2 Ways To Care For Your Fencing Over The Winter
Posted on: 23 October 2017
Winter can cause quite a bit of damage to the fencing surrounding your yard. After you have spent so much time and money installing the fencing, you want to make sure that it remains in the best condition for as long as possible. Here are a couple tips that can help you get your fencing through winter without it suffering damage.
Care for Wooden Fencing
Wooden fencing can be the hardest to take care of, especially over the winter. Due to excessive use of rock salt to keep roads clear, the fencing that borders your yard along the road can take the brunt of the abuse over the next few months. Salt can cause the wood to become discolored and crack as it dries out.
You can protect the front of your fence using burlap sheets. You could also use plastic, but the burlap will look better and withstand the wind, snow and ice much better.
When you get a break in the weather, drag out your garden hose and give the fence a good cleaning. The key is to keep as much of the salt from embedding itself into the wood grains as possible. Now, don't pressure wash it unless you are prepared to apply a coat of sealant to it – simply using a spray nozzle with semi-high pressure settings is all that should be needed.
Tip: To make the cleaning process easier, apply a fresh coat of sealant to the fence just before winter sets in. The fresher the sealant, the better the wood will resist the water you are using for cleaning and the less the salt will become embedded in the material.
Mark Small Fences
Some areas are commonly hit with very heavy snow storms. These storms can dump several inches of snow in just a few short hours. If your fencing is short, you should mark it using flags or poles that extend well above the highest point of the fence. This will help you locate the fencing when the snow gets piled high as it falls, as you shovel and as the plows push the snow off of the road.
Consider using bicycle flags for this. They can quickly be attached to the fencing using zip-ties and removed soon after winter has finally made its way out of your neighborhood for the year.
If you need more help preparing and caring for your fence over the winter, talk with your local fencing professional, such as from Tyson Fence Co.
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