Secure Your Texas Home in Style: Exploring the Benefits of Iron Fencing

When building or maintaining a deck or fence, one of the key decisions you'll face is whether to use nails or screws to fasten the boards. While nails have traditionally been the go-to choice for wood construction, screws are increasingly preferred for a variety of reasons. Below, we explore why screws often outperform nails in deck and fence projects.: Superior Holding Power : Remove any dirt, dust, and debris that may have accumulated over the summer. This helps prevent rot and decay. There’s new techniques rather than pressure washing. We offer these services if interested. Increased Durability : One of the most significant advantages of screws over nails is their superior holding power. Screws are designed with threads that grip into the wood, which means they’re much less likely to pull loose over time. As the wood expands and contracts with changing weather conditions, nails can shift, causing boards to loosen or even detach. With screws, this shift is less of a concern, as the threads hold the wood in place more securely. Easier Removal and Repair : Another benefit of screws is that they’re much easier to remove if repairs or adjustments are necessary. If a board becomes damaged, or if you need to modify the layout of your fence or deck, screws can be unscrewed and replaced with minimal effort. In contrast, nails can be tricky to remove, and the process might damage the surrounding wood, making repairs more challenging. The ease with which screws can be removed makes them a far more flexible option for projects that may need future modifications. Less Risk of Splitting : When installing fasteners into wood, especially near the edges, there’s a risk of splitting the material. Nails, particularly if they’re driven in too forcefully or without pilot holes, can easily cause wood to split. Screws are far less likely to split wood, especially if you pre-drill pilot holes to guide the screw in smoothly. This reduces the chances of damaging the boards during installation, which can save time and money in the long run. Aesthetic Appeal : For homeowners or contractors concerned with the appearance of the finished project, screws also offer an aesthetic advantage. Unlike nails, which may leave noticeable dimples or heads that can detract from the look of the structure, screws can be countersunk below the surface of the wood. Once installed, these screw holes can be filled with wood filler or covered with decorative plugs, creating a smooth, seamless finish. This can give your deck or fence a more polished, professional look. Long-Term Cost Efficiency: Although screws may cost a bit more upfront compared to nails, their long-term value cannot be overstated. With their superior holding power, durability, and ease of repair, screws reduce the likelihood of needing frequent repairs or replacements, which can save both time and money in the future. In contrast, decks or fences built with nails may require more maintenance and faster replacements, ultimately making screws the more cost-effective choice over time. While nails may be cheaper and quicker to use in the short term, screws offer clear advantages when it comes to building strong, durable, and aesthetically pleasing decks and fences. Their superior holding power, durability, ease of removal, and reduced risk of splitting make them a better option for ensuring that your outdoor structures last for years to come. Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or a seasoned contractor, opting for screws is an investment that can make a noticeable difference in the quality and longevity of your project.

Fall is a great time to ensure your fence is in top shape before winter arrives. Here are some tips for maintaining your fence in Texas during the fall: Clean Your Fence : Remove any dirt, dust, and debris that may have accumulated over the summer. This helps prevent rot and decay. There’s new techniques rather than pressure washing. We offer these services if interested. Inspect for Damage : Check for any signs of damage, such as cracks, warping, or insect infestations. Address these issues promptly to prevent further deterioration. Check the base of fence posts, especially wood posts. Many homes have builder grade fences that were improperly installed with landscape timbers (rounded on 2 sides/flat on the other 2). Apply a Sealant : Consider applying a cedar sealant with UV protection to protect your fence from the harsh Texas sun and moisture. Clear Leaves and Debris : Rake up fallen leaves and clear any debris around the base of the fence. Leaves can trap moisture, leading to decay and damage. Reinforce and Repair : Make any necessary repairs to ensure your fence remains sturdy. This includes adding screws if your fence was built with nails, replacing damaged boards, and reinforcing weak spots. Inspect your gates: Check your latch spring, spray latches and hinges with silicone spray to help stop them from rusting. By following these tips, you can help prolong the lifespan of your fence and keep it looking great throughout the fall and winter months.

