Renewing your wooden fence will add both preservative and aesthetic values
Having a wooden fence has so many benefits, it can almost feel like one of those things you can check off your list and not worry about anymore. This is almost true. Actually, you should be striving to renew your wooden fence every 3-5 years, to avoid letting it decay and sag, guarding your lawn like a tired old man, instead of the tough, Trojan warrior you originally installed! Thankfully, it’s gratifying work to fix it yourself, and can be done with materials found either in your home or at the local hardware store. It really boils down to two main steps: prep, and treatment. Don’t think about getting a new fence before you try repairing what could be a very simple fix!
Give Your Wooden Fence a Spa Treatment
The same way that people can feel run down and grimy until they’ve had a nice, soaking bath or a powerful shower, wood accumulates dead wood cells and loses its sheen. What do you do for yourself when it’s time to shed a coat? Spa! For your wooden fence, it’s a power washer. These aren’t hard to come by. Rent yourself a power washer operating between 1500-2000 PSI, (otherwise it’s too powerful,) and get both 15 and 25 degree spray tips. Hook up your hose to the power washer and apply pressure to the nozzle. Stand 18 inches from the fence and spray with the power washer. You’ll notice the grime falling away as the color of the wood lightens; once a section has stopped lightening, you’ll want to stop power washing as you could be damaging the grain, which will irreparably destroy your fence. Once it’s clean, simply wait for the fence to dry!
Correct the Odds and Ends, then Stain It New!
This is now your chance to repair bits that may have cracked broken off. You’ll want to use waterproof glue and either tape or clamp to repair cracks, and install corrosion-resistant screws where boards are connected too loosely. Try to apply a wood preservative where it’s most needed: anywhere the wood meets a natural surface, so close to the bottom of the fence where the posts are. Then, apply a semitransparent oil stain to the surface with a roller. Make sure you have a brush, too, so that you can stain the crevices and crannies, giving your fence a cohesive appearance. Section off the fence so that you finish each wet section with a roller and a brush before it dries. All in all, this project can last about two days, in good weather, and can last you up to three years!
If You’re On The Fence About Repairing Yours…
Think no more about it! At Hercules Fence, we want to help you by setting you up with quality, low-maintenance fences that you can live behind! When you are ready for a residential or commercial fence that will meet the security and aesthetic needs of your family or business, trust the experts at Hercules Fence. For more information and to learn how we can meet your custom fencing needs, contact Hercules Fence online or give us a call at 800-395-9597. We will ensure your investment serves your family for years to come! For updates and to see projects we’re working on, visit us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Google+, and Pinterest.
