How to Maintain Your Fence

How Fence Maintenance Works

Wood fences can really make your property look great. Not only do they provide beautiful aesthetics but they are also good for improving security. Fences made out of wood are made to last about 10 years if left alone, but their life can be extended up to 20 years with proper maintenance.

In order to find a great fence that will make sense for you, it’s important to consider several factors. You want to pick the right kind of wood as well as style for your fence and then you need to make sure that you maintain it properly over the years to get the best value out of the fence possible.

Considerations For A New Fence

A new fence is a great investment in the value of your home and security of your family. You want to make sure that you are getting the appropriate one for your yard so that you get the most out of it. The life of a fence has two factors, the proper techniques used during installation, and the appropriate maintenance by the home owner. With this in mind, here are a few ways to extend the life of a fence.

PRESSURE-TREATED FENCES

Pressure-treated fence posts gain protection against termites and fungal decay, and thus generally have a longer life than non pressure treated fences. These types of fences age more gracefully and are very easily stainable and sealable. This is a recommended option when it comes to wood fences, since it has all these benefits, and is made with a strong pine species that is long lasting and durable.

WAIT TO STAIN THE FENCE

When you get a new fence it’s good to wait between 1 and 6 months depending on the wood type to stain or paint it. This will protect the wood for a much longer time and let it dry completely. If there is moisture on the wood and it’s treated, it can cause dry rot. Since this will wear the fence out quicker, you should definitely make sure that you wait some time before you stain or paint it.

TYPE OF WOOD

There are many types of wood to choose from, but if your top priority is durability consider getting redwood or western red cedar. Both of these types of wood last long and are very durable. They also look good so that you will have great curbside appeal and enjoy spending time in your yard. There are a variety of other types of wood that also work well and stand up in different types of climates, so feel free to check out our article on different types of wood for fences to learn more.

How to Maintain Your Fence for the Long Term

With the proper fence maintenance, you can look forward to your fence lasting up to 20 years. As mentioned previously, a wood fence is one of the most popular types used for good looks as well as hardy security. Here are several things that you’ll want to stay on top of in order to get the most out of your wood fence.

INSPECT YoUR FENCE ATLEAST ONCE EVERY YEAR

Just a basic walk around the fence to check for any damage, rot, termites, or other pests that can be a detriment to fences is something you should do at least one time a year. If anything needs to be repaired or fixed, it’s important to get on it to prevent any further deterioration. Hammer in loose nails or replace any damaged planks from a storm or bad weather. Make it a point to look for chipped paint and other problems with the fence, and redcoat or restain the wood as you see fit. You want to do this every year to ensure the long life of the fence.

CLEAN THE FENCE EVERY 3 TO 5 YEARS

Make sure that you clean your fence every 3 to 5 years to keep away fungus growth, or plants who may start wrapping around the planks. You also want to get rid of all of the mildew, dirt, and moss. If you need to repair the fence, make sure that you scrape off any paint that is chipping or molding. You will then want to kill the mold spores, and re-paint and stain to keep them away.

PAINT OR RESEAL AFTER YOU CLEAN THE FENCE

Latex pain or oil based sealant for fences Is what you want to do after cleaning a fence for maintenance. This will elongate the life of the wood and protect it for a longer period to keep that life extension going. It’s also perfect protection against the weather, which is a constant threat to your fences durability.

How Long Do Wood Fences Last?

You can expect a new wood fence to last maybe 10 years without maintenance naturally. When it is properly maintained it can last up to 20 years or more. With the proper wood treatment, you will be able to get a lot of use out of your fence in the life of your home. When you invest in a wood fence, you want to make sure that you are doing what you can in order to keep it looking great for a long time to come.

Chamblee Fence Company

Being in the fence industry since 1959, Chamblee Fence Company has a proven track record for professionalism and quality. Based in Georgia for the life of our company, we install many types of fences and style, including wood, steel, aluminum, and vinyl.

Make sure that you do the proper maintenance on your new wood fence so that it will last for up to and maybe more than 20 years. You will get the best results when you take the time to understand the reasoning behind the maintenance and do it regularly.