How to Fix a Fence that Turned Green
Method One:
Using a power washer to clean your fence is easy and affordable. You can rent a power washer for a day if you don’t already own one.
1.
Be sure to remove obstacles in front of and on the other side of the fence, such as plants, trees and shrubs. If you can’t remove them completely, then make them easier to avoid by tying the branches together or covering them with a cloth or sack.
2.
Start by using the power washer on the most concealed area of your fence to test the quality of the wood. Set the power washer to 1500 PSI. Holding the power washer two feet away from the fence, turn it on, and wash the fence using a sweeping motion. If the fence holds up to this level of cleaning, then you’re good to go. Also, try it at 2000 PSI, and use this setting for areas that are harder to clean.
If the fence is damaged by the power washer, then this is a good indication that you need a new fence.
3.
Once you are finished power washing your fence, scrub any remaining spots with a solution that is one part bleach and two parts water.
Method Two:
Using a scrub brush to clean your fence may cost you less, but requires much more elbow grease and a lot of time and energy, especially if you have a long fence to clean.
1.
Prepare a solution that is one part bleach and two parts water, and then add a proportionate amount of soap that can be mixed safely with bleach. Scrub affected areas of your fence well with this solution.
2.
Dry and Prep your fence for staining or painting.
3.
Let your cleaned fence dry completely, then bang in or replace any loose or protruding nails and screws. If you like, you can cover them and any holes, cracks or splits with wood filler. Sand any rough areas once the filler has dried.
Staining Your Fence
You may have to apply a primer first, but staining your fence can be a one-step process, and the only thing you have to do before applying an outdoor wood stain to it is to make sure it’s clean and completely dry. To make sure your stain dries completely, do it at a time when the temperature is at least 50 degrees, and rain isn’t expected for about two days.
Painting Your Fence
Painting your fence to prevent damage from mold, mildew, dirt and weather requires that once it’s completely clean and dry you apply a latex primer according to the manufacturer’s directions. After the primer has dried, then you can paint your fence with any color latex paint you like.
If the above methods haven’t been working for you:
1.
Take the fence down, and store it inside each fall.
2.
Run a heat gun or blowtorch over it, This will dry the wood thoroughly and kill any mold or mildew spores. Sand the fence. Prep it with a latex primer, and then use your choice of latex paint on it.
You can try to prevent mold and mildew from growing on your fence by keeping plants, trees and shrubs a good distance from it. This will allow your fence to dry quickly thus preventing the growth of spores. You can also place a bed of rocks or grow short grass at the base of your fence to prevent dirt from splashing up onto your fence when it rains.
