Why spend the money purchasing and installing new fence panels when you can bring an existing one back to life? Considering it will cost you hundreds to thousands of dollars to install a new one, you should consider fence restoration.
Wondering where to begin?
Reviving your existing fence isn’t as difficult as some would lead you to believe. And in this brief article, we’ll show you the ropes so you can take on the project all on your own.
Keep reading for four easy steps that will help restore your fence. While it will never appear brand new again, just like your car after years of use, these steps will help it look as good as it possibly can.
Fence Restoration: Four Easy Tips
A fence brings privacy to your yard and separates the boundaries from your neighbor’s property. It likely wraps around your yard’s entire perimeter, serving as either a beautiful addition or horrible eyesore.
Fences are expensive to replace, and if you have the option, you should try and restore what you’ve got. And here’s how to do just that:
The Right Cleaning Solution
Instead of using a solution as harsh and damaging as bleach, considering mixing in white vinegar with water. Depending on the type of material, bleach can discolor your fence and harm your landscaping while vinegar will merely help free debris.
Coat your fence in the solution and let it eat away at the debris underneath for a bit. If you prefer, you can even take an abrasive sponge or cloth to rub debris free.
Pressure Washing
Sometimes you need something more than solution alone to remove debris from your fence. In this case, proper and careful pressure washing can be your best ally in your efforts to keep your fence looking good. It is essential to follow directions for appropriate water pressure to be used on your type of fence- some materials can be damaged from the force of too much water.
The caveat here is you have to be careful of the quality or age of the fence boards. If your fence is very old or made from materials that become brittle with time, pressure washers can blast right through.
You have to determine if your fence can withstand pressure washing before looking around for rentable machines. For example, although highly durable, pressure washing TREX fencing must be done carefully to prevent damage. You can even skip the vinegar step above and create a vinegar solution for your pressure washer.
Make Repairs
Once the debris, dirt, and signs of age have been lifted, you may need to make slight repairs to restore your fence. For instance, you can fix split pieces of wood by using specific glues and clamping the broken pieces together until dry.
You may need to replace a board or find creative ways to patch up tiny holes (you can find tapes and fillers at home improvement stores).
Stain it or Paint it
When the physical quality of your fence is back to normal, and you’ve removed all the surface debris, it’s time for a finishing touch.
If you have a wooden fence, you can stain it to almost any shade you can imagine, retaining all the grainy wood details.
If you’d rather a flat color with little to no design (or if your fence isn’t wooden), consider painting it. Home improvement stores are stocked with a range of paint colors that will hold up against the elements.
More Resources at Florida Fence and Gates
Now that you have a better idea of fence restoration, perhaps you’re getting a little imaginative. Maybe you’d like to do more with your backyard or try your hand at something more complicated for your fence (such as adding in gates).
If so, head on over to the Florida Fence and Gates blog now for more insightful articles and resources!