The Importance of Fence Maintenance

A fence is built for life. It’s not 10 years or 20 years. It’s for a lifetime unless you want a new fence or you are moving out.

And you are responsible for its upkeep in order to serve its purpose.

Fence maintenance is something you have to do yearly being a part of your property. Outdoor implements like driveways, patios, decks, gates, garden landscapes, and fences are part of a yearly routine to check if they are still in good condition.

Here at Bristol Decking and Fencing Pro, we provide fence maintenance services. No matter how we advise homeowners on the value of maintenance, cleaning performed by professional fence fitters makes a difference.

What are the specific steps involved in fence maintenance? What fence material do you have?

• If you have wood fencing, more or less it requires staining
• If the fence is iron or wrought iron and metal finish, it needs repainting
• Iron fencing should be free from rust
• Check the fence base, whether it is wood or concrete, to keep the stability of the fence
• Removing weeds and grass and tree root undergrowth. Roots can destroy the fence foundation.

Wood staining

Fences made of wood products should be pressure treated before they are put up. You can buy pressure-treated wood beforehand so that when it’s delivered, fitters can readily build them.

The hot winds during summer are things to look out for, especially since the fence is exposed to sunlight. This will tarnish the wood surface quickly if the wood is not treated correctly. Conduct maintenance every summer to ensure that the wood is strong enough against the sun and won’t fade or crack too soon.

Staining the wood also helps prevent the material from extreme weather, such as winter and rainy days. During these months, the wood will be exposed and drenched with water and moisture and crack due to pressure. Apply a sealing compound apart from staining. It is much better if you have it painted because the paint has certain compounds that protect the wood against wear and tear.

Cleaning

Having a dirty fence will make your property like an abandoned place.

A dirty fence is an indication of a lack of regard for orderliness and aesthetics. If you have an iron fence uncleaned for years, it will be covered with rust, weeds, and all kinds of dirt harboured from sun and rain. If the base of your iron fence is concrete, it will be covered with moss.

Clean the base and the fence with soap and water and let it dry before planning to paint. Ensure that the rust has been scraped off before applying paint.

PVC fences are easy to clean. Soap and water will do. And this type of material is impervious to specific microorganism attacks, unlike wood which is much vulnerable to all kinds of damage.

However, fences made of PVC can warp to extreme weather and turn yellow with too much sun exposure.

Grass, weeds, and vines will likely cover your wood or chain link fence if they are built directly on the ground. And even when you are successful in cleaning these up and have removed the weeds entirely, cleaning should be done on a regular basis because plants will only grow back.

While your fence serves as the first line of security, it should not look shabby and abandoned. It won’t also give a good impression on how you maintain your home’s architectural and aesthetic integrity.

Repair damage

Fence damage can start with a small scratch or tiny spots of rust. Whatever type of fence is built on your property, it is essential to look out for these small messes, as they can spread if left unattended.

For an iron fence, its number one enemy is rust. Scrape the speck of rust immediately and apply a rust treatment before the rust eats away all of the iron. 

When you have no idea how to treat rust, call someone skilled in cleaning fences. Your fence installers most likely are the ones who can recommend tips on treating a rusted fence. 

For wooden fences, don’t allow any plank or slab to get rotten. Rotten wood will be eaten away slowly. Don’t wait for the time when all slabs get affected.

Conclusion

Fencing is another home investment that should be given importance as it will affect the integrity and appearance of your entire property.

If you don’t know how to take care of this costly investment, we do. 

Our experts will help you with your fencing needs. If you need skilled people and certified contractors to handle the fencing upkeep, reach out to us.

Call us anytime if you think it’s time for a cleanup.