Installing a wood fence is a great way to give your property some extra curb appeal.
However, if you don’t maintain it, that appeal will quickly start to fade. That’s why it’s important to clean your fences regularly.
You don’t have to pay out hefty fees for contractors to do it for you. With a few tools, you can do it yourself.
In this post, we’ll tell you how.
How to Clean Your Wood Fence
Use these tips to make your fence look as good as new.
1. Scrub it with a Wire Brush
The first thing you should do is give your fence a good scrub.
Apply a wire brush in circular motions, being careful not to apply too much pressure. This is especially important if your fence is painted. If you’re too aggressive with it, you could remove the paint and damage the wood.
2. Hose it Down
Next, hose the fence down to wash away all the grime that you’ve just scrubbed off.
Use medium-high pressure to make sure you’re removing everything you can. This will prepare the wood for a more intense clean.
3. Apply Oxygenated Bleach
Oxygenated bleach is one of the best substances for cleaning a wooden fence.
This will dislodge all of the grime you couldn’t remove with scrubbing.
Apply it with a large paintbrush and let it sit for around 15 minutes. Then, use a more abrasive brush, such as a wire brush or a plastic bristle brush, and give the fence another scrub.
Bleach is corrosive, so make sure you take some safety precautions. Wear rubber gloves and long-sleeved clothing to make sure it doesn’t come into contact with your skin.
4. Use a Power Washer
If your fence still doesn’t look spick and span, it’s time to bring out the big guns.
When nothing else works, a power washer will do the trick!
If you don’t have a power washer of your own, you can hire one. Either way, you’ll need one with a maximum psi of 2000.
Add a tip to the end of the washer so the water spreads out instead of shooting in one direct stream. That way, you can cover a larger surface area and get the job done faster.
Stand about 2 feet away from the fence and start washing. Make sure you’re always moving the washer in either horizontal or vertical strokes. If you stay in one spot for too long, you’ll damage the wood.
5. Re-Stain Your Fence
To give your fence a finishing touch, re-stain it after cleaning.
First, let your fence dry out for 24 to 48 hours. Then, use a paintbrush and a roller to apply stain to your posts, panels, and pickets.
Fence Repairs
Sometimes, a good clean isn’t enough to bring your wood fence back to life. If it has cracks, holes, or mold, you may need to replace it altogether.
At HoCo Fence, we can do that for you. All well as fencing installation, we also offer a repair service. To see what we can do for you, contact us for a free quote today.