Wood fences offer a timeless elegance that enhances the charm of any property, but like any valuable investment, they require consistent care to maintain their beauty and durability. While wood naturally weathers with time, regular upkeep will ensure your fence remains as striking as the day it was installed.
After having your stunning Westchester County, New York wood fence expertly installed by SCR Fence, you’ll want to keep it looking its best for years to come. Whether it’s protecting the wood from harsh New York weather or addressing signs of aging, these steps will help protect your investment and prolong the life of your fence. To ensure it stays in top condition and continues to add value to your property, follow these five essential maintenance tips:
#1. Closely Inspect Your Fence
Step one in maintaining your Westchester County, New York wood fence is easy: walk your property line and note any major (or minor) damages. Your fence may need some care after a long, New York winter. So get outside and check that your fence doesn’t have any of the following:
- Damaged boards
- Chipped wood
- Damaged paint
- Broken hardware
- Peeling paint or wood
While you inspect the integrity of the wood, you can also give the fence boards a gentle shake to test their strength. If your fence has a gate, check that it closes smoothly and the latches are tightly secured.
#2. Identify and Address Fence Repairs
While inspecting your fence, take note of broken or split boards. Addressing these issues quickly will help extend the lifespan of your fence. Cracked, warped, or rotting boards and posts can typically be replaced without major effort or expenditure on your part.
Many homeowners in Westchester County, NY enjoy tackling DIY projects, so handling small fence repairs may feel like a rewarding task rather than a chore. However, if the damage to your fence is extensive, our SCR Fence professionals are ready to assist! Give our friendly team a call, and we’ll be happy to help with your fence repairs—no matter the size of the job.
#3. Address Stains or Dirt on your Wood Fence
Wood fences are highly susceptible to dirt buildup and grime, so look for the following:
- Dirt
- Algae
- Mold
- Mildew
- Moss
- Mud
Quickly addressing these common issues can stop them from spreading and ruining the integrity of the wood.
To remove light dirt, grime, or mildew, simply hose down your fence. Use a brush and a gentle cleanser on tougher stains to restore the fence to its original condition. Using a 1500 to 2000 PSI setting on a pressure washer can also effectively remove buildup, and an angular tip can help to fan out the spray and protect the wood.
#4. Do Some Light Landscaping
Keeping your fence strong and clean can be as simple as working on your landscaping! Creating space between plants can improve the airflow along your fence and reduce mold and mildew.
Pay special attention to overhanging tree limbs or damaged branches, and trim any branches that have the potential to break and fall on your fence.
#5. Protect and Refresh Your Westchester County Wood Fence
Finally, refresh the stain and paint on your wood fence as needed. Typically, wood fences need to be refreshed every two to three years, and doing this has more than one benefit!
A fresh application can actually help to protect the wood, and while this makes for a fun DIY project, don’t hesitate to contact our Westchester County, New York fence company for help. Our crew can give you the guidance and techniques you need for a flawless finish.
Get Guidance from Your Westchester County, New York Fence Company
If you’ve followed all five steps and found your fence can’t be fixed, it may be time to consider a new one. But don’t worry. Our team makes the fence-buying process stress-free. Use our free fence quote page to get answers on an initial estimate and we’ll help guide you the rest of the way.
For service that goes above and beyond, give us a call at (914) 302-2552 or contact us online today. Let’s fix your fence together!