Michigan has a mean temperamental climate. Your underground dog fence endures freeze and thaw, heavy snow, spring flooding and summer heat which is not likely to happen at any point in the life of a homeowner in less harsh climates. These things work great in the fall and then break down apnotically without your awareness until it’s spring and your dog “has the run of the house”.
This Spring/Summer dog fence maintenance Michigan guide will provide you with all the information you need to know about what things you need to check, at which time and what warning signs you need to never overlook.
Why Michigan’s Climate Is Hard on Underground Fence Systems
Michigan is in a freeze thaw climate zone. Bottom temperatures can be expected to be below freezing in January and may reach 80°F in July and beyond. This constant movement can also strain and warp buried boundary wire, cause corrosion at points of splices and put undue strain on the ground, possibly causing the wires to be stretched beyond breaking points near tree roots, sidewalks and driveways.
Then there’s the wintery weather in Michigan that greatly speeds up the process of wire corrosion caused by road salt washed off into the water supply. When the boundary wire is located close to a driveway or public sidewalk, there is salt exposure each and every season.
The good news is that 90% of problems become obvious as a result of a consistent seasonal maintenance procedure prior to your dog noticing them.
Spring – The Most Important Maintenance Period
Underground fence wire inspection Michigan is paramount in the spring. After months of freezing and thawing and grinding, the earth’s surface has been damaged; it is apparent right here.
What to Do in Spring
- Complete the walk all around the line. Beware of areas of leaving earth, areas where the ground has been moved, or areas where parts of the wire have been exposed, particularly around driveways, walkways, and along trees.
- Run a complete Diagnostic on the system. The majority of transmitters will provide a wire break indicator. When light is flashing or alarm sounds, you will have a break somewhere on the loop.
- Test the collar. Position receiver collar close to boundary wire and verify it beeps and activates at proper distance. If the response is slow or the receiver is not responding, test the battery first, then sensitivity.
- Inspect all splices. The number one reason for failure of the splices is caused by ground activity in the winter. A waterproofing with a gel filled connector (not electrical tape, which doesn’t work underground) should be used on any splice.
- Test the transmitter unit. Install in a non-corrosive environment, ensure that the computer’s power supply is good and nothing has broken into the housing during the winter.
- Re-activate boundary width settings. Signal strength may be slightly affected by ground thaw. On leash walk your dog along the edge to ensure consistency of the correction zone.
Pro Tip for Michigan Homeowners: Pay extra attention to areas where the wire runs under or near concrete. Wire breaks tend to be concentrated at the edges of the previous surfaces where there is frost heave, which is most significant.
Summer: Performance Checks and Collar Maintenance
Underground systems are at a lower risk in the summertime, but it’s not maintenance-free. It presents additional variables like heat, lawn care activity and an increase in outdoor time.
What to Do in Summer
- Check the wiring following any digging or landscaping. The major causes of inadvertent wire cuts in summer are edging, aerating and irrigation trenching. Meeting all lawn services, mark the limit line.
- Make sure to inspect collar contact points every month. Swimming and running around dogs, long hours spent outdoors or being sprinkled with water cause the batteries to drain much faster and corrosion to the contact points. Use a dry cloth to wipe down the surfaces weekly that are in contact.
- Replace collar batteries every 30 days. An installation with a “dead collar battery” has no containment. Schedule a monthly calendar reminder.
- Check the transmitter for pests. Transmitter boxes sometimes have nests built in them or around them by wasps and rodents. Remove nests; verify that ventilation slots are free of nests.
- Keep an eye on your dog’s reaction to the border. Adjust fence test signal width and collar sensitivity if your dog is testing the fence more than normal, or get confused by the location of the fence.
Fall: Prepare Before the Ground Freezes
Fall is your final opportunity to repair issues before the ground becomes ice-cold in Michigan, making repairs impractical or even impossible until spring.
What to Do in Fall
- Run a complete boundary wire survey before the first hard frost. Use a wire locator to probe any suspicious locations if shallow burial is suspected due to erosion in the summertime.
- Cover all above-ground wire runs with conduit or wire tubing. All wires above grade – driveway, garage entrance or potential fence line – can be at risk from snow plows or ice damage.
- Check the housing of the transmitter. Ensure that it is in a warmed protected spot. Transmitters should never be exposed to temperatures below freezing outside.
- Flush splice connections. Before ground freeze, replace corroded splices or taped splices with gel-filled “waterproof” connectors.
- Record boundary Map. Draw or take pictures of full boundary layout – depth and path. We hope you find a break someday during spring that you’ll be thankful for
Fall zone and UP specific: Start out on fall maintenance sooner – consider late September; otherwise October.
