Wood fences are the most popular choice for many homeowners for securing their property, mainly because there are so many things you can do about it. You can do it according to your choice, paint with any color you like, lightweight, and cost-efficient. It is easy to maintain too. Just follow the tips below to maintain the wood fence and retain its natural beauty.

Clean

The first thing that you need to do when performing wood fence maintenance is to clean the entire fence first. When cleaning, coat the entire fence with a cleaner; start from the bottom to the top. You can use a brush to apply cleaner on its tight corners. Let the cleaner soak for at least 15 minutes before washing it off with a pressure washer. 

If your fence has been painted, remove the old paint first with a paint stripper. Make sure to use protective gear such as gloves, respirator and safety goggles when working on the paint stripper.  

Repair

Evaluate the condition of your wood fence. Look for damages that need repair such as splits or cracks. Minor damage can be fixed with waterproof wood glue. You can also apply concrete spurs to repair broken and rotting fences. Look for loose boards too and make sure to tighten them. Replace loose nails and screws with new stainless-steel crews.

While repairing your wood fence, you can also decide whether you would want it to hang just a bit above the ground or just caulk it as protection. Moisture is the enemy of a wood fence. When moisture on the ground seeps through the materials of your wood fence, it becomes more susceptible to termites and bug infiltration. So, your choice will then be either hang it just a little over the ground or caulk it.

Seal

Apply a layer of sealant to maintain the natural beauty and health of your wood fence. Make sure that the wood fence is completely dry before you apply a coat of sealant. You can use a polyurethane sealant as it gives protection to your wood fence against the harmful sun. Apply at least 2 coats of sealant and keep the coating even. Remember to give about a 24 hour interval between each coat to make sure that the wood is completely dry. 

Stain

When you stain your wood fence, choose a stain that offers many benefits on your fence such as additional protection from the sun and waterproof or moisture-resistant so that your fence will be protected for a longer period of time. You might also like to consider using a wood stain that matches the color of the surroundings. 

Protect

Protect your wooden fence from objects that could damage it. If you have a sprinkler installed in your yard, consider changing its direction away from your fence. Vines and shrubs also pose risks to your wooden fence as they attract insects. Don’t put too much load on your fence too as it could promote warping and disfiguration. 

Repaint

When repainting your wood fence, use a roller or brush that lets you coat every nook and crannies of your fence. You can also use a paint sprayer to coat your fence with paint. Just cover the parts of your fence that you don’t want to paint with plastic sheeting.