Expert Tips for DIY Fence Maintenance After Installation in Wilmington

Professional installation gives you a quality fence. Regular maintenance keeps it that way. Here's what you need to do and when you need to do it.

Inspect your fence twice a year. Walk the entire perimeter in spring and fall. Look for loose boards, leaning posts, and damaged sections. Catch small problems before they become expensive repairs. Tighten loose screws. Replace cracked boards. Fix issues immediately.

Clean your fence annually. Vinyl and aluminum need just soap and water. Use a garden hose and soft brush. Avoid pressure washers on vinyl. They can crack it. Cedar needs gentle cleaning with wood cleaner. Remove dirt, mildew, and pollen. Clean fence lasts longer and looks better.

Seal cedar every 2 to 3 years. Water beads up on properly sealed wood. Water soaks into unsealed wood. Test by splashing water on your fence. If it soaks in, you need to seal. Use quality exterior wood sealer. Apply in dry weather when temperature stays above 50 degrees for 48 hours.

Check posts for stability. Push against posts. They shouldn't move. Loose posts mean the concrete failed or the post rotted. Dig around the post to check condition. Repack loose posts with concrete. Replace rotted posts immediately. One bad post can take down entire fence sections.

Trim vegetation away from your fence. Vines look nice but trap moisture against wood. This causes rot. Shrubs rubbing against fence wear away finish. Keep plants 6 inches away from fence. Trim tree branches that hang over and rub against fence.

Lubricate gate hinges and latches annually. Use spray lubricant or 3-in-1 oil. Sticky gates stress hinges. This leads to sagging. A few drops of oil keeps gates swinging smoothly for years.

Clear debris from fence base. Leaves and mulch pile against fence and hold moisture. This rots wood at ground level. Keep the area around posts clear. Good airflow prevents rot.

Touch up scratches and chips immediately. Exposed wood soaks up water. Exposed metal rusts. Keep touch-up paint or stain on hand. Fix damage when you see it.

Watch for insect damage on wood fence. Look for small holes and sawdust piles. These signal carpenter bees or termites. Treat immediately before they destroy boards.

We install fences in Wilmington built to last. Follow these maintenance steps and your fence will look good for decades. Need repair help? We handle that too.

Contact PRO Fence Co. today:Cape Cod: 508-394-4800 // Address: 133 Upper County Rd. S. Dennis, MA 02660  

Wilmington: 781-933-1234 // 835 Woburn St. Wilmington, MA 01887  

Website: https://www.profenceco.com