Tips For Keeping Your Cedar Picket Fence Looking As Good As New

If you've decided that a cedar wood fence is right for you, you're likely invested in keeping it looking good as long as possible. Lucky for you, that's easy to do with some basic maintenance. You'll want to keep your fence clean, sturdy and, depending on your personal preference, vibrant for as long as possible.

When it comes to cleaning, you should give your fence a good scrub annually. There are a few different methods you could use, but they all start with pulling any weeds away from your fence, protecting plants from your cleaning solution, and removing any nearby furniture or debris. DIY options for cleaning solutions include warm water and ammonia-free dish soap, one part bleach to three parts warm water, or a combination of baking soda and distilled vinegar. Before you start cleaning, make sure to wear appropriate eye protection and gloves. Apply your cleaner with a scrub brush or sprayer, then let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing the fence with your garden hose. Alternatively, you could choose to use a pressure washer to give your space a deeper clean. In that case, you'll want to keep it at low pressure, preferably around 500 to 800 psi. You can go up to 1,500 psi for more stubborn spots, but anything beyond this could cause damage to the soft wood.

As you're cleaning your fence, you may notice some mildew, mold, or stains that require some additional scrubbing or the use of a stronger cleaning method. You may also notice some black streaks, which are caused by the tannins in the wood interacting with metal. To avoid this, opt for galvanized or stainless steel fasteners when constructing a cedar wood fence. To get rid of these marks, you'll need to use an oxalic acid cleaner. Again, be sure to wear appropriate protection.

While cedar is a rot-resistant wood, you'll still want to take steps to protect your fence over time. You can't do anything about the weather, but you can make sure your sprinkler doesn't spray your fence and provide additional moisture that could increase the chances of rot. You'll also want to make sure that any plants growing along your fence have about a 1 foot buffer so that the plants don't trap moisture against the wood. Plants that grow through the fence can also weaken the structure, which is another reason to keep the weeds away. If you do notice any damaged or rotten boards on your fence, you'll want to fix these pickets as soon as possible. You can also protect the underground portion of your fence posts by applying a wood preservative at the base.

Applying a stain or sealer can offer some additional protection to your cedar fence's boards. If you prefer to keep the reddish-brown color of your cedar fence, staining it every three to five years can ensure that the hue will last longer. Over time, however, cedar naturally weathers to a gray color, which some people actually prefer. Unlike paint, stain seeps into the wood, helping to seal out moisture and protect against rot and cracking. Because of this, adding a few layers of stain can be beneficial, even if you're going for the weathered look. To mimic it while still protecting your wood, opt for a cool-toned or transparent stain.

Staining your fence starts with the cleaning process. Once you're done, wait 24 hours to let the wood fully dry. You'll also want to allow each coat of stain (you should use at least two) to dry for 24 hours before applying the next one. Opt for an oil-based stain to prevent potential blotchiness, as water-based stains can interact negatively with the cedar's natural oils. If you're going for a more subtle look, opt for a semi-transparent stain. These will allow you to see the wood grain while still providing protection against the sun's UV rays, helping to prevent your fence from dulling over time. You can apply the stain with a brush, roller, or paint sprayer. If you follow these tips, your cedar fence should look good for years to come.