledgeable of staff. Our staff is ready to serve you from Maryland and the Washington Metropolitan area. Our branch offices are in Manassas, Richmond, Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia, and Maryland.

Visit our website to see how we can be of service to you. Also, follow us on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Linkedin to stay up to date with our latest news.

The post How Vinyl Fencing Becomes Damaged appeared first on Hercules Fence.