3 Steps to A Renewed Fence

A wood fence can be a beautiful addition to your home’s exterior, providing privacy for your outdoor living area and protection from unwanted animals or people. But just like any other wood surface, it requires care and maintenance to continue providing privacy and protection. Here are some tips for the care and maintenance of your home’s wood fence, from the home maintenance experts at Handyman Connection.

1. Cleaning the Fence – Rinse the wood fence off with a power washer. A power washer will effectively remove any loose dirt and debris from the fence. Spray the fence from the top to the bottom and work your way around the fence. Keep the tip of the power washer at least 18 in/46 cm away from the wood to prevent splintering. Mix a solution of 1 part bleach and 2 parts warm water. This is a very common mix to use when cleaning wood fences. Apply the cleaning solution to the fence with a household garden sprayer and allow it to soak in until you notice that the wood is becoming brighter. Then rinse the fence off with a power washer, making sure the power washer is on the widest spray setting. Allow the fence to dry thoroughly after cleaning.
2. Repairing the Fence – Inspect the fence for any loose or damaged boards. Repair or replace as needed. If you have nails that have popped up, it’s time to countersink those. Inspect the base of your posts and apply a coat of wood preservative to them, as these are the first areas to experience rot.
3. Sealing the Fence – To preserve the natural color of the wood, use an exterior semi transparent oil stain. It seals the wood while allowing the grain and color variations to show through. Make sure the stain contains UV inhibitors, which will slow down bleaching by sunlight, and a mildewcide to slow fungal growth. Look for samples on cedar at the paint store, or bring in your own piece of wood to test. A test sample is the best way to ensure a satisfactory result. Before applying the stain, be sure the fence is dry. Allow at least 24 hours. If it’s cool and humid, allow another 24 hours. Using a paint roller with a “medium nap”, apply a soaking coat of sealer to the wood. Let the wood absorb as much sealer as it can. Roll a small section of fence and then work the sealer into the wood using a brush. If the wood still appears dry, roll on additional sealer. Work the sealer into all recesses and corners. Coat detailed areas with a trim roller and smaller brush. Most semi transparent oil stains are guaranteed to last two to five years. Fences face severe weathering, so expect the finish to last no more than three years. Plan on recoating the fence within this time frame to keep your fence looking fresh. Before recoating, wash the fence with a garden hose sprayer and use a bristle brush on stubborn dirt deposits and stains. Let the fence dry and stain it using the same method.

Want to reduce these tasks down to just one simple step? Call the home maintenance professionals at Handyman Connection! We provide fence installation and repair services that will exceed your expectations. Our work is performed by experienced and dedicated fence handymen who will walk you through every step of the process for a simple and seamless experience. Our goal is your complete satisfaction. Call us today at 1-800-88-HANDY or click here to request a free, no-obligation project estimate!