Your fence takes quite a beating, being constantly exposed to wind, rain, and snow. Proper maintenance from https://rcfence1.com/ can keep your fence looking like new and functioning properly. Start with a thorough cleaning. Mold, mildew, and dirt buildup are sure to damage your fence over time. Also, make sure to check for and hammer in loose pickets.
Clean It Regularly
Cleaning a fence regularly is one of the best ways to keep it looking great and prolong its lifespan. This process removes buildup of dirt and grime that can leave your wood fence with a discolored appearance. Cleaning is also necessary for removing mold and mildew as well as more stubborn contaminants like rust. Wood fences are exposed to the elements and can collect dirt, dust, sand, leaves, grass clippings and more. The regularity with which you clean your wood fence can depend on how often it becomes discolored, but every three to five years is a good rule of thumb.
A regular hosing down is enough to maintain a clean and healthy looking fence, but power washing might be necessary in order to get rid of more serious stains. This is especially true if your wood fence has reached the end of its life and is beginning to show signs of serious damage and wear.
If you decide to use a power washer, make sure to use it at a low-to-medium pressure and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Using high-pressure water can damage your fence and even strip it of its protective seal. To avoid this, it is best to work in small sections and rinse your fence with a garden hose afterwards.
Start by wetting the area you wish to wash with a hose and apply the cleaning product, such as a commercial masonry or deck cleaner, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Be sure to scrub any clumps of dirt with a brush and to rinse off the fence thoroughly. If you notice any stubborn stains, such as green algae, apply an oxygen bleach solution (such as Oxyclean) to the stain and let it sit for 10 minutes before scrubbing. Rinse off the fence again with a hose and repeat as needed until your wood fence is clean.
Be sure to rinse the detergent off your wooden fence with a hose in a fan pattern to avoid any streaking or damage. Then, allow your fence to dry completely before you stain it or paint it.
Repair Damaged Sections
If sections of your fence are starting to look saggy or have loose pickets, this is something that should be addressed right away. The longer these problems go unresolved, the worse they’ll get. If you catch the problem early, it will be much easier and cheaper to fix.
Ideally, you should take a walk around your property every month or so and carefully inspect each section of the fence. Check for damage or rot and make sure each section is securely connected to the next one. You should also check the hardware, such as hinges and latches, to ensure they’re working properly.
For wood fences, it’s important to regularly clean and stain them. This protects the wood from the sun and elements, keeping it in good shape longer. It’s also a good idea to reapply water-repellent stain or paint every few years.
When a wood fence is damaged, it’s usually easy to replace the affected slat. You’ll need a few tools, including a hammer and chisel or screwdriver. First, remove the caps on the posts on either side of the affected slat. Then, using a hammer and chisel, loosen the screw that holds the top railing to the tabs inside the post. Once the slat is removed, simply pull down on the other end of the bottom rail and then start pulling slats off until you reach the damaged one. Replace the damaged slat, then screw or nail the top rail and post cap back into place.
If you have a chain-link fence, use lineman’s pliers to bend the ends of the ties that hold the fabric in place. This will free them from the fence and allow you to cut or loosen the fasteners that held the old rails. Once you’ve removed the old rail, mark the spot where it will be replaced on the new rail. Use a pencil to outline the replacement area on the old rail, then mark that same spot on the new rail and cut it at the marks you made.
If the decorative sections of your wrought iron fence are starting to separate, this is probably a sign that it’s time for an upgrade. Wrought iron professionals will normally weld the sections together, but you can make a sturdy repair by mixing up some epoxy repair putty and applying it to the joints. You can purchase this type of repair putty at most home improvement stores.
Apply a Fresh Coat of Paint or Stain
As time passes, your fence may need a fresh coat of paint or stain to help it maintain its good looks and protect the wood. A new coat of either can help deter rot and insects, while a fresh stain provides an attractive natural look for the entire fence. Before you apply a new coating, thoroughly inspect the structure to ensure it’s strong and stable. You should also repair or replace any rotting planks to prevent further damage and decay.
If you’re going to paint your fence, wash it first to remove any dirt or debris that may be preventing the new coat from adhering properly. You should also clean any rotting boards, scrape off any peeling paint and scrub the surface with a fungicidal wash to remove any algae, mildew or wood rot. This step is particularly important if you’re painting over an existing coat of paint; without it, the new finish can flake or peel off in patches.
Once your fence is washed, you can begin the process of applying a new coat of stain. If you’re working with a sprayer, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure you’re using the right amount of pressure and the sprayer is set to the correct nozzle setting. Otherwise, you can use a brush, pad or roller to stain the slats. If you’re using a roller, be sure to apply the color in two- to three-foot sections at a time and make overlapping strokes for even coverage that’s free of lap marks.
Staining a fence is relatively easy and more affordable than painting, but it does require a bit of prep work. Depending on the weather, you should wait for dry conditions before starting. You should also cover surrounding plants to prevent stains from spilling or staining them.
While it’s difficult to say exactly how often a fence needs to be stained or painted, it’s safe to assume that the climate will play a large role in this. In rainy areas, you’ll likely need to refinish your fence more frequently than in arid regions, as moisture can do the most damage to unprotected wood. A good way to determine if your fence is in need of a fresh coat is by watching how water beads up on the surface – when it no longer beads, it’s probably time for a new stain.
Trim Vegetation
The grass and weeds that grow close to your fence aren’t just unsightly, but they can also damage it. Weeds and grass can trap moisture near the wood of a fence, which can lead to rot or rusting. There are a few ways to prevent this, including using herbicides or trimming with a trimmer. If you use herbicides, speak to your neighbors before spraying along property lines as they may want to protect their gardens.
If you choose to use a trimmer, take the time to carefully trim all sides of the fence for a clean appearance. This saves a lot of weeding and prevents the need to go back over sections later.
You should also check to see if any pickets are loose or need to be re-nailed. Loose pickets can allow for insects to enter your yard, so it’s important that they’re secure. Loose nails can also cause your fence to lose its structure and appearance. Checking and re-nailing pickets is an easy job that can be done during a regular maintenance visit.
If your fence is made from wood, it should be re-stained at least every three years. Staining helps to keep moisture and UV rays off of the wood, which helps to prevent rotting and mildew. Staining can be done with a brush, sprayer, or roll, but it is recommended that you sand each trouble spot before touching up.
Aside from staining, it’s also important to keep up with other maintenance tasks. These include regularly raking up leaves and other debris that can pile up near the fence. Moisture trapped in these leaf piles can hasten the decay of a wooden fence, so keeping them cleared away is essential.
If you notice any signs of insect infestation, be sure to contact a pest control specialist right away. Insect infestation is a serious problem that can cause major damage to a fence, especially if it’s made of wood. It’s also recommended that you apply a protective coating to the posts of your fence, especially those in areas with plenty of rainfall. This helps to prevent rotting and insect infestation.