According to texaslawhelp.org Texas has detailed laws that will solve the dispute of who owns the fence regardless of who has the posts or who has the pickets 3.0 FALLING TREES, FLYING LIMBS & RELATED NOISES 3.1 Overview This chapter addresses situations in which natural disasters— heavy rains, high winds, flooding, etc.— cause uprooted trees, broken tree limbs, and other like objects to damage persons or property, including noise during cleanup. 3.2 Most Common Issues/Questions The fence between my property and my neighbor's property is down. Who has to pay to replace it? 3.3 Summary of the Law As a practical matter, the answers to many of the above questions depend on whether the property owners in question have homeowner's insurance. The answers also might vary city to city or county to county as ordinances and local regulations vary and as local municipal departments are at times responsible for cleaning up neighborhoods. As a general rule, compensation may not be obtained for losses, damage, or harm suffered as a result of an act of God, which means an occurrence due directly and exclusively to natural causes without human intervention and which no amount of foresight or care, reasonably exercised, could have prevented (including natural disasters). "[Damages resulting from an act of God are not ordinarily chargeable to anyone." Hutchings v. Anderson, 452 S.W.2d 10, 15 (Tex. App.-Dallas 1970, no writ). There are, however, at least two exceptions to this general rule. The first exception to the "act of God" rule is damage suffered by a homeowner or tenant due to high winds or rain may be covered by an insurance policy, and damage caused by flooding may be covered by a separate flood insurance policy (sold by an insurance agent and overseen by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as part of the National Flood Insurance Program.). The first question, then, is whether the homeowner or tenant has an insurance policy, and the second is, if so, whether the policy covers losses due to the specific kind of damage that has occurred (for example, damage from high winds and rain). A policy may exclude coverage for any losses from disasters altogether or may cover only some types of losses, but not others. In one case, a policy did not mention disasters specifically, but excluded from coverage any losses caused by floods and high water, "whether driven by wind or not." That policy language prompted a fact-intensive inquiry into which damages were caused by rising waters and which were caused by wind-driven rain. National Union Fire Insurance Co. v. Cox, 393 S.W.2d 939 (Tex. App.— Houston 1965, no writ). The second thing to note is that this "act of God" doctrine applies only where a natural disaster or similar act of God is the sole or exclusive cause of the damages. Macedonia Baptist Church v. Gibson, 833 S.W.2d 557, 560 (Tex. App.-Texarkana 1992, writ denied) ("An accident is the result of an act of God when it is due directly and exclusively to natural causes without human intervention."). It does not apply to situations in which negligence has been a substantial contributing cause of the damages, regardless of whether or not the person who is negligent could have reasonably foreseen the disaster or its force. After a homeowner successfully sued to recover for damages caused by a billboard sign that collapsed on her house during Hurricane Alicia in 1983, one Texas court stated: [Conditions created by the defendant's initial negligence must not have run their course and must have actively contributed to the injuries. ... If an actor's conduct is a "substantial factor" in causing harm to another, the fact that he did not foresee nor should have foreseen the extent of the harm or the manner in which it occurred does not preclude liability. Gannett Outdoor Co. of Texas v. Kubeczka, 710 S.W.2d 79, 85 (Tex. App.-Houston [14* Dist.] 1986, no writ (citations omitted). That court found that the billboard company's failure to take "adequate precautionary measures" to secure the sign "actively contributed" to the sign's falling on the house, regardless of whether the force of Hurricane Alicia had been foreseeable. Id. In that regard, a failure to secure objects that can reasonably be expected to be swept up in a disaster likely gives rise to liability. Similarly, the failure to take steps to remove, or at least secure, a diseased or dead tree may well make a homeowner liable for damages if the tree is uprooted by a disaster and damages neighboring property or persons. 3.5 FAQS Q. 3-7 The fence between my property and my neighbor's property is down. Who has to pay to replace it? If a fence is located entirely on your neighbor's property, the fence is considered to be the exclusive property of your neighbor. Consequently, unless you have entered into an enforceable agreement with your neighbor or certain deed restrictions mandate that fences be erected and divide responsibilities among neighbors, you are not obligated to fix the fence on your neighbor's property, nor can you compel your neighbors to fix their fence. On the other hand, if the fence is on your property, it is your responsibility to fix it, though your neighbor cannot compel you to replace the fence. If the fence was originally installed on your neighbor's property but fell on to your property as a result of the storm, you can remove the fence from your property in the same way you can move trees and limbs from your property. If the fence is on the boundary line between both properties, both property owners own the fence as long as both "use" it, unless an agreement indicates otherwise. Thus, you and your neighbor would share the cost of repairing and replacing the fence. Check local ordinances for the applicable definition of "use."

As the weather changes, especially when it gets colder, it’s a good time to check your fence for weaknesses.

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