Wood fence maintenance is the most important factor in determining how long you can enjoy your fence. Nothing beats a clean wooden fence around your property in terms of aesthetics. A strong wood fence with no cracks, warping, or flaking paint can improve curb appeal while protecting your yard from intruders.
At Latitude Fencing & Gates, we specialize in installing the best fences in Melbourne. It's a big job that will take time and effort. Our fences are built to last, but no fence can last forever. You'll have to take matters into your own hands if you want your fence to last as long as possible. You are, of course, not alone. We've compiled this handy guide covering every aspect of wood fence maintenance.
How Long Does Wooden Fence Last?
Most wood fences will last at least 20 years if properly cared for and maintained.
However, the true lifespan of your fence is determined by several factors, including the type of wood used, the climate in which you live, and the amount of exposure it receives from the elements.
If you live in an area with harsh weather or your fence is in a shady spot with little sunlight, it may not last as long as a fence built with more durable wood and exposed to direct sunlight.
How Can I Keep Wooden Fence Looking Like New?
The longer wood is exposed to the elements, the more it degrades. However, there are some things you can do to help protect your fence and keep it looking good. Maintaining your wooden fence regularly is the most effective way to keep it looking new. Quick repairs will also be beneficial.
Here are a few common issues that can arise with wooden fences over time:
For example, if pets enjoy digging, your wooden fence may become uprooted in certain areas. Pour a concrete foundation under each post to help keep it stable and looking new.
Termites can cause problems with wooden fences and other structures around your home. Regularly inspecting your fence and property can detect problems before they become too severe to treat.
Sealing your wooden fence can also protect it from termite infestations, which can cause it to age and fail quickly.
Why Do Wood Fences Require Maintenance?
Wooden fences, like most materials, require maintenance. Consider a vinyl or chain-link fence if you want a fence that requires little maintenance. However, maintenance is essential if you already have a wood fence and want to get the most out of it.
Within the first year, wooden fences, left to their own devices, may begin to split or warp. Further neglect can cause the fence to deteriorate, and it may begin to lean and sag around the fifth year.
The elements, insects, and animals can damage wooden fences. This damage can accumulate over time, giving your fence an aged and worn appearance.
Furthermore, wood is a natural material that, if not properly cared for, will shrink, warp, and rot.
5 Simple Steps to Make Your Old Wood Fence Look New Again
It is critical to perform regular maintenance on your wood fence to keep it looking its best. Depending on your wood fence type, these tasks may need to be performed once a year or more frequently.
1 - Materials
You will need the following items to begin your fence maintenance project:
A power washer
Wood cleaner
Sandpaper
Wood filler
A putty knife
Paint or stain
Paintbrush or roller
If there are some simple repairs to make, add a wrench or drill, some screws, and wood glue to the list.
A Note on Power Washers
Annual power washes with a maximum pressure of 1,500 to 2,000 psi are recommended. This will remove months of weathering from the fence while protecting it from rot and mold.
However, avoid using more powerful machines. These can scour too aggressively, resulting in gouges.
Choose between a 25-degree and a 15-degree tip. While the 25-degree point is best for general cleaning, the 15-degree point is best for problematic or difficult-to-reach areas, such as removing discoloration around the fence's latches and other hardware.
2 - Washing
The first step in preserving a wooden fence is to keep it clean. Keeping dirt and grime off naturally finished woods allows the wood to "breathe."
Use a power washer to clean your fence. Begin by sprinkling water on the fence to remove loose dirt or debris.
Then, fill the power washer with wood cleaner and scrub the fence with a brush attachment. Before proceeding to the next step, thoroughly rinse off the cleaner.
3 - Sanding
After your annual power wash, inspect the fence for rough patches or broken wood. Sandpaper can be used to smooth rough surfaces.
4 - Repairs
After cleaning your fence, you must repair any damaged boards or posts.
First, smooth out any rough edges with sandpaper. Using a putty knife, fill any holes or cracks with wood filler.
Before painting or staining, let the filler dry completely.
This is also a good time to replace any popped-out nails. Secure loose boards with additional nails or screws made of aluminum or stainless steel that will not rust and discolor the fence.
5 - Protection
Finish by applying a fresh coat of stain or paint to your fence. If you use stain, follow the manufacturer's application instructions.
