Before winter hits, you’re probably spending all your time trying to protect your home against the harmful effects of winter winds and snow. But don’t forget: If you’re trying to keep your house dry and cozy and boost curb appeal at the same time, you simply can’t neglect your outdoor area during the colder months. Whether the fence in your yard is brand new, courtesy of fence installation richmond, or has seen better days, it’s important to take care of it if you want to save money and keep your home looking great. Remember, it’s not enough just to clean your fence every six months. If you want your outdoor structures to survive the winter, you’ll need to put in a bit of extra care before the chill sets in. While you’re doing the rest of your weatherproofing this fall, here are a few things you can do to help your fence stay strong until spring.
Inspect
Before you know how to protect your fence against the elements, you need to look at what’s already going on with your structure. What are its weaknesses? Are there any broken or chipped parts that could be fixed before winter hits? Are you noticing any rotting or warping? Do certain areas need to be sanded or repainted? If so, now’s the time to do it. The stronger your fence is before the winter, the better it will be able to withstand the harsh winds and freezing temperatures that are to come.
Respect
Now that you’ve fixed any broken or loose parts, you can start giving your fence a weatherproof makeover. Start by scrubbing away any rust from aluminum fences and apply some wood putty to wood fences. Power wash your fence to make sure it’s squeaky-clean and free of moss and mildew. If your hinges are rusty or need to be replaced, now is the time to take care of it. Once your fence is clean, you can start prepping the structure for the long winter ahead.
Protect
Since different fence materials will have different reactions to the weather, you’ll want to make sure you’re applying the right coating. After you’ve cleaned your fence thoroughly and fixed all the vulnerable areas, you can dust or spray your structure with some weatherproof material. For wood, this means coating your fence in a bleach and detergent mixture that will help fight off mold and moisture absorption. For aluminum fences, use a powder coating to help preserve your fence, and use an anti-rust spray on your hinges.
Don’t Neglect
Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean you shouldn’t spend some extra time giving your fence the once-over. While doing the right preventative maintenance is hugely important, you don’t want to neglect your fence for the next four months or so. When you have the time, and when the weather permits, spray some more anti-rust solution on your fence and clean some of the dirt off of the surface. Even if you do smaller tweaks, you’ll be helping your fence stay strong and healthy without putting in a ton of time and effort once spring comes around.
