A good fence doesn’t just protect your home, but it is an investment that can even increase its value. It can keep your kids and pets safe in your home and offers some privacy and security, while also enhancing the beauty of your outdoors. However, regardless of what type of fencing you get, your fence is not immune to having some or all these problems eventually. This article aims to inform homeowners in the local Frankston area and prospective clients of ours of what the most common issues are in regard to fencing and some practical ways you can avoid them to protect your investment. Here are some of the most prominent types of fencing problems in the Frankston area:
- Rot and Insect-Damage

If you opt for wooden fencing, you need to be aware that in nature, this material is more susceptible to rot and insects. A rot-damaged fence can happen on nearly every type of wood, but pressure-treated cedar wood is much more resistant. If you regularly maintain your fence with protective agents as well as keep vegetation clear from the area, you will significantly extend the life of your fence.
Unfortunately, once a fence like merbau timber fence has widespread rot or you discover termite infestation, you will have to replace the whole affected area. While you might be able to salvage some of the smaller parts, you can expect to replace big chunks of your fence. To protect your fencing from this fence damage, you should use a wood preservative to seal it, or alternatively install a different material.
- Stained and Mildew Fence
Aesthetics is an important component of a fence because it is on display for the whole neighbourhood to see. Stains and mildew on a fence can significantly detract from the street appeal of your home. Pressure washing your fence and scrubbing it with detergent and water are ways to keep the surface clean and prevent further growth. After cleaning the fence, be sure to apply a protective sealant if required, to prevent moisture from penetrating the material.

Vinyl fences are a popular choice since they avoid common fence problems, as they are easy to maintain, and can last for over 20 years with proper maintenance. However, one big drawback is that the price tag of PVC fences is significantly more than other materials on the market.
- Leaning Posts and Sagging Gates
Leaning fences and sagging gates are often a result of foundation movement and improper installation. A sagging gate can often go unnoticed until the functionality is compromised. It will usually result from the posts shifting as the ground beneath them gives way or even because of erosion or simply soil movement as a result of fluctuations in moisture and temperature. To avoid this problem, the fence posts need to be dug deep enough to account for the soil type at your property. Hiring a local fencing contractor will improve your chances of a better outcome as they will be knowledgeable about the local soil types in the region and what that means for their job.
- Splitting Wood
If you have noticed your timber palings starting to split, this is most likely the result of oil and moisture evaporating from within the wood, leading the timber to dry out and crack. This is why treated timber is the type of timber you want to be building your fence from. Choosing a hardwood like Meabau fencing will naturally have a higher resistance to splitting because of the higher oil content. It is treated to be outdoors and exposed to the elements, designed and capable of keeping the necessary oils and moisture in. One practical way you can prevent splitting beyond using treated timber is to treat your timber with a wood preservative which can be likened to waxing a car. This type of product can be bought from your local Bunnings.
- Rusted Fence

Finally, and this is a disadvantage to do with metal fences or metal posts, a major disadvantage to having a metal fence has to be rust. Metal fences like Colorbond fences or aluminium are hardy in nature, they are durable and touch, designed for the Aussie climate. However, over time, the protective coatings may deteriorate, and if there is a compromise in the integrity of the outer layer, the metal can be prone to rust. Especially in a moist environment, this could easily lead to your fence accumulating a lot of rust quickly. It is advised that if you spot rust or see a crack, scratch, or ding deep enough in the metal that you are concerned about, clean the area, allow it to dry, and apply a rust converter on it just in case.
Conclusion
Fencing requires great care if you do not want it to succumb to the above-mentioned common issues homeowners have with fences. But if you run into these common fence problems, you can always contact our experienced Frankston fencing contractors to fix any issues you might face. Not only do we charge a competitive fee, but we also carefully ensure your fence looks as good as new, whilst respecting your budget and timeframes.