As winter comes to a close and warmer temperatures begin to signal the spring season, you might find yourself stepping out into your yard and assessing the condition left by the cold months. In Atlanta, Georgia, winters are typically harsh, meaning you probably stayed indoors for most of the season. As a result, your yard hasn’t seen the attention it usually gets. So begins the tradition of spring cleaning, and your fence might be among the things that need a good once over.
If you’ve never had to clean your fence, you might wonder how to get rid of the grime leftover from winter. That’s why we’re here! We’re going over the best ways to clean your fence so you are ready for all those backyard barbecues with friends and family.
How to Spring Clean Your Fence
When assessing your fence, the best place to start is by removing any dead vines or shrubs that have grown up the side, as well as trimming up the healthy parts to keep them from weighing down your fence. Once this is done, you are ready to clean your fence.
1. Prepping Your Fence
Now that your fence is cleared of any debris, such as dead leaves and plants, take a good look at the condition of your fence. Cold weather and other harsh conditions like snow and high winds can eventually cause wear and tear, leading to damage that you need to pay attention to. Signs of a damaged fence include warping, rotting, or leaning boards. Some damage is repairable, while other damage may mean it is time to replace your fence. The biggest thing you need to ensure is that you still have strong and structurally sound posts and that the bases have not deteriorated. If your fence is still strong, albeit a little weathered, you can proceed with a spring cleaning to get it back in good condition.
2. Pressure Washing Your Fence
The best time to pressure wash your fence is during spring. Once the weather has warmed up and you are sure you won’t be experiencing any more harsh winter weather, a thorough pressure washing will have your fence looking brand new. If you aren’t familiar with one, a pressure washing machine sprays water with—you may have guessed it, high pressure. This technique removes mud, grime, mold, and algae from your fence and will not damage the boards when done properly. If you are an avid DIYer, you can rent or buy one to do the job yourself. However, if the thought of working a machine you’ve never used worries you, plenty of professionals can do it for you.
While choosing to pressure wash the fence yourself is possible, you should research this process, as it is possible to strip the boards and ruin your fence. So be sure you know the correct settings, sprayers, and techniques before you attempt it on your own fence.
3. Staining and Sealing Your Fence
After you or a professional has pressure washed your fence, you don’t want to put all that time and effort to waste, and the best way to preserve your like-new fence is to stain and seal it. For a wood fence, you will want to use a semi-transparent oil stain to seal it, as this will allow the grand and color to show through.
Pro tip: Wait to apply your fence stain at least 48 hours after washing it to allow the fence to dry completely.
Make sure you have the proper paint brushes and rollers so the stain you apply goes on evenly. Working in small areas with a small paintbrush can also ensure a nice even coat on your fence. Once you’ve completed this step and have checked for any missed spots—congratulations! Your stain will last for the next two to five years. Not only this, but your fence should only require minimal cleaning that can be done by a garden hose and a bristled brush to maintain its appearance.
Final Thoughts
If after the winter months your fence looks like it’s in need of professional repair or even replacement, not just a cleaning, our expert fence installers at Accurate Fence can help! With over 100+ years of combined experience, we have provided quality installation and repairs in Atlanta, Georgia, for years, and we would love to assess your current fence to determine whether you need to repair or replace it. No matter your needs, we are here to help! Contact us today by calling (770) 985-3700.
