How To Ensure Your Wood Fence Lasts: Tips From Experienced Builders
Maintenance is vital to keeping your wood fence in the best shape for a long time. Proper maintenance makes your fence visually appealing and enables you to avoid frequent spending on repairs. The only concern is that you might be using the wrong approach.
Without the right information and approach, your efforts may not yield positive results. In the worst cases, you might be causing damage to your fence.
To maintain your wood fence effectively, you need all the professional advice you can get. Fortunately, this guide uncovers the secrets to a well-maintained fence expert have used for decades.
Here are 8 helpful tips from experienced fence and deck builders to ensure your wood fence lasts.
1. Choose High-Quality Materials
One of the determining factors of a lasting fence is the wood quality. So, when getting wood for the fence, prioritize quality. Look out for quality signs, such as the wood density and texture. Denser woods are typically strong, while woods with a smooth surface without splinters have the best texture. Also, look for a consistent grain pattern with a smooth finish.
Besides the “nice to haves,” there are also certain things to avoid when shopping for quality wood. Stay away from woods with significant splits or twisting, as these types have little structural integrity.
Finally, ensure that the wood is sourced from credible and certified vendors. Top-quality wood from verified merchants usually comes with an FSC certification, which confirms that the wood comes from ethical practices.
2. Work with the Best Builders
Environmental factors and wood quality can prevent your fence from lasting long, but that’s not all. In some cases, the builders may be at fault. The lack of experience, professionalism, and skillset may lead to mistakes and inconsistencies that diminish your fence. Hiring experienced builders can make a major difference in how your fence turns out.
Experienced wood fence builders excel in virtually all areas where inexperienced builders fail. Their expertise can help you create a fence, whether wood or a residential aluminum privacy fence, with an aesthetic appeal that lasts long. They can help you source high-quality woods, complete the building from start to finish, and give you maintenance tips. Their contributions to your fence’s durability can help you save money on frequent repairs.
3. Clean Regularly
Dirt plays a role in the longevity of wood. It gradually forms a buildup of impurities that cause damage with time. That’s why you must regularly clean your fence to avoid issues.
Remove visible dirt like plastic wraps, gums, or sticky objects stuck to your fence. Also, look out for stains that might seem harmless initially but can cause damage. You may use a mild cleanser and water to wash dirt off your fence. Not only does regular cleaning prevent damage, but it also adds to the aesthetic appeal of your fence.
4. Apply Paint or Sealant
When you work with experienced builders, you notice they emphasize painting the fence. Fence painting adds a finishing touch to the construction, giving it a pleasant look. More importantly, it is a protective strategy for your fence’s longevity. Wood deteriorates gradually under UV rays and excessive moisture.
To ensure your fence lasts long, painting is non-negotiable. Applying sealants and stains helps to protect the wood from moisture and UV ray exposure. However, you must follow a systematic and informed approach to painting your wood fence.
Wood typically retains moisture even when in the storage facility or warehouse. So, upon installing the fence, the wood still contains moisture. Therefore, you must wait a few weeks for the wood fence to expel moisture before painting. After the initial painting, you only need to repaint once in a few years to restore protection to the fence.
5. Move Sprinklers Away from the Fence
Besides wood fences, a lawn adds to the beauty of your home. To keep the lawn in the best shape, irrigation is key. However, you must be careful when using sprinklers on your lawn or flowers to avoid wetting your fence.
Moisture gradually damages wood fences, and using a sprinkler can speed up the damage. So, to avoid wetting your wood fence, move your sprinklers away from the fence. Also, avoid sprinkling water on it when manually watering your flowers or lawn with a hose.
6. Remove Weeds
Weeds and other flowering plants can damage your wood fence if they grow too close to it. To avoid damage, look for obvious plant invasion on your wood fence. Sometimes, the weed invasion is so apparent that you can see plants wrapped around your fence from a distance.
Plants can cause damage to your fence without growing on them. They absorb and release moisture, including your fence, into the air and surroundings. Also, being near your fence makes it difficult to trim grasses or flowers without damaging them. So, plant your flowers away from your fence and consider removing weeds by hand.
7. Regular Inspections
To make sure your fence lasts, you must take proactive measures. One way to prevent future issues with your fence is to conduct regular inspections. Regular inspections can help you determine the physical state of your fence. That way, you can detect minor issues before they become major problems that may damage your fence.
For instance, you can discover signs of loose board pieces or nails and rotting parts through inspections. These issues can damage your fence in the long run and cause injuries or accidents.
So, be thorough when conducting your routine checks. Slightly push or pull the boards to make sure they are not loose. If your fence is in good condition, you may only need to inspect it once or twice a year.
8. Correct Minor Errors Immediately
Inspecting your fence should be followed by action. When you detect minor errors, correct them immediately. For instance, if you find weeds wrapped around your fence, remove them at once. Look for their roots and take them out by hand.
Likewise, if you sense a loose board, mend it with your garage tools. These minor fixes can keep your fence in the best shape for a long time. However, handle only minor repairs and leave the major ones to the experts.
Takeaway
Maintaining a long-lasting and appealing wood fence is easier than you think. You only need to take expert advice from seasoned builders.
Every experienced fence builder will emphasize choosing top-quality wood, regular cleaning, and applying sealants to your fence. These small details can make a significant difference in the longevity and functionality of your wood fence.
If these maintenance tips seem too intense or you don’t have time, contact experienced fence and deck builders today.
