When was the last time that you looked over your fence to see indications of fungal or rotten decay?

Oh, how can you say? Tut-tut isn't going to work.

Many people are unaware that the biggest threat to an innocent garden fence isn't a gale-force wind that can be mighty extreme weather. Nor is an explosive, slat-splitting strike by a rogue thief who slams every single fence in a 2-mile distance.

The real arch-enemy of your fence posts and fence panels is much more mundane. It slowly creeps up until the entire fence is destroyed and useless and leaving your pockets empty. Rot is the most threatening risk for your fence panels as well as posts.

There must be steps one can take to minimize the risk of decay that is premature? What can you do to prevent a fence from rotting?

The Fence Panels that Are Rot Proof

If your fence is in danger of rot, you can seek replacement posts and panels that are marked "pressure treated"; the pressure treatment process produces virtually non–rot-proof fencing panels.

If you're not sure if the panels you have purchased are pressure treated, check the color. Fence panels treated with pressure appear light and appear natural. Dip treated panels are, however, have a distinct orangey-brown shade and don't come with the same long-lasting anti-rot warranties.

How to treat fence panels

If your yard has an extensive stretch of dip-treated panels, don't worry about it. Keeping fungal decay and rot from happening isn't that difficult. In general, fence panels treated with dip are covered by a 10-year anti-rot and fungal decay warranty, but they require an annual coating of preservative for wood.

Treatment of panels is a simple enough procedure:

1. Get rid of any debris like cobwebs, lichen, and moss from your walls with a dry, stiff brush.
2. Determine the amount of fencing you want to address and multiply the area of the panel by how many panels make up the area.
3. Buy a premium name brand wood preservative.
4. Follow the instructions for application.

Now, voilà your fence is secure! It's as easy as this.

Are Gravel Boards Necessary?

In a nutshell, yes. Gravel boards are vital for stopping rot. They are simply placed under the panels and shield them from water, vegetation, as well as other debris in the soil.

There are two kinds of gravel boards in the market: concrete and wooden. Wooden boards are treated by pressure and come with the same 15-year warranty as posts and panels. Concrete panels are durable, strong, and heavy-duty. The choice is yours.

Additionally, one of the benefits of gravel-based boards is the added height they offer, improving security and privacy.

Do Fence Posts Require Caps?

Again, absolutely. Although they appear tiny, caps are crucial tools to fight decay and play a vital function in guarding fence posts' fragile tops. Without caps for fence posts, or perhaps, if you're feeling fancy finials, the tops of the posts are vulnerable to elements. In the event of prolonged rain, they can lead to a build-up of moisture that eventually causes rot.

Replace Rotten Fencing

If you are observant, you will notice that the previous tips all adhere to the famous maxim: Preventative measures are better than treatment. However, when the rot has already been able to take hold of a post or a panel, nothing to be done about it as there's no choice but to purchase a replacement there's no remedy for decay.