The Best Ways for Protecting Your Wooden Fence from Damage
Wooden fences tend to enhance the value and beauty of a property significantly, but they’re also prone to damage. A damaged wooden fence doesn’t have the same charm and appeal, which is why it is imperative that you come up with ways to protect your wooden fence. If you’re looking for a classic and beautiful way to mark the boundary of your property, you can’t go wrong with wooden fences. They not only help keep unauthorized parties off your property but also enhance its value. If you’re looking to repair or revitalize a wooden fence, you may wish to use the services of a fencing company like this – https://fusionfencecompany.com/.
A lot of people consider wooden fences a great choice for fencing, but these fences are extremely vulnerable to extreme weather conditions and other types of damage. So, if you’re looking for tips on wooden fence protection, here is what you need to do:
1. Purchase a High-Quality Wooden Fence
You need a wooden fence built from high-quality materials if you want it to remain in the best possible condition. Redwood and cedar, like the cedar products available at G&B Quality Cedar Products, are the best fencing materials since they’re resistant to rot and decay. You should ensure you’re using pressure-treated wood if you’re working with a fence contractor, which means getting wood that is resistant to bugs, water damage, wet rot, and dry rot.
You can also improve the durability of your fence by selecting materials made from stainless and galvanized steel. This will ensure that your wooden fence structure lasts for a long time.
2. Stick to Fencing Regulations
Each state or city has its own unique fencing regulations, which must be followed by property owners. The rules will dictate the type of materials that can be used and the height limit of the fence. If you’re unsure about policies applied in your area, you should check with the local authorities so that you’re following the right procedures and law. You should always confirm whether the fencing material you purchased meets the rules and regulations of your community.
3. Don’t Put Fence Posts in the Soil
Fence posts will become susceptible to decay if they are mounted directly into the soil since there is going to be moisture in there that can cause wooden surfaces to decay. Along with that, the ground may start to move around due to irrigation or erosion, and if you’re digging the garden, ensure that the holes are filled with concrete before you mount the posts. Some people use concrete for the fencing as well as making a garden path, completing 2 jobs in a row. If you’re using the same concrete to secure the posts and make a garden path, use a cement sealant to make it last as long as possible.
4. Keep the Fence Clear from Plants
A lot of property owners like to beautify their fence lines by planting flowers or bushes along with them. It’s not a good idea because the moisture will be introduced to the wood through the plants and it will cause the wood to rot. To ensure that the wood doesn’t rot, you should always trim the plants and grass around the fencing structure.
You can also prevent water damage by installing a plastic tarp over the plants, which are growing near the fence, as it will prevent moisture from reaching the fence.
5. Regularly Clean the Fence
You should power wash the fence regularly to ensure it remains clean. If you are after getting the best pressure washers for your home, then you need to make sure the power washer has about 15 to 25 different spray tips, and you should stand a fair distance away when power washing the fence. I recommend looking for a hot water pressure washer for sale, as they do an amazing job at cleaning due to the fact that they are the most efficient, effective, durable, and reliable cleaning equipment on the market.
Once you’ve power washed the fence, you should let the panels dry up completely to ensure that it’s completely clean. If you don’t have a power washer or are afraid you’ll damage the fencing if you do it yourself, you can always enlist the services of Sugar Land power washers. If you have a large area to clean, you might want to use a professional service anyway so that the job can be completed in a timely fashion.
6. Stain or Seal the Fence
You can extend the life of your wooden fence by staining, which will protect it from the elements and prevent any chance of rotting. You should use a water-repellant sealant to ensure the wood doesn’t get damaged by rain or moisture, and you can mix the sealant with exterior stains to protect and color the fence. You should seal or stain the fence every two to three years, depending on the climatic conditions of the area you’re living in.
7. Examine the Fence for Damages Regularly
Always be vigilant when it comes to checking the fence for damaged areas and missing boards. You should walk around the perimeter of the property and check for unusual spots and marks on the wood and focus on areas that are close to the ground. Make it a point to check the fence on a weekly basis, and look at the nails and edges, and if you notice any damage, you should get it repaired immediately.
8. Don’t Weight Down the Fence
Your fence is going to last longer if it has fewer materials on top of it. So, even if you want to decorate your fencing structure, you should keep them at minimal, since the additional weight may damage the fence. If you’re using lightweight decorations you should ensure that no water is trapped, and the poles are free from all debris, since that may lead to decay.
9. Carry Out Repairs Quickly
Cracks or small breaks can weaken the foundations of a wooden fence, especially if you don’t repair them quickly. Leaving the fence in a damaged condition will lead to the cracks developing into larger crevices, which will let more rainwater into the wood. If you notice signs of stain or peeling paint, think about repainting or resealing the wood. The repairs won’t cost you much when you compare it with the cost of acquiring a completely new fencing structure.
10. Hire Experts for Frequent Inspections
Even though you can easily check for signs of damage or decay on your fence by yourself, getting an expert to do the job for you, means better results. They will not only inspect the fencing posts thoroughly but will provide a detailed report for their findings. When you’re hiring a specialist, you should ensure that you’re hiring from a well-known and reputable organization so that quality of service is guaranteed.
11. Keep Water Sprinklers Away from the Fence
Water sprinklers are great for keeping the lawn vibrant, but they will wet your fence continuously as well. Therefore, you should keep them away from your fence, to prevent water damage. You should set the sprinklers to release water in a manner that doesn’t spray it on the fence. If you want to clean or wash your fence, it’s advised that you lay down plastic coverings to prevent water from getting to the ground and into the base of the fence.