We recommend using a roller or brush designed for outdoor projects when applying paint. Allow the paint or stain to dry completely before enjoying your freshly refinished fence!
Wood Fence Maintenance For New Homeowners
We've discussed tips for maintaining an existing wooden fence that's been around for a while. Still, for those who have a new fence and aren't sure how to care for it, we've got some fence maintenance tips for new homeowners that will come in handy.
A new fence owner's first question is, "Should I treat my new fence?" This is understandable. Why mess with a good thing when you have a new fence? However, if you want to keep your fence in good condition in the long run, you should first seal it with paint or stain as soon as it is installed.
If you use pressure-treated wood, you must wait 4-6 weeks to completely dry before painting or staining.
This method of treating your wood prevents water from penetrating and damaging it. The paint should last for at least 2-3 years before needing to be sanded and repainted. The stain can last for 3-5 years before needing to be reapplied.
The best way to care for a new wooden fence is to perform regular maintenance. A well-maintained fence can last more than ten years before needing to be replaced.
The Best Way to Protect Your New Wood Fence
Sealing vs. Staining
When it comes to preserving the longevity of a new wood fence, treating the wood provides the best protection from rain and sun. The two most common methods for accomplishing this are staining and sealing. What's the distinction between the two?
While preventing water absorption and rot, the sealer is transparent and shows the grain and natural color of the wood.
On the other hand, a stain has many of the same protective properties as a sealer and contains a UV-protective dye. UV protection is essential for wood because too much UV light can dry out the wood, causing it to crack and become grey over time.
How to Care for a Wooden Fence - Staining
One of the best ways to protect your wooden fence from the elements is to stain it once a year. If you live in a climate with frequent rainfall, you may need to increase this to two or three times yearly.
The stain will help protect the wood from moisture and the elements. The life of your wooden fence will be extended if there is a barrier between the wood and the elements.
A freshly stained fence not only looks good but also helps to keep your wooden fence safe.
When applying a stain treatment to your fence, ensure the wood has been thoroughly cleaned and dried. This gives your treatment the best chance to protect the wood from the elements and other potential hazards.
You must protect and care for the hinges if you have a wooden fence with gates. To oil, the hinges and locks, use wood or car grease. This will help to prevent rust and staining on the metal and wood.
Sealing - The Best Way To Keep A Fence's Natural Color
Fence stains are an excellent way to keep your wooden fence looking new and healthy in the long run. However, if you want to keep your natural color, you'll need a clear sealer. To improve the appearance of your wooden fence, you can use a fence stain that is the same or similar color.
Use a clear wood fence sealer with strong UV filters to keep the natural color and prevent fading. This will nourish the wood while also preventing long-term sun damage.
Make sure to clean your wooden fence regularly and reapply protective layers at least twice a year. If you live in an area with harsh weather, you may need to increase your applications to keep your fence's natural color.
Pressure washing your wooden fence too frequently can strip it of its protective stain and rich color. If your fence is not properly protected, it will fade and weaken over time.
What Is The Best Weather Treatment for a Wood Fence?
Numerous weather treatment options are available, and most garden centers have a large selection. In addition to traditional stains, many companies offer organic wood treatments that are better for the environment and people with pets. Each type of wood requires a unique treatment. Choose the right one for your fence type to keep your wood looking good for years.
Deck stains are an excellent choice for treating wooden fences to make them water-resistant. It also makes them more flexible; most deck stains are UV resistant.
Most applications have a lifespan of up to five years, especially if installed by a professional fencing company. Regular wood fence and deck stains must be reapplied once a year or more frequently, depending on the climate.
How to Prevent a Fence from Turning Gray
A silver wood fence is simply stunning for many homeowners. While the vintage look may appeal to some, most people prefer a more modern appearance. Grey wooden fences appear unkempt and uncared for, making the rest of your yard appear run down.
Fortunately, there are several methods for protecting your wooden fence and preserving its vibrant color. UV exposure is the primary cause of wood color loss.
Exposure to the elements is the second cause of fence greying. If you want to prevent or reduce the effects of aging on your wooden fencing, you must protect it from both the sun and Mother Nature.
Remember that there is no way to prevent your wood from greying completely. The wood dies when a plank is cut from a tree. Because dead wood cannot renew its fibers, it will eventually succumb to the ravages of time.
