5 Tips to Cleaning Your Fence
If you're like most homeowners, you probably take pride in your home's appearance - and that includes the fence. A well-maintained fence is an important part of your property, not to mention it adds to the curb appeal. However, without proper maintenance, fences can quickly become dirty and unsightly.
You may be thinking, "my fence doesn't look that dirty, does it really need to be cleaned?" and the answer is yes! Fences are constantly bombarded by the elements - from wind and rain to dirt and pollen. Over time, all of this can lead to a build-up of dirt and grime, which can make your fence look dull and lackluster. Here are five top tips for cleaning your fence!
1. Prepare the Area
When you're ready to wash your fence, make sure you cover the ground around it first. This will protect any plants or grass that might be in the way, and also prevent any chemicals from harming them. Just head to your local hardware store and pick up some plastic sheeting - it's cheap and easy, and will save you a lot of hassle in the long run. Trust me, it's worth it!
2. Remove Heavy Debris
A stainless steel wire brush prepares a wood fence for painting, but it is also handy at getting rid of stuck on dirt and grime. Run a wire brush over any caked-on or large pieces of debris. Be careful not to scrub a wire brush into a painted fence too deeply.
If you don’t already have one, purchase a wire brush at a hardware or home improvement store. Substitute a plastic bristle scrub brush for a wire brush and use a little more pressure.
For really tough jobs, you may need to resort to using a power washer with the appropriate settings. Be sure to test the machine on an inconspicuous area first to get a feel for the pressure and to avoid damaging your fence.
3. Hose it Down
Next, wash the fence down with water to remove all of the filth you've just scrubbed off. To ensure that you're getting all of the debris, use medium-high pressure. This will prepare the wood for a more thorough clean.
Be sure to also hose down any plants or landscape near the fence if you intend to use any chemicals to wash the fence. By soaking the plants, it will ensure that they do not absorb anything else that may harm them.
4. Apply Chemicals
Oxygenated bleach is a good cleaner for wooden fences. It will remove all the dirt that you couldn't get rid of with scrubbing. Apply it with a big brush and let it sit for around 15 minutes. Then use a more harsh brush, like a wire brush or plastic bristles brush, and give the fence another scrub.
Bleach can be dangerous, so make sure you take some safety precautions. Wear gloves and long-sleeved clothing to make sure it doesn't come in contact with your skin
5. Soft Washing or Pressure Washing
One of the best ways to clean your fence is with a soft washing system, like the one we use at Full Blast Pressure Washing. We use less than 400 PSI and a combination of chemicals when we wash fences. This uses low-pressure water to gently remove dirt, grime and algae from the surface of your fence.
A soft washing system is much less likely to damage your fence than a pressure washer, and it does a better job of removing tough stains. Most people who use pressure washers they purchased at a local hardware store will power wash the fence and when this happens the pressure is typically high. It will leave scarring of the wood, divots, as well as a fuzzy feeling on the wood.
If you decide to use a pressure washer, be sure to use the lowest setting possible. High-pressure water can damage your fence, so start with the lowest setting and only increase the pressure if necessary. Use a wide-angled nozzle to avoid damaging the wood with too much pressure.
If you have ever power washed your house siding, then you know how easy it is to damage the material if you are not careful. The same goes for fences! If you use too much pressure, you can easily strip the paint or damage the wood.
Bonus Tip - Apply stain or repaint
The best way to keep your fence looking fresh is to restain or repaint it every few years. But before you start painting or staining, it's important to check with a professional to understand if the fence has been painted or stained before. This will make a huge difference when time to spruce it up. If you're using a stain, be sure to test it on a small area first to make sure you like the color.
So there you have it - a few simple tips to help you clean your fence like a pro. However, if you're unsure of tackling this project or just don’t have the time, then consulting with professionals like Full Blast Pressure Washing is a great decision.
Full Blast Pressure Washing has been serving Camden, Glynn, Charlton and Nassau county since 2014 and is licensed and insured. As veteran owned business that is operated by Firemen, you can count on professional and friendly customer service as well as great service cleaning your roof, house, windows, fence or driveway. See below to request a free estimate today!
