How to Properly Maintain and Extend the Lifespan of Your Fence

Everyone needs fence maintenance guide as the fence holds the responsibility of protecting the privacy of our home by withstanding several harsh weather conditions and the occasional wear and tear from human activities too. It is essential to take good care of your fence to ensure it lasts a long time and does not need much maintenance. In today’s time, fencing materials are made with more complex materials to withstand changing weather conditions.

With the minimum effort and attention to your fencing and its maintenance, you can increase the lifespan of your fence by several years. To understand how, let’s look at some of the effective measures used by fence repair and maintenance companies to increase the life of a fence and help it retain its original quality.

Tips to increase the lifespan of your fence

The most essential thing to remember while building and maintaining a fence is that choosing the right material is necessary, along with regular maintenance and quality checks. Here are some useful tips to help extend the lifespan of your fence.

1. Choosing the right post material

Fence posts are an essential part of the whole structure and must be of good quality to preserve the original material of the fence from extreme weather conditions, moisture and other damaging factors. The material used in building the post of your fence holds importance as it directly determines how long your fence will last according to the fence maintenance guide. There are several commonly used materials that are economical but do not last long, for example, wood.

Nature starts the process of decomposing from the time you plant your fence in the soil, you cannot entirely stop the process of weathering, but you can slow it down. Since posts are in direct contact with the soil, use materials such as pressure treated wood that is built to absorb minimum amount of water. This helps in maintaining the quality of the wood and slows down the process of decay, termite damage and fungal rotting.

2. Choose the right post location

Where you choose to locate your fence plays a crucial role in determining the lifespan of your fence repair and maintenance. Use galvanized column post to keep the post above the ground and save it from water damage. Another way to save your fence is by lining the beginning of the fence with gravel or rock so that the water flowing towards your fence gets drained into the ground saving your fence.

3. Paint with asphalt emulsion

The best way to protect wooden fencing is by adding an additional layer of protection between your fence and the soil. Paint the point of contact between the fence and the ground with asphalt emulsion to slow down the process of decomposition and increase the life of your fence. The chemical properties of asphalt help in clogging the open pores present in wood that act as a channel as water gets easily absorbed through them as mentioned in the fence maintenance guide.

4. Invest in the right hardware

Choosing inexpensive materials or hardware on your fence just to save a little on the fence is always a bad idea as it puts your fence at the risk of early damage. Choosing the wrong hardware for your fence will be visible in a very short time when rust and corrosion will leave permanent stains on the body of the fence and ruin your fresh coat of paint.

There is special hardware for outdoor use and are rust free, for example, galvanized or stainless-steel coated screws. Investing in outdoor hardware might cost you a little more than usual hardware but this is surely a one-time investment as you would not have to re-paint your fence after a rainy season or get regular fence repair and maintenance.

Now that we’ve understood how a fence can be maintained to last longer, let us look at some of the most common materials used in fencing and their specific maintenance steps.

How to make your fence last longer?

When maintained on a regular basis, a fence made of any material will last longer than expected. Wood, Vinyl and Chain-link are the most common materials used for building fences. Here’s how you can maintain your fence to make them last longer.

1.Wooden fences

Wooden fences require a significant investment, and it is best to make the most of it by paying close attention to its quality and material health. Here is a fence maintenance guide to take care of your wooden fence:

Add metal posts:

Since posts are the most vulnerable to weather conditions because of being in direct contact with the ground it is essential to take good care of the metal. Switch to metal fences as they can make your fence durable and help in absorbing most of the moisture, saving your fence from rotting, corroding and getting destroyed beyond repair.

Install rot board:

Installing a rot board on the bottom of your fence can slow down and completely prevent the process of moisture absorption.

Stain & Steal:

To enhance the look of wooden fences and protect them from UV-rays, it is advice to use good quality fence stains and sealers.

Inspect & Maintain:

Make sure to inspect and repair your wooden fence every year by doing a thorough inspection to find any kinds of damage or any rusting in the early stages which can be replaced without causing much damage to the fence repair and maintenance.

2.Vinyl Fences

Vinyl is the most popular and durable material for building fences as it lasts for about 20-40 years. It is very low maintenance and is far more durable than wooden fences. Here’s how you can take the best care of your Vinyl fence:

Timely inspections:

It is advised to wash the fence 2-4 times every year and must be inspected at least once a year to find any evident signs of damage.

Oiling:

Regardless of the material of your fence, all moving parts must be oiled once in a while to ensure everything is running smoothly.

Tighten the gates:

If you have gates on your fence maintenance guide, make sure to tighten the moving parts securely to prevent it from swinging during heavy winds and damaging the rest of the fence.

3. Chain-Link Fences

Chain-link fences are estimated to last for over 30 years given they’re maintained on a regular basis. Here are some of the ways you can ensure that your fence lasts long.

Regular cleaning:

These fences can be cleaned easily with the help of high-pressure water and some mild soap

Protection from rust:

These fences are very likely to get rusted and it is essential to apply rust protection paint over it at least once a year.

Remove all vines:

It is always a good idea to remove all kinds of vines from your fencing as it increases the chances of exposing your fence to moisture and increases the weight on the fence repair and maintenance. It is best advised not to rely on the vines for increased privacy and to get a better fence that not only protects but also helps in providing the privacy that you need.

What are you waiting for?

Taking care of your fence is equivalent to taking care of your home and it is an essential part of maintenance. Fences have to withstand extreme conditions and but to make it last longer and get the most out of your investment, follow proper maintenance. This will help in saving you both time and money while keeping you and your loved ones safe and secure by following the fence maintenance guide.