You can postpone the process by applying UV-resistant wood finishing products to your fence. This will help protect your fence from the elements while blocking sun damage.
Protecting your wooden fence while it is new is the best maintenance tip for new homeowners to slow wood greying. Most wood is pre-treated, but you can add extra protection by staining it or using a wood preserver.
Always determine what type of product your wooden fence has previously been treated with to make new product applications compatible.
Inspecting for Damage
Make it a monthly habit to walk the length of your fence and inspect it for damage. Examine the pickets for broken or loose pickets, tilted posts, splinters, and holes. You should also watch for loose nails, depending on how the fence was built.
One advantage of wood fences is that broken or damaged pickets are usually simple to replace. Simply hammer any loose nails back into place.
Wood Fence Maintenance - Cleaning
The basics of wood care begin with the basics. Maintain cleanliness. A little soapy water should remove dust and pollen from your fence. If you notice tougher stains, use a strong garden hose or a gentle power washer to remove them.
Keep an eye out for any stains that are green or black. Green or black stains are usually caused by mold or algae, and simple cleaning is insufficient. If the mold or algae are not killed, the stain will return.
Mold and algae, fortunately, are easy to remove. One cup of chlorine bleach in a gallon of water is usually sufficient. Replace the bleach with white vinegar for a more natural method.
Preventing Damage
Your wood fence is constantly exposed to the elements. Aside from the damage caused by extreme weather, your fence faces natural enemies such as insects and wood rot. Here are some crucial steps to significantly reduce the damage these can cause to your fence.
Pests
Termites, also known as white ants, are damaging pests that can eat through and destroy a wood fence.
Softwoods like redwood, pine, fir, and cedar are especially vulnerable to termite infestation. Unfortunately, those are the most common types of wood used for fences.
Termites can be exterminated professionally, but you can also treat your fence with borax, a natural insecticide, on your own.
Borax is also far less toxic than other insecticides.
Wood Rot
As with any maintenance task, the best course of action is to avoid damage in the first place. You can't stop rain and snow from soaking your fence, but you can keep moisture from getting in.
As a result, when your fence is first installed, have a weatherproof stain applied to it. As previously stated, you should re-stain the fence regularly.
Following that, keep plant life away from your fence. Plants should never be trained to grow on wood fences because they cause damp spots. Furthermore, your landscaping should not grow directly against the fence.
Consider treating your fence with borate if you believe it is especially prone to rot. Borate is a fungicide that is both safe for wood and safe for humans and animals so you can spray the solution directly onto the fence.
If rot appears in your fence, you can stop it from spreading by replacing the affected sections. You will almost certainly be replacing the fence's main posts. Rot often begins when your fence posts come into contact with the ground.
Because rot spreads quickly, replacing fence planks and posts at the first sign of rot is critical. When replacing rot-affected sections, the best way to prevent future outbreaks is to clean and stain the rest of your fence!
Durability
If you've decided to install a wood fence and keep it in good condition, consider durability options. Which wood fence will last the longest?
Cedar fences are the most durable. When properly maintained, they can last anywhere from 15 to 30 years. Cedar is naturally insect-resistant and rot-resistant, making it more durable. Cedar fences can last up to 40 years if properly maintained.
However, a vinyl fence is a good option if you want the look of a wood fence without the maintenance. Vinyl fencing can last for 30 years or more with little maintenance. Unlike wood, which can warp, rot, or shrink over time, vinyl fences remain virtually unchanged.
Whether installing a new wood fence or maintaining an existing one, regular inspections, maintenance, and minor repairs and replacements as needed are the keys to a long-lasting fence.
If you follow these steps to preserve a wood fence, you'll be able to enjoy it for many years to come!
Summing Up Wood Fence Maintenance
While a good wood fence is built to last, no fence can stand forever. If you want your fence to last as long as possible, you'll have to take matters into your own hands.
Wood Fence maintenance is vital if you want your fence to last the test of time and the elements.
You are not alone in this endeavor. Latitude Fencing & Gates is always available to answer any questions about maintaining your fence.
We offer free estimates, detailed measurements, and customizable options to ensure you get exactly what you need. Contact us today and let's get started on your project - whether it's a small repair job or a complete custom fence installation, our experienced staff can help!
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