How to Restore a Fence

 

Maintaining and restoring fences ensures your property has security and remains attractive. A damaged fence can allow pests to enter your yard or allow your pets to escape. It is important to restore your fences to maintain your property, meet Homeowners Association regulations and bylaws, and improve the appearance of your home and property . 

A fence restoration can be a simple DIY project with the proper tools and a bit of elbow grease. The restoration process for a fence is dependent upon the type of fence installed on your property. 

Beitzell Fence Company takes great pride in providing high-quality fences in the Northern Virginia area. We are a family-owned and operated business for the past 30 years providing residential and commercial fencing services. If you need repairs from a reputable fence company that has been loved by your community for decades, call us to handle it.

In the article below we detail how to do restorations for the main types of fences made from wood, aluminum, or vinyl. 

Restoring Wood Fences

Wood fences are relatively inexpensive and can provide privacy and security. Beitzell Fence Company recommends a wood fence when you need an inexpensive option. Wood fences require a bit of maintenance and restoration over time. It is important to regularly assess your wood fence and determine if there is any damage to fence posts, wood slats, or loose boards. 

Assessing the condition of your wood fence is important to ensure the fence is intact to protect your property for privacy and security prior to pressure washing and painting/staining the fence. 

In order to restore your wood fence, there are a few items you may need to assess damage to the wood fence, e.g. if there are missing or broken slats that need repair. Wood fences may also need to be stained and/or painted, unlike aluminum and vinyl fences. 

Tools and Materials You May Need: 

• Power/Pressure Washer – can be purchased at any home improvement store, superstore, or online retailer 
• Garden Hose
• Sander – an electric sander will be most efficient, but sanding can be done manually
• Extension cord – for power/pressure washer
• Drill
• Nails and/or screws
• Pliers
• Paint rollers and/or brushes
• Paint sprayer
• Wood Stain
• Paint
• Garden Gloves
• Clothes that can get dirty
• Safety glasses or goggles

Wood fences require a power washer treatment to remove dirt, debris, bird droppings, mold, lichen, and more. It is important to thoroughly clean the wood fence before painting or staining it. Repair any posts or broken slats with your drill or pliers before you paint or stain the wood fence. Sand the wood so that a fresh coat of paint or wood stain will adhere to the wood. Follow the directions on your wood-safe paint or stain to ensure your fence is restored correctly. You can decide to manually paint your fence with rollers or brushes, or use a paint sprayer that cuts the time it will take to repair and restore your fence to its new condition. Ensure you are wearing clothes that can get dirty as wood paint or stain may ruin nice clothes. Protect your hands by wearing garden gloves. Wear safety glasses or goggles to protect your eyes when painting or spraying. 

This process may need to be repeated every few years. Typically, homeowners may find they can power wash wood annually or semi-annually to maintain a clean outdoor space. Restoration and proper maintenance of your wooden fence can make sure it lasts for 20 to 30 years. If you prefer to have help, Beitzell Fence Company offers maintenance services for fences. 

Restoring an Aluminum Fence

An aluminum fence can make a home look regal and prestigious. They are made of metal posts and slats. They are excellent fences for residential areas as well as commercial properties. An aluminum fence is easy to maintain and lasts decades with proper care and restoration of the fence. Beitzell Fence Company offers maintenance services for your residential and commercial aluminum fences. 

In order to restore your aluminum fence, you only need a few household items that you may already have on hand. 

Tools and Materials You May Need: 

• All Purpose Cleaning Vinegar
• Water
• Non-abrasive sponge, microfiber cloth, and/or towel
• Large Bucket (5-gallon buckets can be purchased at most home improvement stores)
• Garden Hose
• Rubber Gloves 

A vinegar and water solution is the best method to restore aluminum fences. Vinegar is a household product that most consumers may already have in their kitchen. Vinegar with 5% acidity is often used for cooking. All-purpose cleaning vinegar is more acidic at 6% to cut down grime and bacteria. It is important to wear gloves to prevent the vinegar from irritating the skin, especially for those who have contact dermatitis. Power or pressure washers may be too harsh for an aluminum fence. A non-abrasive sponge, microfiber cloth, or towel should be used on the aluminum to protect the fence. 

Mix the vinegar and water in a 5-gallon bucket. The solution will get rid of the chalky residue that is common with aluminum fences due to corrosion over time. Wash off the solution with a garden hose. This process is quick and efficient to restore your aluminum fence. 

Restoring a Vinyl Fence

Vinyl fences are easy to maintain and clean making them great investments in any residential home or property. They are made of vinyl posts and slats. Vinyl fences are also resistant to damage as the slats will bend, making them easier to fix rather than having to replace the fence. Beitzell Fence Company offers warranties on our vinyl fences to protect the investment in your property. 

In order to restore your vinyl fence, you only need a few household and gardening items that you may already have on hand. 

Tools and Materials You May Need: 

• Power/Pressure Washer- can be purchased at any home improvement store, superstore, or online retailer 
• Extension cord – for power/pressure washer
• Magic Eraser
• All Purpose Cleaning Vinegar
• Water
• Large Bucket – 5-gallon buckets can be purchased at most home improvement stores
• Garden Hose
• Rubber Gloves

Power washers are safe to use on vinyl fences to remove tough stains. It is important to check the PSI of your power washer before using it. For a vinyl fence, use a magic eraser (available at most grocery stores, home improvement stores, superstores, or online retailers) to remove tough stains on the vinyl fence. Similar to the process for aluminum fences, you may also use a vinegar and water solution to clean a vinyl fence. Ensure your hands are protected when handling vinegar to avoid skin irritation. 

Contact Us

Beitzell Fence Company is an all-in-one fencing company that offers a full service to meet your fencing needs, whether your project is for a residential home or commercial property. Contact Beitzell Fence Company today for a free estimate on all your fencing needs. We provide a full service for all of your fencing needs from the initial design of the fencing project, the installation of the fence, and the maintenance over time. We offer warranties to back our products and services so that you can rest assured your fence will last for years to come.