Fences made of wood may be both attractive and practical. They can provide a stylish touch to your property, with all the options in terms of designs and hues. Keeping your wooden fence in top form is difficult, to say the least! So, what’s the best way to preserve a wood fence? There are a variety of measures you can take to safeguard and maintain your wooden fence.
Maintenance: How Can I Make My Wooden Fence Last Longer?
Like several other materials, wood fences need upkeep. If you’re searching for a fence that doesn’t need much upkeep, vinyl or chain-link fence might be the way to go. However, if you already have a wood fence and want to make the most of it, regular maintenance is critical.
To keep a wood fence in good working order, you must begin by keeping it clean. Keeping dirt and dust off of naturally finished woods allows the wood to “breathe”. To prevent your fence from rotting and molding, you’ll want to schedule regular power washes at a pressure of 1,500 to 2,000 psi. This will remove months of weathering from the fence and protect it from decay and fungus.
If you powerwash your wood fence, keep the pressure low. However, if you use a more powerful machine, be careful. When using a single-edged razor or another similar tool, this will certainly cause gauge development. Choose a 25- and 15-degree tip to minimize gouging the wood. Although the 25-degree angle is suggested for general cleaning, the 15-degree point is useful for addressing difficult or hard-to-reach locations.
Your fence may also require some light sanding. Examine your fence for rough patches or rotted wood after your annual power wash. Sandpaper is used on rough surfaces to make them smoother. This is also an opportunity to replace nails that have fallen out. To prevent the fence from rotting, use aluminum or stainless steel nails or screws that won’t rust and color the fence.
Does a Wood Fence Need to Be Sealed?
The next stage in preserving your wood fence is to fill and seal it. Mold spores and rot can grow if you fail to repair significant holes in your wood fence. Fill in those gaps with epoxy, which will keep your fence secure.
First, clean the fractured area with a wood-safe cleanser. Next, prepare the epoxy as directed on the box and apply it to the fissures. Finally, allow the epoxy to cure as directed in the product directions. Apply the epoxy on a sunny day to ensure that the mixture has adequate time to set and cure.
Wood fence is a living material, therefore it contains numerous microorganisms, oils, and moisture levels that must be brought to the surface in order to prevent decay. You’re denying them of this need by coating the planks of wood with a transparent sealant. Because it will keep the wood from “breathing,” a clear-sealed fence will decay far more quickly than a well-treated and maintained one.
You need to keep your wooden fence safe from UV rays without the danger of deterioration. As a result, think about using a breathable, waterproof exterior paint on it. You can also apply a water-repellent preservative or sealer to the wood, which will help protect it against rain and dampness. Concentrate on the fence’s joints and lower portions.
After you’ve stained or painted your fence, it’s time to do so. Use an outdoor-friendly stain or paint that contains a water-resistant or preservative chemical. As a result, you won’t have to use a distinct water-repellent solution. In fact, staining wood will make your fence seem better while also aiding in its resistance to the elements.
Always begin staining on the lighter side when necessary. You may always decide to darken the region with several, thinly applied applications. Wood fences should be stained every five years, and sealers should be used every two to three years, according to the rule of thumb.
Preventing Damage
PESTS
Termites, sometimes known as white ants, are a type of wood destroying insect that can eat away at and destroy a fence made from hardwood. Softwoods such as redwood, pine, fir, and cedar are all highly prone to termite infestation. Unfortunately, those are the most common woods used for fences. Termites may be eliminated by a professional company; however, you can also treat your fence with borax, which is a natural insecticide.
How To Protect Fence From Rotting?
Like any other maintenance operation, the best approach to avoid damage is to prevent it in the first place. Rain and snow cannot be prevented from soaking your fence, but you may keep moisture out of it by sealing the wood. As a result, have your fence painted with a sealant when it’s initially erected. You should re-stain the fence as needed.
Finally, keep plant life away from your fence. You should never train plants to grow on your wood fence because it creates damp areas. Furthermore, landscaping should not be planted directly against the fence.
If your fence is prone to decay, consider treating it with borate. Borate is a fungicide that’s safe for humans and animals to use and may be sprayed directly on the wood.
If your fence is infested with rot, you may prevent its spread by replacing the damaged portions. It’s probable that you’ll be replacing the main poles of your fence. This is where decay frequently begins since your fence posts contact the ground.
It’s critical to repair fence planks and posts if they begin to rot, since rot may quickly spread.
The best protection against rot gives your entire fence a complete clean and a fresh coat of stain!
How To Protect Wood Fence From Weather
If you’ve decided to install a wood fence and want to keep it, consider longevity options. What wood fence is the most durable? Cedar fences are generally the longest-lasting. They can generally survive for 15 to 30 years if properly maintained. Cedar is naturally insect- and rot-resistant, making it more long-lasting. Cedar fences can last up to 40 years if treated.
However, if you want to have the look of a wood fence without having to maintain it, consider using vinyl fencing. Vinyl fences can last 30 years or more with little maintenance required. Vinyl fences are immune to warping, decay, and shrinkage over time, unlike wood.
Whether you’re building a new wood fence or caring for one that already exists on your property, the secret to a long-lasting fence is frequent inspections, upkeep, and minor repairs and replacements as needed. Follow these guidelines to keep your wood fence looking great for many years!
