Owning a wooden fence requires routine maintenance to keep it looking its best and lasting many years. In this article, we’ll discuss the importance of fence maintenance and some tips on maintaining your fence.
Key Takeaways
1. Keep the fence clean
2. Protect the wood from the sun and rain
3. Inspect for damage and repairs
4. Replace damaged boards
5. Perform regular maintenance tasks
6. Perform a hardware check
7. Put as little weight as possible on the fence
8. Eliminate mould
Importance of Maintaining Your Wooden Fence
Classic wood fencing looks great and gives your property a unique look, but regular maintenance is required to maintain its beauty. A lack of preventive care can have dire consequences.
The dirt and grime on your fence should be cleaned regularly to avoid build-up and discolouration and keep it looking good. It would be best if you also prevented mildew and algae from growing, which can cause the wood to rot and damage its integrity. Additionally, wood fences are susceptible to termites and insect infestations, making preventative maintenance on fences essential.
Fence maintenance is particularly crucial before the colder months. Surfaces made of wood can be pretty vulnerable to winter weather. That’s why you should take precautions to protect your fence before winter arrives.
How Do You Maintain a Wooden Fence?
Despite wood’s strength and durability, it is an organic material. Weather conditions, such as wind, rain and snow, take their toll over time. By taking care of your wood fence and preserving its strength and great looks, you can keep it looking like new for a long time.
So how to look after a fence? What do you need to do to keep it looking new? Below are some tips for homeowners to keep their wooden walls in good shape for as long as possible.
1. Keep the fence clean
Regularly cleaning your fence with a garden hose will remove dirt, dust and debris. It’s also essential to keep vines away. While vines are beautiful, you don’t want them damaging your wooden fence. Plants provide an ideal environment for moisture and insects to flourish. So make sure your plants aren’t directly touching your fence.
2. Protect the wood from the sun and rain
Painting or sealing the wood will protect it from weathering. Seal the fence with a sealant to prevent rot. In the same way that wax protects your car, wood-preserving bonds will do the same for your wooden fence. After applying the adhesive, the fence will remain moist and not crack or dry out.
For fences that aren’t painted, sealants should be applied annually. But if your fence is painted, it will benefit from a re-stain every three to five years to prevent deterioration. It is common for fence contractors to stain the fence once it has been installed. Pre-staining the wood is, however, the best method for protecting it.
If you’re wondering where to buy fence paint, you can purchase paints, stains, varnishes and other supplies for your garden project online or at your local hardware store.
3. Inspect for damage and repairs
Look for chips, cracks and rot, and repair as necessary. Taking care of any damage and repairing fences early on will help you avoid more costly repairs in the future. Make sure you keep an eye out for holes. If knots are in your wooden fence, weather changes may result in them falling out, creating knotholes. Other typical problems to look out for include missing caps, scratches and nicks.
Pay attention to weak areas. By placing your weight on each post, you can determine whether it is stable. Posts that move indicate that there might be ground movement or damage to the wood, such as rot. Depending on the extent of the damage, some repairs can be completed on your own, while others require professional assistance.
4. Replace damaged boards
Damaged boards should be replaced as soon as possible to prevent further damage. When your fence only has a few damaged or warped boards, it’s better to replace them rather than replace the whole thing. You should first measure your boards to determine how much lumber you need.
Use a crowbar to remove the damaged boards, taking care not to damage adjacent panels. After removing the faulty boards, position the new boards and mark the railing where the nails will go. Then, attach the new boards using a nail gun or a hammer.
5. Perform regular maintenance tasks
Periodically blow off leaves and debris. Don’t let your fence become cluttered with branches and pine needles. Additionally, ensure the fence bottom is kept clean by not allowing debris to accumulate. The accumulation of moist material between boards, on top of rails or around posts encourages rot.
6. Perform a hardware check
Ensure that screws, hinges and posts are regularly inspected as a preventative measure. Replace or repair as necessary.
7. Put as little weight as possible on the fence
Fences made of wood can be easily drilled. So it’s common for homeowners to decorate their fences with flower pots, ornaments made of metal or other similar items. These additions to the fence may look nice, but if they weigh a lot, the fence may become overloaded.
You can decorate your fence with small items but keep away from heavy ornaments or flower boxes, as they may add weight and sag your fence over time. Still, if you intend to hang something more serious, place it on the posts, not the fence boards.
8. Eliminate mould
Mould can do much damage to wooden objects. Your fence’s wooden surface is susceptible to this fungus due to excessive moisture. As mould grows on the fence, it penetrates deep into the wood, leading to rot. White vinegar and water can be used to remove mould from fences.
How to Get Fence Panels Delivered
Looking for single fence panels for sale but not sure where to buy fence panels? Enterprise Works offers 6-ft-wide FSC-sourced panels made of pressure-treated timber. We can deliver quality fence panels within the Swindon area. Reach out to us via phone or email today.
