Homeowners Can Do These 3 Things to Keep Their Wooden Privacy Fences Beautiful and Sturdy
Homeowners Can Do These 3 Things to Keep Their Wooden Privacy Fences
Looking for an inexpensive way to add curb appeal to a home?
Wooden fence are especially attractive and can be very pricey, but they can also easily chip and rot if they’re not cared for properly. Here’s how you can keep your wooden fence in tip-top shape, while adding beauty to your property.
- – Keep trees at least 10 feet away from the fence. Closer to the fence, the roots can push up against the wood, causing cracking.
- – Mow your yard regularly. Doing so will keep grass and weeds from growing around the fence. This will prevent moisture from becoming trapped near the wood and protect it from rot and damage.
- – Find a fence company that carries high-quality wood, like cedar or redwood fence posts with pressure treated lumber which can withstand harsh weather conditions.
Learn more about keeping your wooden fence looking its best.
If you are thinking about buying a wooden privacy fence for your home, make sure that you take care of it. There are many things that homeowners can do to keep their fences beautiful and sturdy. With the tips below, your wooden privacy fence will look great for years and not cost an arm or a leg in upkeep.
- Give your fence a professional cleaning. If you have had a fence for years, it may be time to get it cleaned. When you do this, you will want to make sure that the company cleaning your fence is licensed by the state. Only state-licensed companies can legally clean wooden fences without damaging them.
- Maintain regular oiling or applying resin to your wooden privacy fence as needed. If you let it go too long between oiling, your fence may start to dry out. To avoid this, use a penetrating sealant every 2 or 3 years. This will give your fence the protection that it needs and you will avoid having to completely re-strip and re-oil the fence. You can also apply a coat of oil or resin once a year or after any rainfall if you do not want to use sealant.
- Use a fence cleaner to keep your fence clean. A pressure washer can remove dirt, mold and mildew from your wooden privacy fence. Make sure that you do not let it get too close though because the force of the water could damage the wood.
With these tips, you will be able to easily care for your wooden privacy fence so that it looks great for years to come. Your home and garden will look even better with a professionally maintained wooden privacy fence surrounding them.
What should you use to protect a wooden fence?
A wooden privacy fence is an excellent way to add a touch of curb appeal to your home. However, over time, these fences can weather and be damaged by bugs and water, which could diminish their appearance. The key to keeping your wooden fence looking beautiful and sturdy is regular maintenance.
Wooden privacy fences need three things: protection from rotting, fading, and insects; good air circulation; and care with rising damp from the ground. Let’s take a look at these three things and the ways that homeowners can protect their fences.
Wood fence protection from rotting
The wood of your fence is susceptible to rotting, especially when it gets wet. The rot eats away at the wood fibers and makes the fence weak and unsafe. If left unchecked, rot can even cause floors and walls to crack. To prevent this from happening, you need to regularly repair your fence. You should also make sure that it is properly ventilated since wood loves air circulation.
To repair rotten areas of your fence, you can use a dry spray to remove damp and rot from the wood. If the damage is more severe, you may need to replace areas of your fence.
It is also essential that you keep standing water away from your fence. Any standing water can cause your fence to deteriorate rapidly. The best way to do this is to make sure that all gutters are draining properly and free of debris so rainwater will flow off instead of sitting on your fence.
Wood fence protection from fading
As your fence ages, it can begin to fade due to exposure to the sun. In order to prevent this, you should seal your fence with a penetrating sealer which will help protect the wood by coating it in a clear layer that acts as a barrier against oxygen exposure. This will make your fence color last longer and look more vibrant.
You should also regularly wash your fence so that grime and dirt don’t build up. Regular scrubbing can dramatically diminish the natural color of your fence, so you should make sure to do this regularly.
Wooden privacy fence care from rising damp
Rising damp occurs when water collects in potholes and cracks in the ground underneath your fence. Since wood loves air, it thrives in these environments, so if you allow it to sit there long enough, it could lead to rot which can crack and weaken your fence.
To prevent this from happening, you should seal the ground underneath your fence. You can do this by mixing a waterproof sealant with grout and filling the cracks. This will protect the wood and prevent moisture from building up in these areas.
Wood fence care from insects
When it comes to wooden privacy fences, insects are a major problem because they can bite through your fence’s surface. This can damage your fence and make it much weaker than it was when you first installed it. This is why it is so important to regularly clean your fence.
You should also make sure that you never paint over insects because this can prevent the bugs from chewing through the coating and weakening your fence.
Wood fence care from debris
There are hundreds of materials that can be used in a wooden privacy fence, which means that they are strong, durable and beautiful. However, they can become quickly damaged by debris. This may seem like an odd concern, but any small scraps of wood, glass, or metal that get lodged in the fence can destroy it.
Over time, these types of materials can make your fence weak and highly susceptible to attack by insects. If you notice that a lot of this type of debris is building up next to your fence, you should find a way to properly contain it there. This could be as simple as adding a few large stones to the area so the debris can’t blow around and destroy your fence.
Outline:
The basic principles behind any good maintenance regimen include
making small incremental changes throughout the year: boosting the services you give your home, rather than buying major replacements.Make a list of all the things you do that make your home look good: landscaping, paint, flowers, and patio furniture.Think of a way to strengthen your investment in each area. Think about what you like about your current fence and what could make it better.These tips are general; don’t let this be the only resource you use in your search for ways to maintain your fence or wall.