Winter: Monitoring, Not Maintenance
Now winter has come, wire repairs are not feasible when the ground is frozen. Monitoring system performance, protecting the collar is what’s on your mind this winter.
What to Do in Winter
- Monitor the transmitter light each day. Your initial warning should be a wire break indicator. Do not wait until a problem is in sight to find out – with your dog.
- Keep collar batteries out of cold temperatures. Low temperatures of the battery decrease their efficiency. Bring in collars overnight if your dog is an indoor dog. Change batteries more often in wintertime.
- Prevent wiring snow removal cuts. Mark your border-line before snow falls. Make sure it is very evident for snow plow contractors and yourself. One common cause of underground dog fence freeze-thaw damage Michigan occurs is when the accidental nick during plowing is not discovered under the snow.
- Have an extra spare collar receiver. If your collar breaks in the winter and no one can locate your collar and provide a replacement, then you have 0 containment. A back-up unit is an insurance that’s not too expensive.
- Avoid wire work in frozen soil. You’ll further sever the wire. Enter the suspected site of the problem, flag it above ground and fix it in Spring.
Year-Round Maintenance Checklist
| Task | Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Boundary Walk | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | – |
| Wire Break Diagnostic | ✅ | Monthly | ✅ | Weekly |
| Collar Battery Check | ✅ | Monthly | ✅ | Bi-weekly |
| Splice Inspection | ✅ | – | ✅ | – |
| Transmitter Check | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Weekly |
| Collar Contact Clean | – | Weekly | Monthly | Monthly |
When to Call a Professional
The Hidden Fence Maintenance Tips are offered by the experts in Michigan that most DIYs can’t. In case of any of the following, contact a certified technician:
- You see a break in your transmitter, but cannot find it using a regular walk-through
- The collar fails to fire when making a collection call across the boundary
- There are several points you had from previous repairs – reliability decreases more rapidly the more you have spliced (3+ more than one loop, goes down a lot)
- More than 7-10 years old and has been having recurring problems (wire insulation is degraded)
- Adding another dog or expanding containment area
A service cost is $75 – $150 and an inspection by a professional pet containment system maintenance company can help you to avoid the costly replacement of the entire system down the road.
Frequently Asked Questions Underground Dog Fence Maintenance Guide
How often should I do a full underground dog fence inspection in Michigan?
At least twice a year – spring before the freeze thaw and fall before ground freeze. More regular inspections are necessary in Michigan than in other states.
Can underground dog fence wire break from freeze-thaw cycles alone?
Yes. One of the leading factors for wire failure in Michigan is soil heaving caused by repeated freeze thaw cycles from underground dog fence.
How deep should underground fence wire be buried in Michigan?
A minimum of 3 inches, but 4-6 inches is recommended for Michigan. The deeper the planting, the less likely freeze-thaw stress will be a problem and the more protection from lawn equipment damage.
Does road salt damage invisible fence wire?
Yes. This is because salt contributes to the insulation deterioration and leads to corrosion at the splicing points of the wire. All wires should be checked springtime for corrosion problems, particularly near driveways and public sidewalks. This is both an important aspect of invisible fence annual maintenance Michigan procedures.
What's the most common reason an underground dog fence stops working in Michigan?
It is ESPECIALLY at splice locations and near hardships that wires get compromised, leading to dead collar batteries. Both can be prevented via a seasonal maintenance program.
What can I do to fix underground fence wire?
With a gel loaded, waterproof wire connecting system, minor breaks are easy for DIY. If your dog fence has a complicated breakage, a professional electric dog fence seasonal care Michigan technician will be a better person to deal with the problem.
How do I know if my underground fence wire is broken?
Usually, most transmitters have a break indicator light or alarm sound. Alternatively, you may stroll along the edge of the collar – if you lose signal at the collar it was a break there.
Should I leave the underground fence on during Michigan winters?
Yes, the transmitter should be left powered on. Monitors wires throughout the year. Note, however, that the system will not be adequate for unsupervised containment under severe snowfall conditions because snow may cause a degradation in collar signal reception along the boundary.
What type of wire connector is best for underground fence repairs in Michigan?
Use gel filled waterproof splice connectors-also known as “DBY” or “direct bury” connectors (A). Underground construction materials aren’t made for standard wire nuts or electrical tape, particularly in Michigan’s wet spring soil.
How long does underground dog fence wire last in Michigan?
The useful life for a quality wire item is approximately 15-20 years, but can be shortened to 10-12 years from exposure in areas of heavy salt use and/or significant freeze and thaw activity caused by the climate in Michigan. Pet containment system maintenance Michigan inspections can assist you in preventing degradation before complete breakdown.