Depending on where you are located, the snowy season is almost here. During the winter months most construction companies experience a reduction in available work. To combat the slow season, construction companies can look for new ways to help customers during the cooler months with products designed to alleviate issues associated with snow and cold weather. One great product to offer your customers is a snow fence. A snow fence serves as a barrier and prevents snow from drifting into undesirable areas. Snow fences can provide benefits to both businesses and homeowners.
The job of a snow fence is to cut the wind so that it doesn’t blow snow into drifts where it could create problems. Snow fencing is placed so that it prevents snow piling up on roads, parking lots, driveways, patios, or any other designated area. The snow fence redirects the windblown snow, which can reduce the amount of snow shoveling or plowing that needs to be done.
In addition, a snow fence is a great way to collect snow so that when it melts it contributes to a pond, watering hole or fertile land within a property. Homeowners also use snow fencing around their home, especially if the property has a slope, to help keep melting snow from seeping into the foundation so the ground close to the home doesn’t become oversaturated, causing leaks or other problems. Snow fence is commonly made from plastic but can also be made from slat wood. Strategically placed bushes and trees can also serve as snow fencing.
For a snow fence to be effective it needs to be installed upwind of the area that it is intended to keep clear. This involves studying the area to see which direction winds tend to blow. If you place it downstream of wind it will not be effective since snow will pile up inside the designated area instead of on the outside. In addition, there needs to be at least a five-inch gap under the fence to help distance where the drift starts to form. You can leave a bigger gap if you want the drift farther back. Keep in mind that winter winds are very powerful, so installation products, such as a quality power stapler and fasteners, are important.
You want to be sure your snow fence can stand up to Old Man Winter, so quality installation is key. FASCO’s® F44AC CN15W-PS65 and F44AC CNO-PS65 fence and siding coil nailers are lightweight and easy to handle, with good balance. Both feature a switchable trigger for single shot and bump fire for efficiency in installation, and work with FASCO’s® coil fence/siding nails that are hot dipped, stainless steel, making them ideal for outdoor use. Take a closer look at these tools by FASCO® (a member of the BECK Group) before winter strikes.