Garden fence maintenance & weather-proofing

Garden fences are essential to protect any property. They’re designed to withstand year-round exposure to the elements and add privacy and style to outdoor spaces. 

As fences inevitably take a battering from strong winds and heavy rain, it’s important to keep on top of their maintenance. There are a few steps you can take before and after installation to ensure your fence remains structurally sound.

What is the best weatherproof fencing?

Fences aren’t a short-term investment, so the first decision is to choose the most suitable fence material. 

The best pick for the job depends on factors such as practicality, the reason why it’s being installed (like enhanced security or to improve the overall look of the area), budget and the property’s location. For example, houses near to the coast or at higher altitudes are more prone to experiencing extreme weather conditions.
 

Wooden fence maintenance tips

Follow these tips to keep your customers’ garden fences in the best condition.

Preserve your panels

Most new wooden fence panels are pressure-treated or treated with a wood preservative to protect them from rot and water damage. However, if the preserve appears patchy, it’s time to breathe new life into the wood.

You’ll need to use a stain stripper to lift the old finish, then clean the fence using a pressure washer or a scrubbing brush to get rid of any dirt, mildew or mould. Doing this will also remove the surface layer of old wood cells, and prevent it from returning after a few months.

Allow the fence to dry completely (about 48 hours), and apply a good-quality wood preservative. Use a brush to apply a generous (but not too thick) coat of the preserve, following the grain of the wood so it penetrates the timber. Be extra generous in the corners and cracks where moisture tends to sit. Ideally you want to do this when it’s warm – anything below 10°C will make it challenging for the preserver to dry properly. Let the first coat dry thoroughly before you apply a second coat. 

Aim to do this every couple of years, but have a look over panels each year to see how they are holding up. A good way to check if garden fencing needs another coat of preservative is to splash the panels with water. If the water soaks into the wood, another coat is necessary. Likewise, if it rains and raindrops soak into the fence, this is a warning that the protective layer is not working.

Consider adding decking oil as an additional layer once you’ve applied your wood preserver to add extra protection.. Decking oil is a natural product with excellent water-beading qualities that penetrates into the timber and protects wooden fence panels from UV rays and pests. 

If you want to retain the natural character of the timber and bring the best out of the grain, choose clear or natural wood preservers and decking oils.

Set the fence posts

A fence is only as reliable as its posts, which is why correctly setting the posts is crucial to any fence construction. Properly prepare the ground before any installation – it needs to be level and ideally in an area that doesn’t flood or get too muddy after a downpour. Check you also won’t disturb any water pipes or power cables.

Unlevel fence posts can cause the panels to sag or warp, affecting the look and stability of the fence, meaning it can’t be connected with level rails and pickets due to different elevations. An uneven fence will also affect maintenance, as weeds and other plants will flourish in the cracks and crevices created by the imbalance.

Secure the posts into the ground with a mixture of ballast and cement or post mix concrete. It’s a good idea to leave the concrete slightly proud of the ground to prevent rainwater from accumulating at the base of the post.

Cleaning fence panels with a pressure washer

A pressure washer works well for wood fence cleaning, but don’t have the settings too high as you could damage the wood. Begin by rinsing the wood, then hold the pressure washer about eight inches from the fence surface, starting further out and working your way in as needed.

Fill your pressure washer with a suitable fungicidal wash or mould and mildew cleaner (follow instructions on the product to see how much water needs to be added) and apply to the same rinsed boards. Spray in long, even strokes, making sure to take care around interwoven or overlapping fence panels.

Grab a scrubbing brush to tackle mould, mildew stains, tree sap, and other stubborn or troublesome spots. Use circular motions to buff the dirt away. Allow the cleaner to sit on the surface for at least three to five minutes, so it has time to take effect. Make sure it isn’t dry before rinsing – this is why colder, non-windy conditions are ideal for fence cleaning.

Flush out any remaining detergent from your pressure washer and check for any visible grime and mould that might be left. Use your pressure washer or a garden hose with the spray nozzle setting to rinse the fence with fresh water, washing from the top down in small sections to avoid unsightly streaks. When the entire fence is spotless, allow it to air dry.
Once clean and completely dry, you can apply a wood fencing treatment for extra protection from the outside elements by following the steps outlined earlier.

Cleaning fence panels without a pressure washer

You can of course clean panels without access to a pressure washer. Use a suitable fence cleaner, and fill a bucket with the diluted cleaning solution. Use a scrubbing brush to scrub a few boards at a time. Be liberal with your scrubbing but not too aggressive, as this could damage the wood.

Allow a minimum of three to five minutes for the cleaner to work. After this time, you can give the fence another scrub if it’s heavily soiled, but remember not to let the solution dry before rinsing off.

Rinse the fence with fresh water – a garden hose at low pressure is the most practical tool for this part. You can then add additional treatment to help prevent deterioration. In between cleaning and treating a fence is also the optimum time to make any necessary repairs.

Time to replace the garden fence? 

Cleaning and maintaining a fence regularly can add years to its lifespan. However, the cost and hassle of doing this means it’s not always worth it, especially if the fence panels or posts show signs of rot, are discoloured or have become unstable. If this is the case, replace them with new ones to avoid fencing problems that will make maintenance methods a bit pointless.

Take a look at fence care and maintenance products here, and use them to protect your customers’ garden fencing so they can enjoy their outside space for many years.