By In order to ensure the longevity of any fence, it is imperative that you regularly take care of it. No matter if you have picket fencing or basic panels, taking the time to maintain the fence will make sure that it not only looks great for many years, but also that it retains its structural integrity. In reality, there isn’t much to it when maintaining a timber fence and here is what you need to do in order to keep it looking its best.
What Equipment You Will Need
Many think that in order to carry out maintenance on a timber fence that they need a wide range of high end products, but the reality is very different. In fact all you need are the following products and tools in order to make sure that your fence looks great for years to come:
- Hose or power washer
- Wood stain
- Protective sheets
- Brush and roller
- Bleach or timber treatment
Protecting The Garden
The reason as to why you will need those sheets is so that you can protect the garden when you are cleaning the fence. Spraying water with the hose or the power washer can easily disrupt the grass or the soil, so lay down the protective sheeting before you begin in order to make sure that nothing is damaged.
Cleaning Up
When it comes to cleaning your timber fence, Melbourne hardware stores stock a wide range of products which you can use to leave it clean and ready for the next step. If you cannot find these products then watering down bleach is a good way to make your own solution. Apply this solution to the fence using a brush and then use the power washer or hose to remove any mildew and dirt.
New Seal
It is imperative that you leave the timber fence for a number of days once you have cleaned it, in order to allow the timber to dry out. If you apply a new seal whilst the timber is still wet, it will not be properly absorbed into the timber which will not seal it. Make sure that you are using stain here and not just paint, as paint only sits on the surface of the timber rather than penetrating the fibers of the timber, which is what we need to offer maximum protection.
Regularity
Some people like to carry out this process once every 3 or 4 years but for best results you should really be looking to repeat the process every 2 years. This will make sure that your fence is always looking great and that it keeps that strength and protection from the elements. This may seem like a big job but if you get into the practice of doing it every two years, you’ll find that it takes less and less time, as you get more efficient at carrying it out.
If you fail to maintain your fence, then you can expect it to weaken and lose its strength and cooler over time.
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