Critical Maintenance to Perform on Your Wooden Fence This Spring
While it may feel like winter just started, the fact is that spring is right around the corner. While warmer weather may feel like it can’t come soon enough, spring brings with it important home maintenance tasks in order to repair any damage that winter storms may have caused. In particular, if you have wooden fencing on your property, it is important that you take some time to perform maintenance and repairs on your fencing this spring in order to maintain its longevity and keep it looking pristine. Here is a look at a few steps that you should take to maintain your wooden fence this winter.
Keep Your Fence Clear of Debris
Your first step should be to clear any leaves, sticks, branches, and other debris that may have collected on or around your fence this winter. Rotting plants can stain your wooden fence, and it can even lead to mold and mildew growth. When clearing away debris from around your fence, make sure to check between the pickets, as wet leaves lodged in between pickets can cause your fence to rot.
It is also likely that you did not stay on top of yard maintenance during the winter. This means that there may be tree branches that have begun to grow dangerously close to your fence. It is important that you trim back any tree branches that are hanging over your fence, as a broken branch could cause costly damage. You should also take some time to trim back any plants that are pushing up against your fence that could potentially cause damage to its structure.
Wash Your Fence
During spring maintenance, it is also critical that you wash your fence. Removing any surface debris, and performing a deeper cleaning, can help to remove surface stains and prevent any potential damage that dirt and debris can cause to your fence. Investing in a quality wood or fence cleaner can help to ensure that you are able to properly condition your fence without causing any damage. Make sure that you use a soft brush so that you do not cause any damage, and try to work the brush in between pickets to remove debris. Once you have cleaned the fence thoroughly, use a pressure washer to rinse it off and remove any remaining debris.
Inspect for Signs of Damage
Once your fence has been cleaned, it is important that you inspect it thoroughly for signs of damage. Carefully go over the entire fence and look for any potential problems such as missing nails, loose boards, knot holes, or sections that are showing signs of rotting. Finding and repairing damage early can prevent more costly problems down-the-road, and it can help to extend the life of your fence.
Stain and Seal It
If it is been a few years since you have done so, your next step should be to stain or seal your fence to add an additional layer of protection. There are a wide variety of sealant options available, just make sure that you choose one that is safe for use on wooden fences. Taking the time to stain or seal your fence can help to protect it from sun damage now that summer is approaching.
Consider Having it Replaced
Of course, depending on the age of your fence, your spring inspection may reveal extensive damage. While localized rotting and insect damage can be repaired, extensive damage may indicate that it is time to have your fence replaced. If this is the case, replacing your aging fence may be the best option to ensure that your fence is safe and that it properly secures your property
Feel free to contact us to learn about the benefits of having your aging fence replaced this spring as well as to find out about replacement options.
