Why Fences Fail:
- Glovers Fencing
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
The Most Common Reasons We See on Site
When a fence fails, most people assume the same thing:
“It’s just old.”
In reality, age is often the least important factor.
Across Colorbond, timber and aluminium fencing, the majority of failures we see on site come down to how the fence was installed and what it was installed into — not the material itself.
This article breaks down the most common, real-world reasons fences fail early, and what homeowners should understand before choosing a fencer or a material.
1. Installation Shortcuts
Two fences can use the exact same material and have completely different lifespans.
The difference is almost always installation.
Common shortcuts we see:
Posts holes not dug deep or wide enough
Concrete poured into wet or unstable soil, or dry-mixed without proper water coverage
Panels installed before the post footings have cured
Gates hung on posts not designed to carry their load
These shortcuts don’t always show immediately. In fact, the fence may look perfect on day one.
Problems usually appear 12–36 months later — leaning posts, loose panels, sagging gates.
Good to know: A fence that looks straight today can already be structurally compromised below ground.
2. Post Depth and Footings: What You Never See Matters Most
The most important part of any fence is the part you never see.
Post depth and footing size determine:
Wind resistance
Gate stability
How the fence handles soil movement
Shallow posts are one of the most common causes of premature failure.
In strong winds or reactive soils, a post that’s even 100–150mm too shallow can slowly loosen over time.
Once a post moves, the fence follows.
Good to know: Many fence failures start underground long before there are visible signs above ground.
3. Soil Type: One Installation Method Does Not Suit All Blocks
Australian soil varies dramatically — sometimes from one suburb to the next.
The most common soil-related issues we encounter:
Reactive Clay
Expands when wet, contracts when dry
Pushes and pulls fence posts over time
Requires deeper, well-formed footings
Sandy or Loose Fill
Lacks lateral support
Posts can lean even if concrete is used
Requires correct footing diameter and compaction
Rocky Ground
Often leads to compromised post depth
Temptation to “make do” rather than excavate properly
A fence installed without accounting for soil conditions is already on borrowed time.
4. Drainage Issues: Water Is the Enemy of Every Fence
Water causes more fence failures than most people realise.
Poor drainage leads to:
Timber rot at ground level
Rust bleed and corrosion in steel fencing
Concrete footings weakening over time
Common drainage problems we see:
Posts sitting in constantly wet soil
Garden beds built up against fences
Water runoff directed toward fence lines
Pooling at post bases after rain
Important: Even galvanized and powder-coated steel can fail early if water is allowed to sit around the footing.
5. Rushing the Job (Especially Around Weather)
Concrete doesn’t “set” instantly.
Installing panels or hanging gates before footings have cured properly is a major cause of:
Post movement
Fence lean
Gate sag
Rain makes this worse.
Wet ground prevents concrete from bonding properly with surrounding soil, leading to weak footings that slowly loosen over time.
This is why professional installers will delay work during heavy rain — not to inconvenience you, but to protect the longevity of the fence.
6. Gates: The First Thing to Fail on a Poorly Installed Fence
Gates place significantly more load on fence posts than panels do.
Common gate-related failures:
Undersized posts
Incorrect hinge placement
No allowance for ground movement
When a gate sags, it’s rarely the gate’s fault.
It’s almost always the post and footing beneath it.
7. Material Choice Still Matters — But Only After Installation Is Right
Each material has its own vulnerabilities:
Timber is affected by moisture, rot and termites
Colorbond steel is affected by water retention and poor drainage
Aluminium is lightweight but relies heavily on correct post strength
However, when installed correctly and suited to the site, all three materials can deliver excellent longevity.
Material failure is usually the final symptom, not the root cause.
The Takeaway: Most Fence Failures Are Preventable
When homeowners ask us why their fence failed early, the answer is rarely simple — but it’s rarely a mystery.
The biggest factors are:
Installation quality
Soil conditions
Drainage management
Allowing adequate curing time
A fence is a structural installation, not just a visual one.
Understanding what happens below ground is the difference between a fence that lasts five years and one that lasts decades.
Thinking About a New Fence?
Before choosing a material, make sure your installer understands:
Your soil type
Drainage flow
Wind exposure
Gate loads
The right advice early can save you from expensive repairs later — and that’s something most people only learn after a failure.
At Glovers Fencing, we believe an informed homeowner makes the best decisions.
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