Spring is one of the best times of the year, and is an excuse to get everything clean and tidy for the summer. Your backyard is the perfect place to focus your spring-cleaning efforts so that it can be ready for all the parties you’re going to host in the summer. Spring cleaning your fence in San Diego is a must if you want to get the most out of your backyard once the weather is better.
The San Diego weather can be harsh on fences, particularly the hot summer sun. However, the hot weather also causes plenty of dust and dirt to be kicked up, which can stick to your fence and make it look horrible. Here at Legend Fence Corp, we think one of the most important (but most frequently overlooked) areas that need cleaning is your fence. Read on to find out the best way to spring clean your fence.
Is your fence dirty?
The answer to this question, unless it’s been built within the last month or so, is most probably yes. All types of fence collect dirt, but it’s definitely most obvious on wooden fences. They are a breeding ground for algae and mold, and dirt sticks to wooden fences like glue. So even if you think your fence is nice and tidy, it’s probably much dirtier than it should be.
While problems like algae and dirt are mostly cosmetic, it can be useful to clean your fences down, not only for a better look, but to maintain the quality of the materials. Wooden fences that are moldy can be damaged, and it opens the door to rotting structures. Keeping your fence clean will not only look nicer, but will also make it easier to treat with preservatives, which make it last much longer.
How to clean your fence
Different materials need slightly different cleaning methods, but they’re all mostly the same. Here is a breakdown of cleaning methods for the most popular types of fence (wood, vinyl, and metal).
How to clean a metal fence
Metal fences, particularly aluminum or iron, are probably the easiest to keep clean, and generally require the least maintenance. Although your fence is probably treated to prevent rust, there’s nothing wrong with giving it a quick clean so it looks fresh.
All you need to do to clean a metal fence is brush it down to remove the loose dirt and debris, cut back any plants that might be in your way, and wash it down. This is best done with a mild vinegar solution because this will cut through any grime, but you can just as easily use soapy water. And that’s all you need to do!
How to clean a vinyl fence
Vinyl is another great choice as a fence material because it’s resistant to mold, and so you only have to worry about it getting dirty. One of the benefits of vinyl is that it can simply be wiped down, which is best done with a vinegar solution or soapy water. Give it a brush first to remove any loose dirt.
For a vinyl fence, you can also use a pressure washer. This will get the job done much quicker, but obviously isn’t something everyone has at their disposal. However, they’re generally really easy to rent around San Diego, so if you’ve got the money handy, we’d recommended this as the quickest and easiest way to clean your vinyl fence.
How to clean a wooden fence
Wooden fences are the hardest to keep clean and in good condition, but a commitment to regular cleaning and maintenance will keep them looking fresh for a very long time. The San Diego sun can be quite harsh on a wooden fence, which is why it’s very important to treat it with a wood preservative.
- Start by brushing your fence down to remove any loose dirt and debris. Cut back any plants that are in your way, or tie back any that you want to keep. You’ll probably notice that your fence looks much nicer already, but we’re not done yet.
- Mix up a cleaning solution that’s either 1 part bleach to 5 parts water, or 1 part white vinegar to 1 part water. Either of these solutions will get the job done, and will help you cut through the organic matter, such as algae and mold.
- When you come to wash the fence with this solution, make sure you scrub really hard and the solution penetrates into the wood. This is the best way of killing mold and algae, both of which have microscopic spores that will be embedded in the wood.
- Once you’ve left the solution to soak in, it needs to be washed off. There are various ways you can do this. The first is by hand, and involves you scrubbing the fence down again with clean, hot water. This is easily the most labor-intensive option though.
- Alternatively, you can wash it down with a pressure washer. San Diego pressure washer rental is easy, but if you don’t have the resources to rent one, you can do the job with a garden hose. Just bear in mind it’ll take longer, and the job won’t be as good.
- Your wooden fence should then be left to dry before you do anything else to it. It’s up to you whether you repaint the fence, but this should be done every 3-4 years to make sure it’s well preserved.
Whatever type of fence you have, spring cleaning can help it look nice and fresh for the coming summer. However, in the process of cleaning you might have noticed that your fence is most probably beyond saving.
If that’s the case, give Legend Fence Corp a try. We’re a team of experts with over 15 years in the industry, and we have all you need to get a new fence built in time for the summer. We work with your needs, and bring in our wealth of expertise to make sure you’re getting exactly what you want. Contact us today to find out more.
