Your garden fence is one of the first things people see when they look at the outside of your property – so ensuring it remains well-cared for is crucial. However, fences – particularly wooden fences – are often vulnerable to outdoor elements.
To help, we have gathered five essential wooden fence maintenance tips to help avoid or delay costly repairs and replacements.
Regular Repainting
Regular repainting, every two years or so, can make a big difference to the long-term condition of your wooden fencing. Applying a sealer or water repellent paint is also highly recommended and can help avoid water damage and warping.
Regular Cleaning and Inspection
Alongside repainting, cleaning and inspecting are regular wooden fence maintenance tips essential for caring for your fence.
To clean, apply a gentle cleanser fluid and rub with a cloth to remove dirt, while for trickier, stuck-on debris, a soft brush will make the job easier. A thorough clean will help avoid mould or mildew build-up while also ensuring your fence continues to look its best.
Avoiding Damp from Sprinklers
If you have sprinklers in your garden, ensuring they avoid your garden fence is crucial. Damp caused by sprinklers is a leading cause of water damage and can often be easily avoided.
Applying Sealant
Applying a specialist sealant to your wooden fence can help combat the damaging effects of the outdoors, such as rain and sunlight exposure.
A regular application of sealant every two years or so is highly recommended and when combined with repainting, can go a long way to increasing the lifespan of your fence.
Keeping Adjacent Shrubbery Under Control
Ensuring adjacent shrubbery, such as vines, are kept away from wooden fences is a real help in maintaining a good condition. Shrubbery often harbours insects and is typically moist, making them a prime cause of undue damage to your garden fence.
While it is not always possible to keep your fence and shrubbery a safe distance apart, ensuring they are at least not touching with regular pruning can make a big difference.
We hope our wooden fence maintenance tips have provided you with several ideas for keeping your garden fence looking its best. However, we understand that even the most well-maintained fencing can still be overcome by the outdoor elements over time.
So, if you require the assistance of a professional, be sure to give us a call at South Surrey Fencing, your local fence repair specialists. We carefully assess any damage and repair or replace your wooden fencing as necessary.