Wood fences can be a stunning addition to any residential or commercial property. However, keeping them in excellent condition requires a bit of know-how. While keeping your fence in good shape may seem like a straightforward proposition, there is often a decent bit of planning involved; preventative maintenance is key for any wood feature of your home, and your wood fence (and its gate!) is no exception. In this blog, we discuss some preventative maintenance tips and best practices to keep your wood fence gate looking its best from season to season.
Is Your Wood Fence Gate Working?
One of the easiest things to notice is whether or not your wood fence gate is working correctly. Many busy homeowners will stick their heads in the sand and ignore problems with their property, especially if the issues don’t seem urgent. However, this often allows problems to progress to the point that repair is extensive and costly. As soon as you notice a problem with your wood fence gate, inspect it and address the issue. If your wood fence gate has safety features that are not working or it is broken in a way that makes it unusable or unsafe, contact a fence repair professional without delay.
Clean and Inspect Your Gate (and the Rest of Your Fence)
The first step in any fence maintenance routine is to clean and inspect the barrier. However, with a wood fence gate, this often involves knowing what to look for on both metal and wood fence components. When cleaning your wood fence gate, use a hose or power washer along with a cleaning solution to remove any dirt, mold, or other grime that may obstruct your view. Once you can see every inch of your fence, look for any signs of damage. Keep an eye out for rust or chipping paint on metal components, and look for termite damage, excessive mold growth, sagging, or other structural damage on the wood portions of your fence. If a repair or replacement parts are needed, work with an experienced fencing contractor.
Attend to Your Gate’s Paint or Finish
If everything looks like it’s in good condition upon inspection, consider refreshing your fence gate’s paint or finish. While chipping paint or dull, worn sections of varnish may not be at the top of your list of priorities, your fence’s finish is a critical barrier between it and the elements. Maintaining this barrier is an essential part of preserving your fence and prolonging its lifespan.
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.