A fence that you have set up in your garden will need to be maintained to help it last. When fencing is set up, it can be used as a decorative element or for privacy. The upkeep of your fencing is vital to maintaining its appearance. The type of maintenance required depends on the material used for assembly. A typical material that used to build garden fencing is wood. To do this, you need to follow a set of steps for completing the task.
Examination
Walk around both sides of your wood fencing to see if there is any damage. This needs to be done at least once per year at the beginning of spring. You will need to look for problems that include broken slats, a nail or screw that shows rust, dirt, and rotted wood. Make a note of all the areas that need to be repaired on the structure.
Clean
Fencing that is exposed to the elements will become dirty and accumulate grime over time. One way to clean the wood is to use a power washer. If a power washer is not available, a garden hose with a high pressure nozzle can be used. Extensive cleaning will require scrubbing all bad areas using a scrub brush with soap and water. Rinse the exterior of the fence with water when you are done. You should begin to see the original colour come back to the wood.
Repairs
Nails or screws that are discoloured because of rust need to be removed. This can be done using a power drill or a regular screwdriver for screws and a cats claw for nails. Replace the old nails with galvanized nails and old screws with stainless steel or galvanized screws. Take off any boards that appear damaged or discoloured and replace them with new boards. All new boards will need to be painted or sealed when they are set in place.
Repainting
Garden fencing that is painted may have boards that are beginning to bubble or peel. To fix this, each of the boards that have peeling paint on them need to be sanded down to the original wood. Apply one or two coats of primer to the board and then add at least two coats of paint. Boards can be left in place or taken off if the job will be easier to do.
Sealing
New boards or reconditioned boards will need to be sealed. This can be done by using a wood sealer or a wood stain. The use of new stain will restore the colour and appearance of your fencing. Apply a stain to the wood with a brush. New stain that is applied to the wood slats should have a wood sealer applied to protect the stain from rain.
Holly is a business consultant who has worked for many companies in her career. She enjoys working outdoors and has a keen interest in garden maintenance including paving and garden fencing in birmingham. For more information, please visit GardeningBirmingham.co.uk, who provide garden maintenance services.