How To Extend The Life Of A Wood Fence

A wooden fence can add security and aesthetic appeal to any home. However, they also represent a sizable investment. You can install a split rail, wood privacy, or picket fence, which can last for more than a decade. However, with proper wood fence maintenance, you can even double the lifespan of your fence.

How To Preserve A Wooden Fence

The most important thing about extending the lifespan of your fence is to be proactive about its maintenance. If you find any potential problems, you should work on them as soon as possible. If you’re able to prevent minor issues, you can avoid long-term problems.

The following are essential wood fence maintenance best practices to keep in mind:

Add Preventive Design Features

If you’re planning to put up a new fence, consider adding several features to make it last longer. For example, you can use metal fence posts ahead of time or use rot boards at the base of the fence.

Metal Fence Posts: Constructing your fence with metal posts does wonders at preserving the wooden parts of your fence. They typically last longer than wooden posts. However, the posts are the most vulnerable part of your fence because they constantly contact the ground. In addition, wooden posts absorb a lot of moisture and are prone to insect damage, mildew and rot.

Rot Boards: Adding rot boards at the bottom of your fence also extends its service life. Rot boards are also known as kickboards, and they’re installed at the bottom of the fence to fill the gap between the wooden pickets and the ground. They’re mounted horizontally onto the fence at the base. They work well with a cross frame or cap board design. Rot boards work by absorbing the moisture from the ground keeping the pickets dry. These kickboards are also pressure treated, so they tend to last before needing any replacement.

These two features are preventive measures that you can use for new wooden fences. This makes wood fence maintenance a lot easier and more cost-effective. However, if your fence has already been around for a while, you can try out other suggestions below.

Use A Suitable Type of Wood

During routine maintenance, you can inspect your fence to look for common problems like rot or decay. Then, you can replace the damaged pickets and other wood pieces or entire sections with a more suitable type of wood. For example, redwood and western red cedar are better choices since they are resistant to rotting and decay.

There are many types of wood that you can choose from, but you should choose the best ones available in your area. There’s no need to import wood from across the country. Some wood is preferred depending on local weather conditions. Give it your due diligence and ask around about the most suitable types of wood in your neighborhood.

Pressure Treatment

The wood used for building fence posts should be pressure treated. If you cannot install metal fence posts, the next best option is to pressure treat your posts before setting them on the ground. However, your fence’s vertical boards and pickets don’t need pressure treatment. Instead, the wood will be infused with chemicals to keep moisture and insects at bay during the pressure treatment process.

Stain and Seal the Wood

You can extend the life of a wooden face by applying high-quality stain and sealer. Adding pigments to the wood doesn’t just protect it from harsh elements and insects. It also gives your fence a brand new look. You can apply the fence stain before the wood is installed. However, if you already have the wood set up around your house, use the stain directly on all surfaces to create a protective seal on the wood. The stain also acts as a sunscreen for the wood, protecting it from harmful UV rays.

Pro Tip: If you’re installing a new wooden fence around the house, it would be good to wait several months to a year before applying any stains on the wood. The wood needs time to dry completely before any paint or stain is used. If you apply the stain too early, you risk sealing moisture within the wood, which will cause wood rot and mildew build-up.

Apply Paint on the Fence

An alternative to applying stains on the wood is to paint your fence. It’s a simple solution, and you can always purchase paint from a painting supplier or hardware store. Paint does more than give you a cosmetic fix. Paint provides ample protection for the wood from harsh weather conditions.

Choose paint that provides UV protection. You can ask any paint supplier for this type of paint. We highly recommend using latex exterior paint, which is a good choice as protection against different environmental elements. Latex paint also works well for all types of wood.

Perform Annual Maintenance on Your Fence

Performing routine maintenance checks and repairs on your wooden fence is essential. Your fence is an integral part of your home, just like the garage, roof and plumbing. You can find minor problems during regular maintenance checks. However, as stated earlier, early detection and prevention will help you avoid significant problems later.

Maintenance checks are easy to do. First, you walk around the fence, looking for potential problem areas. Next, inspect the perimeter for any signs of rot or other problems. You can then work on each issue, performing minor repairs as needed. You can also call professionals to do the rounds and regular maintenance work.

Watch Out for Broken Pickets

Sometimes you may find loose pickets when you inspect your yard. If this happens, you should screw them back on right away. However, there will be instances when pickets have rotten away or have become heavily damaged. If that is the case, replace the pickets that are already beyond repair.

Inspect Gate Hinges and Other Parts

Be sure to tighten any loose screws that you find. Make sure that the rails and fence posts are secured together. You should also inspect the gate and lubricate the hinges if you find some that are rusty and corroded.

If you find that your gate is weighing down, install a brace to straighten out the gate. Next, you can perform short inspections every now and then to ensure all parts are in optimal condition. Finally, you can inspect certain fence sections when you mow your lawn. These preventive measures spare you from costly repairs and replacements.

Keep Vegetation Away

As much as possible, keep plants away from your fence. Plants and shrubs tend to gather moisture. You can hire a local gardener to maintain the plants in your yard or do it yourself if you have the time. Do you have trees that have grown too close to the fence? You should give them a trim as well. Regular trimming doesn’t just keep your yard plants, shrubs, and trees healthy; it also helps extend your wood fence’s life.

Adjusting Your Sprinklers

Do you notice that your sprinklers are getting the fence wet? Make the necessary adjustments, so they don’t get the wood fence wet when you turn them on.

Regular Cleaning Every Two to Four Years

Apart from the annual maintenance, you need to perform a complete inspection of your entire fence every two to four years. During this phase, you will pressure wash your entire fence to get rid of mildew, moss and mold. You’ll be surprised how you can miss those things even after regular inspections. In addition, fungi can slowly degrade the wood, which will weaken the structural integrity of the entire fence.

After pressure washing, you need to let the wood dry thoroughly. When the wood fence is completely dry, you should apply a fresh coat of paint or stain. Make sure to use UV-inhibiting coating to add more protection to your fence.

Repair Cracks and Fill In Holes

Cracks on the wood usually start out small and negligible. However, they have a tendency to get bigger over time, which will prompt you to replace pickets and other wooden parts. You can apply wood filler on the cracks to stop them from growing bigger.

Holes may also appear on a wooden fence from time to time. This is because tiny troublesome insects and other critters tend to eat through the wood. You can fill the holes with wood filler. Apply another coat of paint on the fence after filling holes and repairing cracks.

Get Help From The Experts

Homeowners may not have the time or technical expertise to fix or maintain a wooden fence. Sometimes, you can’t find local suppliers of replacement parts. At As Good As New LLC, our experts know how to preserve a wooden fence using standard industry techniques. We are the trusted brand in key areas in and around Texas.

If you need expert help, feel free to contact us by filling out this form.