Fences are a big investment, so you probably want your fence to last as long as possible! With some easy steps and regular maintenance, you can prolong the life of your fence to around 20 years, depending on the material of your fence. Metal fences can even last for up to 35 years with proper care.
Whether you are looking for how to maintain a wooden fence or a commercial metal fence, everything you need to know is right here. In this guide, we highlight how to maintain a fence with the steps you should take to ensure you are looking after your fence correctly.
- 1. Assess the Condition of Your Fence
- 2. Clean the Fence
- 3. Repair Any Damage
- 4. Apply a Protective Coating
- 5. Check All Moving Parts
- 6. Regular Maintenance is Key!
- 7. Control Your Shrubs
- 8. Change Your Maintenance to Match the Seasons
- Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Looking for a Fence? FM Fencing Can Help!
1. Assess the Condition of Your Fence
By identifying any areas of damage, you can effectively plan your maintenance and ensure your fence is in top condition. You should check for harm to the fence, loose boards, rusted areas, peeling paint, rotting wood, and any other signs of damage. Early identification will allow you to fix any issues before they become worse.
2. Clean the Fence
The next step is to clean your fence. Cleaning the fence will enable you to see any further signs of damage hidden by dirt and grime. Using water and a gentle brush or a pressure washer, carefully clean your fence, removing any dirt, grime or mould that may have built up on the fence over time.
Specifically for wooden fences, you should be careful not to brush too hard or use a high setting on your pressure washer, as this will cause the wood to splinter, causing damage to your fence.
If you have a metal fence, make sure you clean any signs of rusting using rust remover or sandpaper. This will ensure the rust doesn’t spread further and cause bigger issues down the line.
3. Repair Any Damage
After one last inspection after cleaning your fence, you should begin to repair any damage. For example, any loose screws or nails should be tightened or replaced, and broken or rotting boards should be replaced with new ones.
For tips on how to repair your fence, take a look at our DIY Fence Repair Guide.
4. Apply a Protective Coating
The best way of making sure your fence lasts as long as possible is to apply a protective coating. This will minimise the amount of damage to the structural elements of the fence, as the coating will take the brunt of it.
Wooden fences should have a sealant or paint applied regularly to reduce the effects of moisture, UV rays and pests. To protect your metal fences, you should apply a protective coating to prevent rust forming and corrosion.
5. Check All Moving Parts
If you have a gate, including automatic gates, you should check for any damage to the hinges. General use of gates can cause stiffness over time, so applying lubricant can ensure a smooth opening and closing of the gate.
6. Regular Maintenance is Key!
Although you might think checking your fence once a year may be enough to maintain a fence, you should regularly check for damage to ensure any issues are detected as early as possible. Monthly checks can make all the difference in fixing problems as soon as they occur rather than letting damage escalate and become more costly to fix. This will save you money and time in the long run.
7. Control Your Shrubs
As many fences, wooden or metal, are affected by moisture, it is important to control any plants you have near your fence. It is recommended you leave a gap between the fence and your plants to avoid any pressure on the fence and excessive moisture that can accelerate damage to the fence.
8. Change Your Maintenance to Match the Seasons
Every season comes with its own challenges. For example, in winter, you might experience snow, which can be an added weight on your fence and be another source of moisture. To avoid damage from snow, you should try to remove it as often as possible, minimising the risks it can pose to your fence.
Another example of a seasonal challenge is the greater exposure to the sun in summer. Hotter weather can also mean a greater risk of sun damage to your fence. With good maintenance, you should have already protected your fence with a sealant. However, summer can also be a good time to top up this protection to reduce the risk of UV damage, and sunnier weather allows for the sealant or paint to stay on your fence and allow time to dry.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
Without doing your research, you could cause more harm to your fence than good! Here are some common mistakes you should avoid when maintaining your fence:
Harsh Chemicals
Cleaning your fence is one of the best ways to spot any damage. However, if you use harsh chemicals, this can actually cause damage. You should avoid using harsh chemicals and instead opt for cleaning methods such as vinegar and baking soda to scrub off dirt if needed.
Tools
You may think scrubbing your fence is the answer to removing dirt and grime, especially in those tougher spots, but scrubbing too hard may cause greater damage to the fence! Using a wire brush on a wooden fence is a good idea when you need to get into the grooves of the wood, but applying too much pressure can strip off any paint and cause damage to the wood. Additionally, you should use a sponge and soapy water to clean a metal fence to avoid scratching the surface.
Pressure Washer
Using a pressure washer to clean your fence is a quick and easy way to remove any dirt. However, do not set the pressure too high, as this will cause damage to the fence, especially on wooden fences that are softer. It is also best to avoid pressure washing a metal fence as this can chip off the paint. Some soapy water can effectively clean your metal fences without causing damage!
For more information about how to maintain your metal fence, why not explore our Security Fence Maintenance guide?
Looking for a Fence? FM Fencing Can Help!
With the proper maintenance, your fence can last for years to come. However, if your fence has had its time and is in need of replacing, why not take a look at our range of fences? From security fencing to agricultural fencing and gate installation, at FM Fencing, we can find the solution to protecting your property. Get in touch with us today for more information about how we can help you!
Fence Maintenance FAQs
Who is responsible for maintaining a boundary fence?
The owner is responsible for maintaining a fence, but there is no legal requirement for them to maintain it. To work out whether you are the owner of a boundary fence, take a look at your plans. If there is a T marked on the plans near the fence in question, you are the owner of the fence and, therefore, have the responsibility to maintain it.
Do landlords have a duty to maintain fences?
As landlords have an obligation to ensure the property is safe and secure, it is the landlord’s responsibility to repair any damaged fencing. This includes any damage caused by natural forces such as strong winds or wear and tear. However, it is up to the tenant to maintain the fence.
How many years does a wood fence last?
Depending on the type of wood your fence is made from, a wooden fence can last up to 30 years with the right maintenance. Wood such as cedar can last between 15-30 years, whereas spruce fences may only last for 4-7 years. This is something to consider when choosing a wooden fence.
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