Tips to keep your fence in good condition

Surrounding the perimeter of your property with an ornate wooden fence not only defines the boundaries but can add a decorative effect to the garden. There are many different colours to paint your fence panels with, that blends nicely with the rest of the garden or just to stand out from the crowd?

Robert Frost (poet) said “good fences make good neighbours” true I guess when it’s properly cared for and is not an eyesore.
Remember when creosote was the only fence covering available to protect your fence from the weather. Thankfully, the choice is much wider today and the paint user and environmentally friendly.

There are many choices of colour or clear to choose from and whether you want a water-based or solvent-based preservative.
The main objective of course is to add longevity and endurance to your fence panels so they last longer.

With cheap untreated fence panels, you get what you pay for and be expected to replace them after a few seasons of harsh weather. We don’t want that, we want them to last 5 or 10 years. So, the panels you choose should be of good quality and have been vacuum treated with a wood preservative.

With this method the preservative saturates the wood giving longer protection. Rot, decay, or mold caused by water ingress is something a fence panel has to cope with and is the downfall of them if untreated.

They might be more expensive but it’s well worth the extra cost in the long run. Concrete gravel boards and fence post means you will never have to replace or repair fence again as they won’t rot like wooden ones.
Also once the gravel boards and posts have been installed correctly replacement panels can be easily slotted in.

If your fence panels are in close contact with tree branches that constantly rub and scratch the panels, trim them back. If it’s a new project and you‘ve decided not to install concrete gravel boards and posts, just make sure the panel is 50 mm off the ground otherwise over time it will soak up moisture and begin rotting. Keep the fence panels free of contact with foliage.

Sealants will repel any moisture or water attack and extend the life of the fence panels. Cuprinol or Ronseal and other preservatives are guaranteed from three to four years. So, apply that sealant once the panel has been installed.

To apply the sealant you can use a roller, large paintbrush, or spray. With a spray coat, it penetrates the wood giving deeper protection. Make sure the coating is applied generously to the top, sides, and bottom of the panel as these areas are prone to weather damage and rotting.

As you may know already, mould and mildew will cause fence damage. That film of green appears on sections of the panel suggesting it is due for a clean before another protective coating is applied.

It usually appears after a few years and is usually due to a panel being overlooked for a year or two?
Some use a jet washer to remove the mould, which is very effective.

However, the pressure will force water into the panel. Make sure you leave it to dry thoroughly (emphasis on thoroughly) before applying any sealant or paint. It’s best done during a warm spell.

Regular check the condition of your fences, there’s no need to go over the top. If you’ve preserved/painted your fences with a decent product an annual check is all that’s needed.
A touch-up here and there may be needed but not a complete panel repaint?

Decorating a fence panel with a trellis to support a climbing plant such as clematis is ideal. However, the panel underneath the trellis does tend to get overlooked when a paint job is needed.

The trellis can be easily unhitched from the panel to paint the area beneath. Reattach the trellis and it’s good to go for another couple of years. Providing it’s dry the best time to remove the trellis is during the winter months when the plant has withdrawn for the winter and petals and flowers are all gone.

Ivy always looks quite rustic on a fence. But it will also ‘suck’ the life out of the panel drying it out and causing it to rot. Just keep an eye on it as it will creep very quickly into places it’s not wanted!

A healthy lawn needs to be watered usually by a sprinkler, it’s so much easier than a handheld hose pipe. Just make sure the sweep of the sprinkler is set to avoid contact with any fence panels.

There’s no point in saturating the fence panels which could trigger rotting or mould build-up. If the panels are within the sprinklers sweep a plastic sheet draped over the panels will repel the water.

Stick to the above guidelines and your fence panels should last longer. Don’t forget those panels at the bottom of the garden (out of sight out of mind) they probably need more maintenance than all the others due to their location.

Just in case your fence is damaged or needs any sort of maintenance, you can always trust serviceteam for both.

We are a multi-service company (gas/plumbing/electrical/handyman/etc) operating all across Greater London and surrounding areas. Please enquire to see if we cover your postcode on 02045023922 or simply visit https://serviceteam.co.uk. Our friendly head office staff welcome your call.