Part of our Fence Repair & Installation in Colorado Springs guide.
Sooner or later every fence in Colorado Springs takes a hit. A wind storm pushes over a section, heavy snow cracks a post, or years of sun and dry air leave boards split and gray. The question is always the same: is this a repair, or is it time for a new fence? Here is how to decide.
Check the Posts First
Posts carry the whole fence. Boards and panels are easy to replace; posts are not. Walk the fence line and push gently on each post.
- Solid posts, damaged boards or panels: this is a repair. Replacing boards, a panel, or a few pickets is quick and affordable.
- One or two loose or broken posts: still usually a repair. A post can be reset or replaced, and the fence brought back into line.
- Many posts leaning or soft at the ground line: rot or failed footings are spreading along the run. Patching this buys a season or two at best, and replacement is often the better value.
Signs a Repair Will Do
- Damage is limited to one area, such as where a branch fell or a storm hit.
- The gate sags or will not latch, but the posts beside it are firm.
- A few boards are cracked, warped, or missing.
- Chain-link fabric has come loose from an otherwise straight frame.
Signs It Is Time to Replace
- The fence leans along most of its length.
- You are fixing the same sections every year.
- Wood is soft, rotted, or crumbling at the base of many posts and boards.
- Vinyl has become brittle and is cracking in several places.
- The fence no longer does its job, whether that is privacy, keeping a dog in, or meeting HOA rules.
What Colorado Springs Weather Does to Fences
Our climate is hard on fences in a few specific ways. Strong wind puts steady pressure on solid privacy fences, which act like a sail. Intense high-altitude sun dries and fades wood quickly. And freeze-thaw cycles can loosen post footings over time, especially where water collects at the base of the fence. A fence that drains well and has sound posts can handle all of this for many years. Our winter fence guide covers how to protect yours through the snow season.
Why Fall Is the Time to Decide
A weak section that survives the summer often fails in the first big winter wind or snow load. Repairing or replacing it in the fall, while the ground is still workable for setting posts, means the fence is ready before the storms arrive. It also gets you ahead of the spring rush, when everyone notices the winter damage at once. Read more in the case for a fall fence installation.
If You Replace, Choose for Our Climate
Wood is the most popular and affordable choice for privacy and is easy to repair one board at a time. Chain-link is the most economical way to enclose a yard. Vinyl and aluminum cost more up front and need very little upkeep. See our guide to choosing a fence material for Colorado Springs for the trade-offs.
Get a Second Opinion on Your Fence
If you are not sure which side of the line your fence is on, we will look at it and give you both options in a free estimate. Affordable Services has repaired and built fences across Colorado Springs since 1996. See our fence repair and installation in Colorado Springs, or call 719-572-1768.
