How to Extend the Life of a Wood Fence?
A wooden fence is an attractive option for securing and beautifying your front yard. There are many materials from which you can pick an ideal fence for your home, but the wooden fence is the oldest and one of the most trusted options as it offers many benefits.
However, with the freezing winter drawing in, taking care of your wood fence becomes necessary because it is bound to get wrong in extreme cold. Extending the life of a wood fence requires regular maintenance and care to protect it from the elements and potential damage.
Wooden fences represent an investment worth protecting, so it makes sense to give them as much care and maintenance as possible. A wooden fence should last decades with proper care and upkeep – its type playing a critical role in how long its longevity.
Cedar is known to last the longest with proper care, although pine and spruce will also last decades with proper management. Moisture must be kept out to protect these wood fences – moisture encourages rapid rotting that even pressure-treated lumber cannot resist over time.
To avoid this from happening, ensure the area surrounding your fence has adequate drainage and the soil is tightly packed. Check to make sure sprinklers don’t soak your fence when they turn on; and trim any vines or bushes which encroach or lean against your fence as these could add weight as well as retain moisture that could eventually lead to mold growth and rot.
Staining and sealing your fence are an effective way to extend its life. They protect wood against premature rotting while giving it a fresh new look – many stain sealants come in various colors so you can customize how your fence appears; there are even pre-blended paints which combine stain and finish for even easier application!
Routine inspections of your fence will allow you to detect problems early and address them efficiently. Keep an eye out for signs such as sagging sections, loose boards or other signs of wear or damage as well as hinges and latches. Doing this could save money over time by preventing costly repairs.
If you discover any signs of rot or mold on your fence, act quickly. These issues can quickly spread throughout your entire structure and become an enormous liability if left untreated; leaving the issue to fester could even eat away at wooden post bottoms leaving weak and fragile fence posts that are vulnerable to collapse.
Add rot boards to your fence for additional support and protection. They should be installed at the base, between the ground and wooden pickets, to absorb any moisture from below that might penetrate them and keep your pickets dry – prolonging their lifespan while keeping you comfortable!
Additionally, consider wood preservative treatments after staining and sealing your fence to extend its life by up to 10 years. Apply these preservative treatments after staining and sealing to maintain protective coats on wood grain surface; preservative treatments could add decades to its …