How to Take Care of Your New Wooden Fence
A nice looking wooden fence is a great way to add value to your property and keep your pets where they belong. The only problem is that you need to do a little periodic maintenance to ensure they stay nice. Wood is vulnerable to the elements and over time it will deteriorate and can even rot away entirely. Different seals and varnishes will help to stave off decay but only if it is reapplied every few years or so.
Some make the mistake of installing a new fence and trusting in the sealant that the mill put on the lumber when it was cut into fencing material. This coating will not hold up over time for two reasons:
- The initial coating given in the mill is only designed to resist bugs and water
- Due to money saving measures, the coating is not as potent as it once was because it has been severely toned down
Any part of your fence that will be put underground like a fence post will need to be pressure treated to ensure it is protected from the elements. Since pickets will be above ground they do not need to be pressure treated. To keep your wooden fence looking good as long as possible keep the following tips in mind:
Watch the placement of your sprinkler heads. You never want to have your sprinklers constantly spraying your fence because it will speed deterioration.- In the first year after the fence is installed, it will still be drying out. You should look it over periodically during that time to check for splits or cracks. These should be coated with wood preservative to give it an extra layer of protection from water.
- In five to eight years a wooden fence may start to shift or lean and will need to be corrected.
- A wooden fence will often last anywhere from 10 to 15 years before you will need to start replacing posts and slats that have become damaged or rotten
Watch the placement of your sprinkler heads. You never want to have your sprinklers constantly spraying your fence because it will speed deterioration.If you’ve just had FenceWorks of Georgia install your brand new wooden fence talk to our contractors about the best tips on keeping your fence beautiful. If it’s time to have your older wooden fence repaired or replaced, don’t hesitate to give FenceWorks of Georgia a call today for a free quote!