Buckhead Fence provides one of the best fence installation services in the Southeast. This is a big job that will take a great deal of time and effort. A fence remains an investment in your home, regardless of what we charge. Despite the fact that we install fences that last, no fence is guaranteed to last for the rest of the time. In order to ensure that your fence lasts as long as possible, you’ll have to take action yourself. Your fence’s longevity depends primarily on how well it is maintained. In other words, once the builders are gone, you will have to keep your fence in good shape. The good news is that you’re not alone. Here’s what you need to know about fencing maintenance.
The type of fence you have will determine the type of maintenance you need to perform. It is generally true that water is the nemesis of most fences. Your fence will age most quickly if it is exposed to water. Furthermore, keeping your fence clean will extend its life. Cleaning can sometimes be all that’s needed. There are, however, distinct needs for each type of material.
The Care and Maintenance of Wood Fences
There is no doubt that wood is one of the most popular fence materials. Although wood is a natural material, it also presents some of the most significant challenges in terms of maintenance. Our biggest enemy is water. Water accelerates the rotting process of wood. Additionally, wood can be eaten away by pests such as termites, carpenter ants, and carpenter bees. A final problem with wood is that sunlight can bleach and dry it out, causing it to splinter, warp, and eventually fall apart. The best way to prevent damage is through regular maintenance.
Protecting the wood with a sealant
As soon as your fence is installed, you should seal it with paint or stain to maintain it. You must wait 4-6 weeks for pressure-treated wood to completely dry before painting or staining. Water cannot penetrate and damage your wood when you treat it this way. The paint should last for 2-3 years before it needs to be sanded and repainted. In most cases, a stain can last three to five years before requiring reapplication.
Performing a damage inspection
Maintain your fence by walking its length every month to check for damage. Make sure there are no broken or loose pickets, tilted posts, splinters, or holes in the fence. It is also important to keep an eye out for loose nails depending on how the fence was built. There is one major advantage of a wood fence: it can be easily replaced if any pickets break or are damaged. An easy way to secure loose nails is to hammer them back into place.
Keeping the fence clean
Maintaining a clean fence is also important. Using soapy water should be enough to remove dust and pollen from your fence. Stronger garden hoses or gentle power washers should work on tougher stains. Be on the lookout for stains that are green or black. In most cases, green or black stains are due to mold or algae, and simple cleaning isn’t enough to remove them. You’ll get the stain back if you don’t kill the mold or algae. Luckily, it’s not hard to get rid of mold or algae. Simply mix one cup of chlorine bleach with one gallon of water to get rid of them. White vinegar can be substituted for bleach if you prefer a more natural method.
Here are some tips for maintaining vinyl fences
If you’re looking for a fence that requires little maintenance, vinyl is the best option. However, even vinyl fences require some care from time to time. Unlike other materials, vinyl is free from many concerns. You won’t have to worry about it rotting or rusting. No paint is applied, so no fading or peeling occurs. Moisture does not soak into it, and it does not warp. It is generally considered to be a durable material. Your vinyl fence may, however, still appear old and dirty due to surface dirt and stains.
The best way to clean vinyl fences
Keeping a vinyl fence clean is easy. A garden hose is usually all that is needed. You should start at the bottom and spray towards the top, then go back down from top to bottom. Sponge and soapy water can be used to remove spots left over. Cleaning a vinyl fence usually only requires something more if the stain is alive. A living stain usually looks like black, yellow, or green algae. Algae must be killed in order to remove the stain. To kill the algae and remove the stain, use diluted chlorine bleach and water, or white vinegar and water for a more natural approach, along with some elbow grease.
You can use a power washer with a concentrated cleaning fluid designed for power washers if you have a large enclosure that would take forever to clean by hand.
Summary of the main points
Every fence is most likely to be destroyed by water. It is best to maintain your fence by using a garden hose, power washer, or hand washes to keep it looking great for as long as possible. It is recommended that wooden fences be repainted every 2-3 years or that they be restrained every 5-6 years. Vinyl fences only require a little surface cleaning, and they are the lowest maintenance fence material.