4 Fence Maintenance Tips Every Homeowner Should Know

Depending on the quality of materials and installation, your fence should last you 15-20 years. 

Keeping your fence in good condition should be a priority for any homeowner. That said, fences are exposed to all sorts of challenging conditions that shorten their lifespans. Regular fence maintenance will ensure your fence stands the test of time, no matter what it faces.

In this post, we're going to give you fence maintenance tips that'll make you think you have a new fence every time you go outside. Keep reading and you won't have to think about fence repair or replacement until yours has lived a good long life.

1. Clean Your Wood Fence Every 2 Years

When you have a wooden fence, you have to go through a very particular maintenance routine. For one, you should never point your sprinklers at the fence, as excess moisture will lead to rotting over time.

The other bit of maintenance for a wood fence is to give it a thorough cleaning every couple of years. Dirt and debris tend to stick to the wood, giving it a weathered appearance. 

Using a wire brush or power washer, you can get all of that debris off in an afternoon, leaving your wood fence as clean as the day it was installed. This is a really effective way to prolong its lifespan.

2. Spray Your Vinyl Fence Often

Vinyl fences are inherently lower maintenance than wood or metal fences, but that doesn't mean you can neglect maintenance. With vinyl, the most important thing is keeping it clean on a regular basis.

Because you're not dealing with organic material like wood, you can spray your vinyl fence as often as you want. Our advice is to do this once per week from spring until fall to avoid any built-up debris.

3. Make Fence Repairs Immediately

With any type of fencing, the longer you let damage or structural issues fester, the more likely it is you'll have to replace the fence. Once you have rotting or a crack in a wooden fence, it can create a domino-style effect that can be costly.

Vinyl can be tricky to tend to and issues can be even trickier to detect. The most common problems usually have to do with staining, pickets coming loose, or damage from extreme weather. It's in your best interest to fix these things as they arise, or they could be more difficult to deal with later.

4. Get Annual Inspections

Every type of fencing, from chain link to ornamental, should be inspected by a professional at least once per year. Annual inspections will detect any warping or rotting in the case of wood or vinyl fencing, or sagging with chain fencing - among other things.

For the best fencing services in the Lexington area, Rio Grande Fence Services is the only choice. Whether you're looking for residential fence installation or annual maintenance, you can rely on us.

Taking Fence Maintenance Seriously

These fence maintenance tips will keep your fence looking great for the long haul, but keeping up with it can be difficult. If you want to take fence maintenance seriously, hiring an experienced fencing company is the way to go.

Rio Grande Fence Services has been serving all of the fencing needs of Lexington residents since 1960. Contact us today to discuss your annual fence maintenance.