5 Ways to Keep Your Privacy Fence Protected

A wooden privacy fence offers safety and aesthetic appeal for any property, but wood fences require maintenance. Wooden fences can be a thing of beauty but keeping them in perfect shape can be tricky. Here are five simple steps you should take to preserve and protect your privacy fence.

1. Protect the Bottom from Damp Soil

Fences often rot or decay from the bottom up, usually due to damp soil or piled debris that’s gathered around the base. The bottom few inches of your fence need to be protected and kept completely dry to prevent decay. The best way to do this is to cut your fence slats in a way that ensures they don’t contact the ground. Keep this area free from soil and debris to prevent moisture damage.

2. Watch Out When You Water

Keeping your grass lush and green with the sprinkler can damage your fence. If your fence looks to be decaying from the center, your sprinkler is likely the culprit. As the sprinkler hammers the middle and bottom of your fence with water, it quickly rots the wood boards. Be careful where you place your sprinkler, and make sure the water spray stops several inches from the base of your fence.

3. Stain Once and Reseal Annually

Sealing your fence keeps the wood oiled and protected from water damage. Some fence stains include a sealant in the mixture, but most fences need to be sealed after staining. It’s best to re-seal a fence every year to prolong its lifespan. Not sure whether it’s time to re-seal? Splash some water on the fence, and if it beads, the seal is still intact. If you see the water absorbing, it’s time to re-seal.

4. Power Wash When Necessary

While water can damage a wooden privacy fence, it’s important to keep your fence clean of grime and debris. Stick to an annual schedule of pressure washing your fence and use a maximum pressure of 1,500 to 2,000 PSI. Make sure you’re working with a 25-degree tip—it’s great for hitting problematic or hard-to-reach spots. Not only does a good wash remove areas of weathering from the fence, but it also safeguards it from rot and mold.

Sometimes, your fence may also require some light sanding. After you’ve done your annual power wash, check the fence for broken wood or rough spots. Smooth the rough areas with sandpaper—and while you’re at it, replace any nails that have popped out from the boards. Use aluminum or stainless-steel nails or screws that won’t rust and discolor the fence.

5. Replace Damaged Boards

If you notice boards or posts in your fence starting to rot, remove the damaged areas immediately. Fences are made of connected pieces of wood, and rot can spread quickly. The quicker you replace a rotted slat with a clean, new one, the longer your fence will last.

A Quality Fence Keeps Your Property Looking Its Best

Is your privacy fence looking worse for wear? Don’t let a damaged, dingy fence drag down the appearance of your property. The fencing experts at Mossy Oak Fence of Tampa can help! Call us today at (813) 590-4482 for your free estimate.