Caring For Your New Wood Fence
Wood is one of the most popular materials to use in fencing due to its affordability, aesthetics, and durability. While a properly constructed wood fence can last for a decade or longer, this will require the owner to effectively meet the basic care needs that a wood fence will have.
Painting And Sealing The Fence Are An Essential Type Of Maintenance
Painting and sealing the wood is one of the most important steps that you can do. Without a coating of paint or sealant, the wood will be extremely vulnerable to suffering moisture damage. In most cases, a wood fence will only need to be painted once every few years, and you can help extend the life of the paint by periodically pressure washing the fence. This can remove substances that may otherwise cause serious damage to the fence.
Keeping The Plants Away From The Fence Can Extend Its Lifespan
Tall grass, bushes, and other plants that are near the fence can be another source of wear and damage to the fence. This results from the plants trapping moistures and allowing pests to more easily reach the wooden fence. Keeping the grass cut short and trimming back bushes can be a couple of steps that greatly reduce the risk of the fence suffering these issues. Depending on the size of your property, this may represent a sizable amount of work, but it can be worth it to avoid the expense and disruption that will come with needing to have the fence torn down and replaced.
A Leaning Fence Should Be Stabilized
At some point, you may notice that your wooden fence is starting to lean. This can be a normal part of the process of the fence settling into the soil. In most situations, this will only occur when the fence has been in place for many years. Unfortunately, some property owners may not appreciate that this means that they will need to stabilize the fence. Failing to have this repair done can eventually lead to the fence collapsing. Additionally, it can also damage the fence as it may greatly increase the strain on the wood. As a result, the wood can splinter and crack in response to this stress. The exact steps for stabilizing the fence will depend on the quality and condition of the soil. For example, some properties may need to have soil grouting done around the base of the fence posts to prevent the problem from worsening.
Keep these tips in mind when looking to install a wood fence for your home.
When it's time to install your first fence or upgrade an existing fence, fence contractors are ready to help you accomplish the job. Our blog posts explore some of the benefits of hiring a contractor to install or repair your fence.
For example, fence contractors understand how to construct and set up the fence for optimal durability. They'll also address any concerns that you have and assist with brainstorming potential solutions. Or, if you aren't sure what type of fence you want or the features the fence needs to have, an experienced contractor can outlay the pros and cons of your alternatives.