Have you noticed that your once beautiful fence is slowly deteriorating? Maintaining your wood fence is one of the best ways to protect it and keep it looking beautiful, but we know that it can be hard to find a comprehensive guide to wood fence maintenance. The experts at Mr. Fence are here to give you our best tips and tricks for making wood fence maintenance a breeze!
# 1 – Inspect Your Indiana Wood Fence
Before you can perform any actual maintenance on your wood fence, you need to inspect your wood fence for any signs of damage, wear, and tear! Wood fence maintenance isn’t a one-size-fits-all scenario, and tailoring your Indiana residential fencing maintenance program to your fence will yield the best results.
To get started, walk your fence line and take a thorough look at both sides of your fence, noting any damage that you may find. The Indiana winter weather can be quite tough on a wood fence, so spring is a good time to check for damaged boards or posts, peeling, chipping, rotting, damaged paint, or damaged hardware.
Use this time to make sure that the fence boards and posts are still well secured. Gently shake the posts to ensure they have not come loose, and pull the boards to make sure they are still well secured to the rails. Additionally, check that your gates are still closing properly, that the latches are tight, and that everything is working correctly.
# 2 – Start Fencing Repairs
While you are inspecting your fence, be sure to take notes of any broken or split boards or signs of rot. Taking care of any small repairs in a timely manner will prevent them from becoming bigger problems down the road. Individual boards that have cracked, warped, or rotted can easily be replaced with minimal effort and cost.
In many cases, wood fence repair is a do-it-yourself project. Wood boards and rails can be easily replaced. However, if you have large sections of your fence that are breaking down, rotting, and falling over, you may need to consult the Indiana residential fencing at Mr. Fence.
# 3 – Treat Stains or Dirt
Wood fences are the most susceptible to grime buildup, so routinely check for dirt, mold, mildew, or other stains. Quickly resolving these issues will keep them from spreading to other parts of your fence and becoming a more difficult problem. It’s easier to take care of these stains when they are small and manageable, so frequently check your fence and immediately clean any spots you may find.
Light dirt, grime, and mildew can usually be removed by spraying your fence with a hose. For areas that have heavy debris like moss or mud, use a brush with a gentle cleanser to restore your fence to its original state. In some situations, using a pressure washer is also an effective way to remove buildup. However, do not use anything higher than 1500-2000 PSI on wood fences, and use an angular tip to fan out the water spray to avoid damaging your fence.
# 4 – Clean Up Your Landscaping
Even if your fence is well-maintained and attractive, overgrown landscaping can take the focus away from your fence and lead to further issues down the line. Trim bushes and shrubs to create spaces where air can flow to reduce the changes of mild and mildew growth. Pay special attention to any overhanging tree limbs or damaged branches, and trim them as they potentially may break and fall on your fence.
# 5 – Paint or Stain Your Indiana Wood Fence
Carefully evaluate the condition of your fence’s stain or paint. In general, your fence will need to be restained or repainted every two to three years. If needed, be sure to recoat your fence to protect it and keep it looking new.
One of the best ways to get a head start on maintaining your wood fence is to choose a pre-stained wood fence. Pre-stained fences have a high-quality stain applied in a controlled environment by our professionals prior to installation. Not only does this mean your fence is protected from the elements on day one, but it also means that the stain is evenly applied across all parts of the fence and has been given adequate time to dry.
Indiana Residential Fencing is Made Easy with Mr. Fence!
Proper maintenance is crucial for preserving the beauty and longevity of your wood fence. By following these simple yet effective maintenance tips, you can ensure that your wood fence remains sturdy, attractive, and a source of pride for years to come. To see some of our beautiful completed wood fence projects, check out our Pinterest profile!
Choose the Top-Rated Indiana Wood Fence Company
The team at Mr. Fence has you covered for all of your fencing needs in Evansville, Indiana! To talk to one of our friendly team members, reach out to us using our online contact form or give us a call at (812) 425-3550, and let Team Blue make your fence dreams come true!
