subject: How To Easily Maintain Your Fence [print this page] Fences can be a tricky thing to maintain, because each type of fence requires a different type of maintenance based on the material from which it is made. The various materials out of which fences are commonly made are quite different in terms of maintenance, and depending on the job you want done a different material may be appropriate.
Here, we'll go over a few easy steps for maintaining a variety of fencing types, as well as provide you with some tips to make the process of maintenance easier.
Iron fences are common around homes, for privacy and security, and in public places. If you either own or are charged with maintaining an iron fence, there are a few things you'll need to do. Since iron fencing is generally very resilient, there is not typically much in the way of maintenance required, but the main thing you'll want to watch out for is rust and corrosion. This is especially true if the fence is being used in an area that experiences air coming in from the ocean, as the salt carried with it will contribute to rusting. Application of an anti-rusting agent and occasional cleaning with a rag will help keep iron fences looking like new.
Wooden fences are also easy to maintain as well. While they, obviously, will never be corroded or rusted, they can be warped and damaged by weathering like sun and rain. This is easily prevented by a sealant, like a coat of paint or varnish. Sealant will help keep water from soaking into the wood and damaging it over time.
After sealing your fence, you can keep it free of dirt and other debris by running a cloth or brush over it, or spraying it with a pressure washer. When using a pressure washer, use a moderate to low pressure, in order to avoid stripping the paint or varnish off the wood.
Chain link fences require next to no maintenance, although they are easier to damage than either wood or iron. They resist blunt force quite well, but are easily cut or melted by someone with the right tools, and because they are often used in security this may be an issue. In the event of damage of this type, the section will likely need to be replaced. Fortunately, chain link is fairly cheap and sections can simply be detached and replaced with relative ease.
