Tips to maintain your wooden fence

Whether you’ve just had a new wooden fence installed or are planning for one, it is important to learn how to take care of it, as a well-maintained fence can last 10 to 15 years.

The experts at HomeStars, a free service that helps people search, read reviews and connect with reputable home service pros for their renovations and repairs, are sharing their tips to keep your fence looking great for years to come.

Seal your fence. Wood is very absorbent, making it vulnerable to weather, especially rain and snow. Moisture can cause it to warp or rot, so it’s important to protect your fence against these elements by sealing it with an oil-based stain. You will want to do this once every few years to keep your fence looking sharp.

Keep it clean. Dirt and debris build-up can make a new fence look old and tired quickly. You can use a scrub brush, soap and water to lightly clean a wooden fence or consider hiring a professional to power-wash it, which is a faster and more thorough option.

Looks for cracks and rot. It’s important to inspect your fence and look for cracks or rotting spots on an ongoing basis. These spots will only get worse as time goes on, so you’ll want to repair them before inclement weather leads to further damage.

General maintenance. There are several small things to keep on top of to ensure your fence lasts for a long time. These include:

• Sprinkler placement — as water can cause wood to rot, try not to place your sprinkler in an area that soaks your fence every time you water your grass.
• Treat for bugs — termites love wooden fences, especially those made from fir, pine, redwood and cedar. To ensure your fence doesn’t become a termite buffet, be sure to treat your fence to keep bugs away.
• Caulk where necessary — if your fence is built upon concrete, water can sometimes seep in between the fence and the base and cause the post to rot.
• To stop this, simply put a bit of caulking where the two meet and you won’t have to worry about water pooling.
• Remove snow — in the winter months, snow can build up on fences so it’s a good idea to clear it off, including around the bottom, to avoid water damage.