As the ground finally thaws and spring slowly moves into the city, everyone starts turning their attention to spring cleaning. We all like to freshen the house by opening the windows and scrubbing the floors, but people often focus too, on their front and backyards as the weather starts to warm up.
Spring cleanups and flowers can do a lot to improve the look of any landscape, but if you have a fence for added privacy, security, or to simply add a bit of elegance to your property, spring is a great time to work on maintaining it so it can last for many years to come.
Spring Cleaning Tips For Your Fence
Any reliable fence company in Chicago will tell you that in order to maintain a beautiful, sturdy fence you should keep up with maintenance. Not all fence materials need the same upkeep as others, so the way you clean your fence and take care of it once the snow melts and the ground thaws will vary depending on what kind of fence you have on your property.
Vinyl Fences
Vinyl fences are a breeze to maintain but after a harsh Chicago winter, the material has likely gathered grime, dirt, and watermarks. A thorough cleaning will have your fence looking like new again. Soapy water and a rag or sponge can go a long way in removing buildup, as can a powerful spray with the garden hose. Power washing can make the job even easier.
Wood Fences
Wood fences require a little more TLC. Wood is affected far more drastically than vinyl by moisture and changing weather conditions. Power washing is a suitable method for removing heavy amounts of dirt or grime, but fungus or mold should be treated with a solution made with bleach or rubbing alcohol to kill the bacteria. Wear gloves to protect your skin and use a scrubbing brush.
After cleaning the wood, allow it to dry before applying a fresh stain. If your fence is painted, avoid using a power washer and only apply fresh paint to chipped areas after scraping, washing, and drying. Also, do a full inspection to make sure there are no broken boards, gaps, holes, or warping in your fence.
Metal fences, like a chain link, are susceptible to rust. A good way to prevent this is to clean your fence before rust occurs. Using steel wool and rust cleaning products typically found online or at hardware stores can go a long way in keeping your chain link fence looking like new. Dirt and grime can be removed using a simple soap and water mixture. Do not forget to inspect the posts and look for loose or damaged parts. Tighten bolts, replace screws or nails, and coat hinges, joints, springs, etc. with mineral oil.
If you have a wrought iron fence, come springtime it is important to wash the fence thoroughly with soap and water. Once you have rinsed the fence, look for chipped paint and scrape off what is loose. Use a wire brush with a thin handle to get to hard-to-reach areas like curves and crevices. Use sandpaper or steel wool to remove rust. Rinse these areas and allow them to dry before painting with heavy-duty primer and paint.
Contact Your Chicago Fence Company
Even with proper care and upkeep fences do age over time, and sometimes replacement is the only option. Are you looking to have a new fence put in or replace an old one? Perhaps you simply need help repairing the fence you already love. If so, look no further than Top Line Fence. We are an experienced and reliable fence company in Chicago, Illinois helping customers build and maintain their fences throughout the city and nearby suburbs. Contact us at 773-637-2122 for a free quote.
