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Plan for this annual or
bi-annual maintenance when budgeting the cost for new wooden
fencing.
Putting in a wooden fence around your lawn or garden adds a
decorative accent that many will find attractive. However, your
fence may soon lose its appeal if you don't keep it up with regular
care and maintenance. Some fencing materials, like vinyl or
aluminum, require their own brand of upkeep. But wooden fences
benefit most from routine scraping, painting, and sealing. Plan for
this annual or bi-annual maintenance when budgeting the cost for new
wooden fencing.
Of course, if you can do the work instead of hiring it out, you can
some substantial costs. But if you cannot, you will need to factor
in the labor costs of caring for your fence. In addition, you need
to cover the cost of supplies, including the paint or sealant
products, along with equipment needed to do the work.
Check your fence every few months for peeling, splintering, mold, or
breakage. Insect nests are another potential problem, along with
knotholes where birds may be nesting. If you decide to treat the
nesting areas, do so humanely, for the birds at least. Otherwise,
you may wish to leave these
areas alone and concentrate on actual damage to the wood. Look for
signs of termite infestation, and call an exterminator if you find
them. Manage pest problems before they get bigger, or you could end
up paying a premium for
pest control.
Depending on the style of wooden fence you have, you may want to
sand off rough edges or remove protruding fragments that could cause
splinters, especially if you have children or pets that are likely
to play on or around the fencing. For split-rail fences, a natural
look works well, but you still may need to check for problem areas
that need to be treated with fungicide, herbicide, or pesticide.
Painted fences should be touched up every year or two. You will
probably have to scrape away flakes and chips to get a smooth finish
before repainting. You also may want to seal the fence with a
product that will help to protect and preserve it. There are several
on the market, so check with your local home supply outlet for
details on what to buy and how to apply it.
When painting your fence, buy the right kind of outdoor paint, along
with primer, if needed. You might want to put up a string barrier
along the fence that you have painted to keep it from being bothered
until it dries. If you are painting a wooden fence for the first
time, you will want to match or at least coordinate it with other
colors in your outdoor decorating scheme. These may include your
porch, house door, window shutters, or shed. Otherwise, a neutral
color like white, brown, or red should work well for many kinds of
outdoor fences.
Even though your fence may be used for mostly functional purposes,
like keeping neighborhood dogs away or protecting a parking area, it
doesn't hurt to make the fence attractive and aesthetically
appealing. Check out your decorating options at your local home
supply store.
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