Whether you have just invested in a nice new wooden fence, or you are hoping to give your existing one a little bit of tender loving care in an attempt to extend its life, there are some things that you can do to care for your fence so that it continues to look good and protect you and your family for years to come. Here’s how to increase the lifespan of your fence.
Annual inspections
At Trust a Trader we always say that, when it comes to home maintenance, prevention is much better than cure. This means that, in general terms, small actions taken to prevent the deterioration of your property can save a significant amount of time and money further down the line. We tend to write an annual blog towards the end of summer to remind you to check the exterior of your property before the autumnal/wintry storms take a hold, but it is a good idea to check your fence over at least annually. Walk the perimeter and look for signs of rot or damage. Give your fence a wobble at the posts to see if they are still holding firm or if there could be rot below ground level. Check the connections; are any screws, hinges or nails loose or damaged?
Keep it clean
Dirt and debris don’t look great, but its biggest risk is that it may hold moisture. If your fence is looking mossy or grey, give it a good clean. Gently scrape moss or paint flecks away until you can see the wood again; for mould, a spray of 1:4 bleach to detergent sprayed and left for an hour before you wash the fence down can help to kill spores. When washing your fencing, careful not to saturate it; even pressure treated wood is still slightly porous.
Reseal, repair, repaint
It is not always a good idea to paint or treat your fence in the first year as the treatment could permeate into the wood, weakening it. If you are in doubt, check with the fence panel provider or fence specialist to ask the best way to extend its life and keep it looking great. Once your fence is installed, you should aim to reseal it or repaint it every 3-5 years. This will depend on where you live and the stressors the fence is under (if you have a lot of rain, high temperatures, or live on the coast, you may need to do it more often). Choose a high quality stain or paint to keep moisture out, prevent rot, and protect your fence from the elements. If you are in doubt about what to do, contact a fence specialist, gardener or handyman for professional, friendly advice.
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