Wooden fences need TLC if they’re going to continue to look amazing. At a minimum, they need annual care in the summers.

Wood is wood—even the best wood is prone to rot, mold, mildew, and grime. Protecting wood from moisture damage and mold is the goal of most of our summer care.

Here are the steps you should take as soon as the weather gets warm.

Annual Inspection

Summer is the ideal time to check the entire fence. You should check for sagging fence posts, leaning fence posts, and general damage. 

If you need a repair, it’s a good time to contact us. Depending on how the fence was built, we may be able to replace a panel or a post without replacing the entire fence.

Pressure Washing

Pressure washing can help your fence look brand new. You’ll be removing peeling paint or old stain. You’ll be blasting grime, mold, and mildew away. The entire process will seem like it ought to come straight out of an episode of Oddly Satisfying. 

Start by creating a cleaning solution. Add ¼ cup of bleach and ¼ cup of laundry detergent to your pressure washer tank for every gallon of water in the tank. 

Choose a 25-degree tip to avoid damaging your fence. Smaller tips can cut the wood, and larger tips won’t be very effective. 

Now you can spray, working in long lines from top to bottom. You want to be careful to follow the grain of the wood. Once you’ve sprayed every plank, sweep the bottom of the fence to catch any lingering debris. 

If you find particularly stubborn stains, add the brush attachment to your fence to scrub them away. 

Staining or Painting

Either staining or painting can protect your fence, but we don’t recommend painting. Paint tends to peel over time, and it doesn’t hold up as well in Houston’s wet, humid, hot weather. 

A good oil-based stain will help your fence remain moisture-resistant. You’ll still get to choose from a wide variety of stain colors, and you’ll bring out the natural beauty of the wood.

Finish your stain with a good sealant to add an extra layer of protection. 

Is it time to replace your fence?

Wooden fences really only last 7 to 10 years, even if you have the best-built fence in the world. If your fence is getting old, it may be time to replace the fence entirely.

If so, reach out to Lone Star Fence. Our team will help you custom-build a gorgeous new wooden fence for your property.

Either way, contact us! We’ll be happy to go over your options and to give you a quote.