Restaining or resealing your wood fence is a good way to protect it.
A typical wood fence tends to last for up to 15 years, but with the proper maintenance, your wood fence can last for 20 years or more! Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your wood fence.
New Wood Fence
When you first decide to install a wood fence, you may want to choose redwood or cedar as the wood that the fence will be made of. This is because these types of woods are more resistant to rot than other species.
Even if you decide on a different type of wood, there are still several things you can do to prolong the life of any wood fence. You can use pressure-treated wood for the fence posts, since they will make direct contact with dirt and insects and are treated to be resistant.
After installation, wait about a year before you stain or paint your fence. This allows the chemicals of the pressure-treated wood to dry out. Staining or painting before the fence is dry can seal in moisture, leading to rot and decay.
Inspect and Repair Your Fence Each Year
It’s a good rule of thumb to do a yearly inspection of your fence. Walk around the perimeter of your fence and look for broken boards, loose nails, damage, or rot. Make sure that none of the fence posts are wobbly and that the gate opens and closes correctly.
While pressure-treated wood is resistant to moisture, it is not completely impervious. If there is anything you can do to minimize your fence’s exposure to water, it will help you to get the most out of your wood fence. For example, you can make sure that your sprinklers don’t hit your wood fence. This minimizes the chances of rot or the growth of moss.
Clean and Reseal
To get the most out of your wood fence, you should clean it every 2 to 3 years. If there’s mold on your fence, you can wash the fence with a mixture of 20% bleach to 80% mild detergent. Spray this mixture on the fence an hour before washing it. When it’s time to wash the fence, you can remove dirt, moss, and mildew with a scrub brush and soapy water. Then, you can use a power washer to remove any peeling paint. Every 3 to 5 years, you should repaint or restain your fence. Make sure that you’ve waited a week without rain so that you don’t end up sealing in any moisture. Using exterior oil-based stain or latex paint helps to seal out moisture, prevent wood rot, and limit weathering. If you can choose a sealant or stain with UV inhibitors, this will prevent the wood from graying. This consistent care can help you to extend the life of your beautiful wood fence!
Hercules Fence Can Help Make Sure Your Iron Fence Is Ready for Winter
Ready to give your fence a new look? Hercules Fence has extensive experience in repairing and constructing fences made out of any and every material. Our experienced team can help meet your fencing needs, whether they’re residential or commercial, for the right price. Give us a call at 757-316-3600 or visit us online. To see examples of our work and keep in touch, don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, Flickr, and Pinterest.
