Wood fences can be a beautiful addition to any property, but they do have their drawbacks. Originally made from natural materials like trees and bamboo found in the forest depths of Asia -or more recently manufactured through sawing up old ruins-, these structures are now often plated with steel or aluminum for durability against harsh weather conditions such as rainstorms which cause siding corrosion over time. The downside? When you notice your fence looking warn—especially after only 10-20 years+, there may already exist some serious problems that need addressing before it becomes too late!
It’s almost time for your annual autumn yard cleanup. If you have plans to change your fence, you can always get any professional fence repair company. But if you just want to clean it up, instead of ripping out and replacing that old, rusted fence though (which is costly), you can simply wash it! There are several ways to go about this; we will discuss them below but first decide on what makes the fence dirty?
The best option would be if there was some type of stain or debris stuck between its boards so I’ll talk about those next:
What’s Causing the Stain?
- Dirt, or Debris – this can be caused by such things as mud, soil, or simply grime that has been caked on over the years
- Mold and Mildew – This is one of the most common problems in wet or frequently rainy areas. Wood is a natural substance, and so is prime real estate for mold and mildew. This can be especially problematic if you have someone in your household with a mold or mildew allergy.
- Green algae – A common problem in areas that frequently flood. It also likes to grow in areas where there isn’t a lot of sunlight, such as behind trees, and shrubs.
- Water stains – This can be caused by high mineral or iron content in your sprinkler that hits your fence.
Fixing Tips
There are a few ways to do this, and here’s the list, from gentlest to most aggressive.
- Garden Hose – This’ll be the gentlest on your fence, and it’s useful for simply spraying off dirt or algae. It’s the most environmentally friendly option, but it’s not very powerful, so if your wood is completely greyed out, don’t expect this to work wonders. Try to keep the hose at least six inches off the ground to avoid kicking up more dirt and debris onto the fence you’re trying to clean.
- Bleach – Severe stains can require bleach, as it can clean mold, mildew, water stains, and rust stains. It can also help restore the wood’s original appearance but can be quite damaging for your plants or you. If you chose this method, make sure to lay down tarps, and wear protective gear. Mix one quart of bleach to one gallon of water – if you dilute the bleach, it’ll prevent it from discoloring your fence. We suggest pouring it into a pump sprayer for easy application.
- Pressure Washer – The pressure washer will strip off a layer of the wood (the grey stuff) so you can see the fresh wood underneath. This doesn’t harm the fence unless you pressure wash it excessively or are too aggressive. To be careful, test it out in an area out of sight before you start on the entirety of your fence, so you can practice and get a good idea of what you need to do. Then, you can move to the rest of the fence. Stand a couple of feet away and sweep the sprayer back and forth away across the fence in small sections. This can take some time, but it’s important to take your time to do it properly.