When you consider wood fence maintenance, do you give any thought to the state of your gate? While gates are not incorporated into every fence’s design, they are an incredibly useful feature. If your fence has a gate, you should inspect and maintain it regularly. There are a few steps you can take to ensure that your wood fence gate stays standing for years to come. Follow these wood fence gate maintenance tips for a healthy fence, and make sure to contact the experts at Hercules Fence of Richmond for fence installation, repair, and maintenance.
Inspect Your Wood Fence Gate Regularly
The first step to solving and preventing fence maintenance issues is examining your fence regularly for any signs of damage or decay. You should already have an inspection and maintenance routine for your wood fence. Make it a habit to clean your fence and wood fence gate periodically so that you can adequately examine them for any physical defects or changes.
Examine Fasteners and Hardware
Unlike most wood fence panels, gates have hinges, locks, and other hardware that are integral to their operation. These parts can become damaged or fail over time. Pay special attention to your wood fence gate’s hardware when inspecting your fence. Make sure that the hinges, latches, and locks are all operating as they should be. Check metal hardware for signs of rust or corrosion, and inspect the areas where these pieces screw into the wood to ensure that the wooden parts of your fence are intact.
Ensure that Safety Features are Functional
Some fences and gates are equipped with safety features like locks, lights, alarms, or automatic openers. Include these features in your inspection. The fencing professionals at Hercules Fence of Richmond can help you install or repair your wood fence gate’s locks and other safety features.
Refinish and Clean as Needed
Just like the other parts of your wood fence, your wood fence gate will need to be cleaned and refinished to prevent decay. Wood stain, paint, and varnish are all excellent options to finish your fence and keep moisture, insects, and fungus from damaging the wood. You should consult a fence expert to help determine when and how often you should strip, sand, and refinish your fence and gate.
Hercules Fence is Here to Help
No matter what type of fence you have decided on, Hercules Fences has the expertise and equipment to construct your dream fence. Our experienced team can help meet your fencing needs, whether they are residential or commercial, for the right price. We proudly serve Albemarle County, Amelia, Ashland, Augusta, Buckingham, Caroline, Charles City, Charlottesville, Chester County, Chesterfield County, Colonial Heights, Cumberland County Dinwiddle County, Fluvanna County, and Fort Lee, Virginia, VA. Give us a call at 804-752-7992 or visit us online. To see examples of our work and keep in touch, don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Flickr, and Pinterest.