How Can You Keep Your Wood Fence From Rotting?
Rot is your worst enemy when it comes to your home's wooden fence. It has an effect on the appearance and aesthetic appeal of your fence, as well as the power and rigidity of your fence. And, since wooden fences are often in contact with ground soil for long periods of time, rot may seem to be unavoidable.
However, there are a few things you can do to keep rot from spreading through your home's fence. Understanding what kind of rot the fence is susceptible to is the first and most critical step in preventing it.
Wet rot and dry rot are the two forms of rot. Wet rot is caused by moisture coming into contact with wood on a daily basis. The most popular place for this to happen is at the base of your fence, where the fence posts collide with the ground underneath them.
Wet rot can be identified by cracking and softening in your wood. There may be a moist musty odor or fungal growth present as well.
Dry rot, on the other hand, is caused by the wood being continuously exposed to harsh, dry conditions, as the name implies. The sun and hot winds literally dry out your fence by extracting protective oils from the wood's surface.
If your wood is brittle and dry. If it's simple to break. If you hold the pieces in your lap, they will crumble. It's most likely dry rot. A damp, musty odor can also be detected, which is caused by the active deterioration of the fence.
When selecting fencing materials, keep rot in mind.
Consider using rot-resistant or hardy materials when building a new fence for your house. The type of material you choose now will have a significant impact in the future.
Cedar, juniper, redwood, and cypress are examples of hardy wooden materials. Pine, tamarack, and Douglas fir are some of the woods that aren't as hardy. Treated wood will also help keep your fence safe from rot and termites.
It may also be worthwhile to investigate wood alternatives. Colorbond® Steel and Smartfence Steel fences, for example, are fully rot resistant.
As required, stain your fence.
Staining your fence on a regular basis will help keep rot at bay. At least once a year, we suggest staining your wooden fence. However, depending on a variety of environmental variables, you can need to stain your fence more or less regularly. The average temperature in your field, the amount of rainfall, the soil around your fence, and other environmental factors are among them.
Spraying the fence with water is a safe way to see if it wants a fresh stain. If the water beads on the wood's surface, your stain is still good. If the water has soaked into the wood's interior, it's time to give your fence a fresh coat of stain.
Maintain a Debris-Free Fence
Moisture-laden debris can cause rot to spread quickly. Debris will penetrate your fence through tiny cracks and crevices due to damp leaves, grasses, and plants, among other things. And rot starts when dirt and soil get into these crevices.
As a result, keeping the fence free of leaves and grime is one of the most important ways to avoid rot. This can be accomplished with a little upkeep and by cleaning and washing your wooden fence on a regular basis.
As soon as rot-affected sections appear, replace them.
If your fence starts to rust, you can stop it from spreading by removing the affected parts. You'll almost certainly be replacing the fence's main posts. When your fence posts come into contact with the earth, rot also starts. The supplies and equipment needed to replace fence posts can be found at your nearest hardware store.
Alternatively, you can employ a specialist to complete the task at a reasonably low cost. However, since rot spreads easily, it is critical to do so at the first sign of rot.
When replacing rot-affected parts, give the rest of your fence a good clean and a fresh coat of stain for the best rot defense.
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