Summer is now officially here. If you haven’t tackled certain fence maintenance tasks already, you’ll want to do so now. Hit them within the next week or so to make the most of your beautiful, fence-enclosed back yard for the rest of the season.
If you have a wooden fence…
Check its appearance.
It may just need to be cleaned and brightened. However, if it’s been a couple of years since you last addressed your fence there’s a good chance it will need a solid pressure washing.
Once you’ve pressure washed your fence you’ll need to decide whether you want to paint it or stain it. We honestly recommend staining the fence as a good oil-based stain will last longer and will resist damage longer. We’ve devoted a guide to helping you pick the right wood stain.
Either way, the goal is to keep it from turning into an ugly grey mess.
If you have a vinyl fence…
Vinyl doesn’t need a lot of care, unless someone has tagged it with graffiti. Still, it’s important to clean it every now and then, and summer’s as good a time as any to tackle this task.
This is also a good time to check your vinyl fence for scratches and dents. It is possible to repair these problems, even if you managed to hit your fence with a weed whacker.
See: How to Repair a Vinyl Fence.
If you have a dog…
Fence owners who are also dog owners will need to take a few extra steps. If you want to keep your dog in your yard this is a good time to check the lower perimeter of the fence. Fill in any holes you find. Then? Choose a method that stops your dog from digging beneath your fence once and for all.
If your fence is leaning or is in terrible shape…
Winter can be hard on some fences. And every fence has a lifespan. Sooner or later yours may need a serious repair or even a replacement. You can try the DIY route, but at this point it’s usually better to involve a qualified professional.
Don’t worry. If you just need a repair we’ll tell you so and we’ll help you out. We spend a lot of time helping homeowners choose between repairing and replacing their fences.
We’ll give you a free quote either way, and you can decide what you want to do…no surprises.
Most of these tasks won’t take very long. You can get back to enjoying your summer in no time. But let’s face it. It’s hard to kick back with a glass of cold lemonade if you’re staring at an unsightly fence. A little time and care can help you with that, and then you’ve got the rest of the season to spend guilt-free time in your back yard.
