We’re going to tell you what you can do to keep your wood fence from rotting.
A wood fence can last you for many years with proper care. That said, without proper maintenance, the inverse can become true, and your fence may not last nearly as long as you would hope. While fence rotting is a fairly well-known threat that wooden fences have, not all homeowners understand what can cause rotting to occur. What people can do to prevent rotting is also not universally known, so we’re going to tell you what you can do to keep your wood fence from rotting.
Stain Your Wood Fence to Keep Rotting From Happening
A lot of people believe that exposure to moisture is the only thing that can ever cause a wood fence to start rotting. This is not always how rot occurs. While wet rot is definitely a concern for wooden fences, dry rot is another problem altogether. Dry rot involves a gradual loss of a sealant or stain. Without the sealant or stain, a fence can be more susceptible to damage.
Dry rotting will happen as a result of too much exposure to sun and wind, which can be more prevalent than an excess of rain that causes wet rotting. If you’re worried about dry rotting, make sure you stain your wood fence.
Rot-Resistant Materials
When having a fence installed, try to get it made out of materials that are resistant to rotting. Options such as cedar and redwood are appealing for this reason. While you can go with cheaper options, we don’t recommend this because you may not get the same level of quality otherwise. Investing the extra dollar now will let your wood fence last much longer, which in turn will allow it to save you money in the long run.
If you go with treated wood, your fence will have more longevity because you will be addressing the wood rotting problem in a proactive manner rather than a reactive one.
Addressing Rotting Areas
Routine maintenance is incredibly helpful for keeping your wood fence in good condition. If you replace rotting areas of your fence, you keep the rotting from spreading to other areas. The sooner you find fence rot, the better. As a bonus, you also help prevent insects from taking over your fence by undergoing regular maintenance. Well-maintained fences last far longer than ones that aren’t maintained, so it’s good to keep up with maintenance, even if fence rot isn’t your primary concern.
Contact Albaugh & Sons
Since 2003, Albaugh & Sons, LLC, has been dedicated to meeting the fencing, decking, and home remodeling needs of homeowners throughout the greater Frederick area. All of our team members are experienced, well-trained, and committed to exceeding the expectations of every customer.
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