How to Keep a Wooden Privacy Fence Clean
Keeping wooden privacy fences clean involves more than simply spraying them off with a garden hose. Over time, dirt, weather and age cause damage. If you do not take steps to keep wooden fences clean and protected, they may eventually require expensive repairs and replacement. Here are some regular cleaning and maintenance tips that will help you protect your investment, and your privacy. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Power washer
- Waterproof wood sealer
- Medium-nap paint roller
- 2-inch paintbrush
Instructions
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1
Using a power washer, spray the fence in even strokes, taking care to spend extra time in corners where dirt and debris accumulate.
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Wait at least 24 hours for the wood to dry before sealing it.
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3
Apply the waterproofing sealer to the fence with a medium-nap paint roller, just as you would if you were painting a wall. This sealer also helps repel dirt.
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4
Run a 2-inch brush along the recently stained section of fencing to make sure the sealer penetrates the tiny cracks and holes in the wood.
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Once the fence is sealed and protected, keep it clean by spraying it down with a garden hose once a month.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't spend hundreds of dollars on a new power washer. Home-improvement stores rent them by the hour relatively inexpensively.
Keep an eye on the forecast. If it rains within one or two days after you apply a sealer, you will have to reapply it.
Always wear a protective respirator mask, even though you are outside. Waterproof sealers emit heavy volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that damage lungs and airways.
