Water is one of the most damaging elements any fence will face, particularly wooden fences. While a sprinkler system won’t affect other fencing materials as radically, water will still result in damage that requires repairs and extra maintenance.

It’s just one of the reasons that irrigation systems should always be installed by a professional and never near fencing. They have the knowledge needed to adjust irrigation heads so water isn’t deposited on fences and other undesirable areas. Even if the heads in your irrigation are adjusted correctly, you may not be as fortunate if the system is your neighbor’s.

Rotting

Wood is a porous material that allows water to penetrate the surface. Even with stain, paint ot wood protectants, any tiny untreated spot will allow moisture to enter. That moisture will cause the wood to rot – at an accelerated rate than normal. It shortens the lifespan of the fence and disrupts its functionality.

Shifting

The amount of water applied through sprinkles doesn’t seem like much, but over time it can cause shifting of fence poles and the surrounding soil. This is especially true if it rains soon after the lawn has been watered.

Discoloration

Even fencing constructed from the most modern materials can experience discoloration from sprinklers. Minerals in water supplies, such as iron or calcium, can build up with repeated drenching from sprinklers.

Biologics

Algae, mold and mildew are all biological agents that can affect a fence. They flourish in South Florida’s subtropical environment. Watering a fence simply adds additional moisture that biologics need to grow and multiply.

Maintenance and Money

The rotting, shifting, discoloration, and growth of biologics all combine, resulting in additional time and money in maintenance costs for property owners. It’s a situation that also disrupts the overall form, functionality and appearance of the fencing. It’s not just the fence that will require extra maintenance. Nearby flower beds can sustain damage from water runoff of the fence.

Home owners often don’t understand the extent of the coverage their home insurance policies provide. The good news is that homeowner’s insurance will cover damage to a fence – provided the damage was due to a covered cause. Depending on the policy, a covered cause may include damage due to a fire, storm, wind or vandalism.

Trees and Storms

If a neighbor’s tree or limb falls on a fence, a homeowner’s policy will typically pay to repair the damage. The same is usually true if a neighbor is cutting branches on their own tree and it damages the policy holder’s fence. Home owners should know that even if the insurance company covers the damage, they may seek to recover the money they paid out on the claim from the neighbor.

The situation can be different and no coverage provided if the insurance company decides the damage could have been prevented or avoided through regular upkeep and maintenance, or if the damage was due to the policy holder’s negligence. In hurricane prone South Florida, an insurance company may exclude damage caused by flooding and winds from the average homeowner’s policy.

Car Crash

While it’s not a regular occurrence, there are instances in which a vehicle leaves the road and crashes into a fence. A homeowner’s policy should pay for the damages. Typically, the driver of the offending vehicle is liable for the damage and their auto policy is responsible for paying for the damage. The home owner’s insurance company may fix the fence, while seeking restitution from the offending driver.

Not Covered

Damage occurring from normal wear, tear and aging of a fence isn’t covered under a homeowner’s policy. Insurance companies won’t pay for damage due to mold, fungus, termites and other detrimental insect pests. Dings and dents from lawnmowers aren’t covered. If damage to a fence was due to vandalism or a vehicle crashed into it, filing a police report is essential and may even be required by the insurance company.

Fences can beautify properties from the outside, but you may also want something to dress up and decorate your fence from the inside. There are dozens of creative ways to spruce up a fence that are equally applicable for solid or chain link fences. They can be utilized on the interior to brighten your view or used on the exterior to bring joy to those passing by.

Unique Planters

Planters are one of the most obvious. Additional interest comes from the creativeness of the planters themselves. Consider sections of old rain gutters, “pocket planters” for herbs made of burlap, or old tires. Canning jars and fancy bottles, old boots, wooden pallets, and even PVC pipe can be recycled and fashioned into cost-effective fence planters.

Add Lights

Battery and solar powered lights are an elegant and economical solution that doesn’t require any wiring. Individual lights are an excellent way to create ambiance or a fairy-like appearance while adding an extra level of safety within the environment. If light strings are used, they can be arranged in patterns, to spell out words, or artfully draped to beautify the fence landscape.

Artistic Design

If you have artistic skills – or know someone who does – you can paint or stencil a larger than life flower garden on your fence, a full-fledged mural to please the kids, or anything else you want. One of the most appealing aspects is that a desired design can be created in full color, a single hue, or with glow-in-the-dark paint for a one-of-a-kind look.

Colorful Cups

Specifically designed for chain link fences, the colorful plastic pieces are called “put-in-cups” and insert easily into the fence spaces. They can be utilized to create designs, spell out messages for schools, churches, birthdays, or anything else the imagination can devise.