Keep Your Aluminum Fence in Good Shape with the Right Landscaping

If your aluminum fence is buckling, you may be experiencing a common problem with aluminum fences. One of the most common causes for this is improper changes in the grade around the home. In this article, we will explain what you can do to fix your buckled aluminum fence and prevent it from happening again.

What causes an Aluminum Fence to buckle?

The most common cause of buckling or sagging a fence is an improper change in grade around the house. When the grade changes on your property, it not only affects how well water runs away from your house, but it can also have an effect on your home's overall appearance. For most people, an aluminum fence is the best way to increase privacy and add value to their property. However, an improperly graded yard can cause a major setback for your home's general appearance and curb appeal. If you need help with the same, you can rely on des moines fence company and get the best help. 

When you have an irregular grade, concrete or asphalt driveways can become distorted and even collapse, which can compromise water drainage or cause erosion around your house during storms. If the grade changes significantly during construction or renovation, it may also affect the foundations of your home. For more, get in touch with the best fence company in Bellevue WA and get the best help. 

Though these problems are not directly caused by your aluminum fence, they're certainly avoidable if you take the proper measures on how to handle and maintain your yard. 

What can I do to keep my Aluminum Fence in Good Shape?

If you're on a tight budget and not looking to invest much into your home, you may have no choice but to put up an aluminum fence. However, if you are already spending a lot of money on upkeep for your home, it's important to make sure that you can properly maintain your fence. Keep in mind that the repair costs for an aluminum fence tend to be higher than a wooden or vinyl one. Though there are options available if you want full coverage and privacy from an aluminum fence, it's beneficial to know that there are ways to help prevent those problems from ever happening in the first place.

1. Level the Grade

You may be tempted to put up your fence without considering whether or not the grade around your house is leveled properly. However, it's important to take this into account when you're fixing your backyard. Even if you're using a wooden fence or vinyl, grading affects the shape and size of fences and other structures. One of the most common mistakes homeowners make when it comes to grading is changing it only on one side of the house. This can cause shifting in the ground around your yard, so make sure you have proper drainage and elevation on both sides of your home.

2. Secure the Fence

Once you have a properly-graded yard, it's important to take some preventative measures on how to secure your aluminum fence. The adjustment in grade can cause your fence to tilt and buckle, especially if you're using an aluminum fence that doesn't have posts buried underground. We recommend putting in extra posts or anchors to help keep your fence supported and prevent uneven pressure on one side. If you're using a wooden or vinyl fence, the problem is likely going to be a bit different, but it's still possible for these types of fences to sink into the ground and cause buckling issues as well. 

3. Use Quality Fence Posts & Anchors

If you're using aluminum fencing, it's very important to make sure that you are using quality fence posts and anchors. Aluminum is a very strong material, but it can buckle and warp if it isn't well insulated from the ground. For this reason, we recommend installing a concrete footing before you install your aluminum fence and then adding the posts directly on top of that. We typically recommend at least 8 inches of concrete or stamped concrete before you install your aluminum fence in your yard or driveway. Once that is finished, we then add the anchors to secure the posts in place to prevent them from shifting back and forth during heavy winds or with seasonal changes in temperature. 

4. Upgrade to a Higher Quality Aluminum Fence

If you're building a new house, there are plenty of choices in aluminum fences that are more resistant to buckling, sagging, and warping over time. When you're making the decision on your fence type, we recommend choosing one that is made with the highest quality material available. Since the most common causes for buckling are improper grading and not securing the posts properly in place, it's important to make sure your fence is made from a higher-quality aluminum that can withstand these conditions for long periods of time. There are also many options available if you would like your fence to provide full coverage and privacy from the outside world. For help with this, get in touch with the Island fence company and get the best help. 

5. Use a Quality Foundation

Another important factor in preventing your fence from buckling on its own is to use a high-quality foundation. Many times, homeowners will try to fix the problem by adding more posts or nails to secure the fence in place, but this won't work if you don't have a solid foundation in place, to begin with. If you're using a wooden fence or vinyl fencing, we recommend installing the posts directly onto your home's foundation wall. This is an excellent way to secure your fence so that it doesn't shift or buckle on its own. If you need expert help with the same, then consider getting in touch with an aluminum fence company in Puget and get the best help. 

6. Consider Other Landscaping Options

Though it's not necessary to use a high-quality yard grading contractor to maintain your aluminum fencing, we do recommend adding other landscaping features that can help prevent your fence from buckling and shifting in the future. If you have an uneven grade around your house, you may be tempted to use stepping stones or wall brackets around the yard. These steps will help create even elevation for your yard, which reduces the risk of shifting during heavy winds or storms.

These steps can also be used strategically in certain areas of your yard where there are changes in elevation. We recommend adding them under overhangs and porches, especially those that create multiple levels or steps on the property. These fixtures will allow for more stability in your fence and provide a more attractive look to your yard. If you don't want to use concrete, we also recommend adding rock or wood that has an irregular shape. This can help prevent the fence from shifting in the future and can keep it at an even height instead of having one side a few inches lower than the other.

Keeping your aluminum fence well-maintained and properly secured will help keep it usable for years to come. Before fixing any issues or replacing your aluminum fencing, make sure you're fully prepared with a detailed plan in place on how to prevent these common problems from ever happening again. For more, you can get in touch with Bellevue Fencing and get the best help. To get help from the best you can call us at 425-620-3484 and get best help.