Maintenance & Cleaning
Every year or so, walk along your fence line and give it a good inspection:
- Check pickets for loose nails and hammer them back in or replace them.
- Look for rotting or broken pickets that need to be changed. (One of the great advantages of a wood fence is that individual pickets or panels can often be replaced as a DIY project.)
- Look for insect damage.
- Make sure bushes and vines are clear of the fence. (This keeps less weight on the fence and keeps moisture away.)
- Make sure posts are securely in the ground and ground soil has not washed away.
To keep your fence looking good and free of mildew, clean your fence once a year:
- Soak the wood with either a specially-formulated fence/deck cleaner or soap and water.
- Scrub with a long-handled brush or use a pressure washer rated 1500-200 psi.
- Be sure to clean where the fence meets the ground.
When water no longer beads up on your fence but soaks in instead (about 2-5 years after sealing), it’s time to paint, re-stain or re-seal:
- After cleaning your fence, allow it to completely dry.
- Re-stain, paint or re-seal with a roller or brush.
Preventive Maintenance:
- Don’t water your wood fence! Water from sprinklers will discolor the wood and extra moisture will increase chances of rotting. Aim sprinklers away from your fence.
- Keep bushes trimmed back and keep vines away. The extra weight of bushes on your fence will cause stress issues and vines can attract insects and moisture.
Even if your wood fence is old and gray, you can help it come to life again:
- Use a power washer to remove the “old skin.” (Make sure the pressure washer is rated 1500-2000 psi and use a fan spray.)
- Allow the fence to completely dry.
- Next apply an exterior wood oil stain to preserve the new layer.
Cleaning:
Be aware that power washing is a science. If done incorrectly, it can lead to costly damage. If power washing is needed, then always get a professional who can warranty the work and provide insurance. If there are any damages, then their insurance should pay for the cost to replace. Always inspect the work after its complete, before issuing final payment.
fence cleaning