For its ability to withstand a variety of environmental factor, cedar is well known and cherish. These materials are designe to remain functional and attractive after years of use. The ideal choice for privacy, security, and tons of curb appeal is cedar fencing.
Despite the fact that cedar is typically a low maintenance material, there are a few considerations. As the years pass, you’ll want to make sure your fence is properly seal and clean if you want to keep it in top shape. A cedar fencing may look great right now, but there are many things that could make it stop working properly. Watch out for the things listed below to make sure your outdoor structures are prepare to withstand years of use.
Defending Cedar Against Water Damage
Water exposure is one of the main issues that homeowners have with cedar fencing. There are some precautions to take even though a lot of materials, like cedar, can withstand a lot of moisture. Take note that water damage can also come in the form of snow or even humidity.
Using a sealant is a fantastic way to safeguard the cedar fencing surface. Your fence won’t split, warp, or crack from moisture if you seal it with a waterproof coating. Water that penetrates the fence’s surface could lead to mold growth, rot, and shape distortion. All of these are severe indications of damage and may impair a fence’s overall functionality.
Every three to five years, a few coats of sealant should be applie. These structures ought to last thirty years or more with proper maintenance. Additionally, it’s crucial to prevent needless water damage from runoff or sprinklers close to your fence. Make sure it is in a good location to prevent harm, and periodically check on its health.
Defending Your Fence Against Sunlight
The amount of sunlight that cedar fencing will receive is another crucial factor to take into account. Even though most sun exposure is not harmful, long-term exposure to heat and direct sunlight can. A sealant every three to five years is the primary remedy for this, to reiterate.
Wood can dry out and become brittle when exposed to too much sunlight. This causes splintering and the fence’s general condition to progressively deteriorate. The weather can become particularly dry and the sun can be very intense, especially for those of us who live in a climate like Colorado. Prior to it remaining untouched for an excessive amount of time, it is essential to block out as much light as you can. Additionally, think about setting up the fence in a shaded area so that less sunlight will harm the construction.
How Important Weeding Is
It’s common for weeding to go unnoticed until it’s too late. A fence’s boards may rot and decay over time as a result of weed growth at the base of the fence. Cutting off climbing vines will help your fences last longer even though they may be attractive.
yearly upkeep advice
At the very least once a year, we advise cleaning your cedar fencing installations. This can take the form of a quick hose wash or a deeper clean using power washers. To further clean the fence surface, many homeowners like to add bleach or dish soap to their solution.
Aside from that, it’s always a good idea to periodically inspect your fence for any obvious signs of damage. Replace any boards as needed and ensure that no warping is taking place.
It makes sense to want to maintain your fence in the best condition possible once you have it installed on your property because investing in a new fence can take a lot of time and money. Unfortunately, without routine maintenance, any fence, regardless of its material, may require replacement earlier than anticipated.
This is particularly valid for cedar fences. One of the main causes for replacing a cedar fence is dry rot. It’s crucial to be aware of strategies for preventing rot on cedar fences, particularly in Colorado where there is a mix of wet weather like rain and snow. You’ll be able to keep your fence in top condition for a longer period of time with the right maintenance and repairs.
Advice for avoiding rot
There are a few things you can do both before and after having a fence installe on your property in order to stop your cedar fence from rotting.
- If possible, try to get rid of any water source that might result in the fence get wet. When watering the grass, make sure that neither your sprinklers nor your hose are point at your fence and that water that collects close to the bottom of the fence can drain quickly.
- Remove any debris or old leaves. If the leaves become wet and are then expose to the sun, which creates a warm, moist environment ideal for the growth of fungus, this can lead to rotting near the base of the fence, especia during the summer.
- Use a sealant or primer, if your fence doesn’t already have one, to keep moisture out. Although it’s best to do this while the fence is being construct, you can still seal it after the fence put in place.
- Make sure to place the fence posts in a dry area of the yard rather than a location with inadequate sunlight or water drainage.
- The combination of gravel and dirt will enable water to drain away more quickly than if there is only soil, so use it around the fence posts.
- Request that the tops of the fence posts be slightly angl by your fencing contractor. This makes it so that rain or snow will run off the fence instead of soaking into the wood.
What if my fence has rot already?
Sadly, your cedar fence may already have some water damage if you didn’t take the right steps to stop it from rotting. You can keep an eye on any areas that appear to be affect by moisture by regular inspecting your deck. You should probably call your Colorado Springs fencing contractor to see if your fence needs to be repair or replac if it appears gray in color or is start to rot.