Having a home with a fenced yard can help with security and privacy concerns and increase your home’s value. That’s why it’s essential to keep up with fence maintenance.
Proper fence maintenance
Whether it’s a vinyl, wood, or metal, if not properly maintained, a fence can deteriorate, making it more prone to damage. While wear and tear to your fence from lack of maintenance won’t be covered by your homeowners policy, there are things you can do to properly maintain it.
Inspect fence regularly
Check your fence often for damage like rot, loose boards, cracks, or rust.
Clean fence
A fence should regularly be cleaned with a hose or power washer to remove dirt, grime, and mold. If it’s metal and showing signs of rust, use sandpaper or rust remover.
Repair damage
After you have inspected and cleaned your fence, look for any spots that need to be repaired. Broken, warped, or rotted boards should be replaced, and any loose screws or nails should be tightened. For metal or vinyl fences, cracks or dents should be repaired as they may indicate deterioration or instability.
Apply protective coating
To protect your fence from water damage, rot, UV rays, and insects, apply a sealant, paint, or wood stain to touch up minor chips and cracks.
Maintain vegetation
Trees surrounding your fence should be trimmed to prevent limbs from falling on top. Plants, vines, flowers, and weeds should also be cut and maintained to decrease the chance of overgrowth, which can damage your fence.
Keep sprinklers pointed away
Because water can damage wood and rust metal, sprinklers should be pointed away from your fence to maintain longevity.
Homeowners insurance and fence damage
A standard homeowner’s policy with MAPFRE Insurance will usually cover losses should certain events like a major fire, windstorm, or heavy snow damage your home’s interior or exterior. The Other Structures portion of your policy may pay for damage to structures on your property that aren’t attached to your house, like a fence. Some examples of damage may include:
- Fire or lightning
- Vandalism
- Snow or ice damage
- Damage caused by a vehicle
The type of fence damage your policy would not cover would be general wear and tear, damage from a lack of maintenance, or damage from an earthquake or flood.
If your fence was damaged by a neighbor’s tree, you might be covered, but it could depend on the property line. In some cases, both you and the neighbor could be equally responsible for the fence’s replacement or repair.
Keeping your fence in good condition not only enhances the appearance and value of your property—it also helps protect it. By taking time to perform regular inspections and simple maintenance tasks, you can extend the life of your fence and reduce the risk of costly repairs. Remember, while homeowners insurance may cover sudden and accidental damage caused by certain events, it won’t cover neglect or lack of upkeep.
If you’re unsure whether your current policy offers the right protection for your fence or other structures on your property, reach out to us. We can help you understand what’s covered, what isn’t, and whether additional coverage might be right for you. A little maintenance now, paired with the right insurance coverage, can save you time, money, and stress down the road.
Source: www.mapfreinsurance.com/blog/proper-fence-maintenance/
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