Fence maintenance tips every homeowner should know

Having a fence is more than just defining your property lines and providing your home security. It’s also about enhancing your home’s aesthetic value. After all, the quintessential white picket fence is among the most romanticized accessories to have on your property – completing the perfect image of your dream home. Needless to say, you’d want your fence to be sturdy, strong against the tests of time and weather, and beautiful. So, what should you do about your fence maintenance? Let’s find out, here. 

Whether you have a split rail fence, a picket fence, or a privacy fence, one can’t deny the obvious benefits of having a fence around your home. It makes the yard more secure for your children and your pets. It gives you more privacy from those pesky neighbors. And if it’s well maintained, it is bound to add to the curb appeal of your property.Wooden fences have a lifespan of between 10 and 15 years. However, with proper fence maintenance and the right care, you could extend that to 20 years or more. So whether you already have a fence or are planning on investing in one, read on for wood fence maintenance tips every homeowner should know to keep your fence looking great for decades.

How to buy a new fence?

Planning for and caring for your fence ought to ideally start before getting your wood fence installed. For starters, it’s important to choose the right fencing materials – the right type of wood. For instance, wood species such as red cedar or redwood are more capable of resisting decay. Depending on where you live, you could shop around for other local woods that may be as or more resistant to rot and decay. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a low-maintenance and highly durable option, PVC fencing can be a great substitute, offering resistance to weather, insects, and decay without the need for regular sealing or staining.

Keep in mind that fence posts are always in contact with the ground, and are more prone to insect infestation and damage due to moisture. The wrong fencing material can cause the wood to rot faster. 

However, this can be prevented by choosing pressure-treated wood. When wood is pressure treated, it is infused with chemicals that make it insect and water repellent. 

This, however, is not necessary for your fence pickets, since they are horizontal and above the ground at all times.

When should you paint or stain your fence?

When your new wood fence is installed, do not paint it or stain it for the first year. This is because it takes that long for the chemicals added to the wood to pressure treat it and for the wood itself to dry out. If you paint it too soon, you seal in that moisture, and you risk damaging the wood by making it more susceptible to rot and decay.

What should you do for the yearly fence maintenance?

Just because you choose pressure-treated wood does not mean your fence is maintenance-free. Here is a list of yearly maintenance tasks you ought to adhere to. Time to break out the elbow grease!

• Walk around the perimeter of your yard and carefully inspect your fence for signs of rot, decay, rust, or corrosion around the hinges and metal posts. 
• Look for any breaks or gaps and for any signs of animal activity, such as dug-up earth or animal tracks.
• Be sure to hammer in loose nails, replace broken boards, and tighten loose screws.
• Secure any posts that may be leaning.
• Ensure that your fence is structurally sound and secure by pushing firmly against it. If the fence sways or gives, then it is likely not secure.
• If any of the posts are broken, replace them immediately.
• Wood that shows signs of chipping, cracking, or splitting should be sealed with waterproof wood glue.
• Make sure your garden sprinklers are not pointed at the fence to reduce any chances of rot, decay, or damage to your fence.
• Try and avoid growing creepers or plants on or close to the fence that may add to the weight on the posts and make them unstable.
• Ensure your yard drainage system is efficient to avoid pooling around the fence posts.

How to clean, stain, or paint the fence?

While your annual fence maintenance includes making repairs and replacements, you will need to clean your fence thoroughly once every 3-5 years.

• Scrape off peeling paint and moss that may be on the wood.
• Once you have scraped off enough to see new wood, wash the fence with a pressure washer.
• Mold spores are more difficult to get rid of. Make a solution of 20% vinegar and 80% mild detergent. Spray this on the fence and let it rest for an hour before washing it off.
• Recoat the fence with UV-inhibiting, water-repellent latex paint or an oil-based stain.

Read more: Why is my invisible fence beeping

Want help with your fence maintenance?

Fence maintenance need not give you sleepless nights. You can utilize Kukun My Maintenance to make your home upkeep seamless. Simply add the home maintenance task to your personalized virtual calendar. Thereafter, you will get timely reminders to check your fencing for any damage, gaps, or breaks that can weaken the structural integrity of the fence. 

What’s more, the online tool will also help you connect with your preferred service providers if you think the job is best left to skilled professionals.  

Remember that well-maintained fencing will ensure the safety of you, your family members, your pets, and your property. The last thing you’d want is to have a fence that’s vulnerable to damage due to environmental conditions, moisture, and insects.

My Maintenance app will help keep your house in tip-top shape all year round. Not just for fence maintenance, you can utilize the platform for routine home maintenance tasks such as checking for caulking at doors and windows, ensuring proper home insulation, and repairing drainage issues.   

Last words

Fence maintenance is all about ensuring your fence remains a durable and attractive addition to your property. Whether you’re a seasoned homeowner or new to the realm of property ownership, understanding how to properly maintain your fence will not only preserve its appearance but also extend its lifespan.

Written by Narayan Shrouthy. March 21, 2022

Narayan is a content writer for Kukun. With experience in both content writing and editing, Narayan mixes his writing and love for reading with his passion for music. As an active musician, He aims to be a key player in Kukun's content experience.