Do you have a fence at your home or business? If so, you are already aware of how helpful it can be. Not only does it act as a protective barrier that keeps out intruders, but it also boosts your property’s value and increases its curb appeal. However, this is only true if your fence is in good condition. If your fence is actually dirty and smothered with debris, it will actually hurt your property instead of helping it. Don’t worry, though. In this blog, we’ll review how to pressure wash a fence, the benefits of doing so, and whether you should DIY or schedule professional services!
We are Revive Paver Restoration, and we are proud to be Riverview, FL’s first choice for fence cleaning services. We welcome you to reach out to us if you would like our experts to restore your fence. We’ll complete the work to your satisfaction, and for a fair price, too.
Why Should Fences Be Cleaned?
Still not sure why you should learn how to pressure wash a fence? Maybe you have a fence that hasn’t been cleaned in years. Why should you bother maintaining it now? Even if you haven’t realized it, your fence has been gathering various forms of debris. This debris includes dirt, moss, mold, algae, pollen, dead insects, bird droppings, and more. This mess will only continue to grow—and your fence’s overall appearance will suffer. Do you really want a dull, drab-looking fence that drags down your property’s beauty?
Another reason you should clean your fence is to increase its lifespan. Yes, that’s right! Fence cleaning helps your fence last longer. This is because debris slowly erodes your fence, and by removing this debris, you’ll prevent damage from happening. This also saves you money in the long run because you won’t have to pay for costly repairs. If you are frugal-minded, you won’t want to miss out on fence cleaning!
How Often Should Fences Be Cleaned?
The frequency of fence cleaning varies from property to property. Generally, annual fence cleaning is a safe bet, keeping your fence in visually appealing and safe condition. However, some properties may benefit from having their fences cleaned more often. For example, if you are located near a construction site or busy road, your fence is at a higher risk of becoming dirty and may need two or three cleanings per year.
Has it already been longer than a year since your fence was washed? If so, it is definitely overdue for a cleaning! Either learn how to pressure wash a fence or schedule an appointment with us to resolve this dilemma.
What You’ll Need For Fence Cleaning
What tools will you need to learn how to pressure wash a fence? The most important piece of equipment is a pressure washer. This specialized machine connects to a water source and pressurizes water so it is strong enough to remove debris from your fence. Pressure washers typically have an adjustable dial that lets you choose your desired water pressure, as well as a soap tank that you can use to add a pressure washing detergent.
Make sure you also have the following items:
- Hose and Nozzle – So you can spray jets of pressurized water at your fence.
- Cleaning Solutions – Sodium hypochlorite helps you break down tough grime.
- Safety Gear – Wear gloves, goggles, pants, and closed-toe shoes.
How to Pressure Wash a Fence Step by Step
Once you have all the necessary equipment, make sure you give yourself enough time to clean your fence. The amount of time you’ll need depends on the size of your fence, so plan accordingly and don’t put yourself in a position where you need to rush. Rushing leads to an increased chance of low-quality results.
First, choose an appropriate amount of water pressure for the job. The correct setting depends on what kind of fence you are cleaning. Refer to this guide:
- Vinyl / PVC: 1200–1600 PSI
- Wood (softwoods): 500–1200 PSI
- Composite: 1000–1500 PSI
- Metal (aluminum, iron): 1500–2500 PSI
- Chain Link: 2000–3000 PSI
Next, add detergent to your pressure washer’s tank and begin washing the fence. We recommend working in top-to-bottom columns, slightly overlapping each pass as you go. (This ensures that no surface area is accidentally left unwashed.) If you come across any stubborn debris that doesn’t wash away at first, don’t worry. There’s an easy way to remove it. Simply apply sodium hypochlorite to the area and wait fifteen minutes. After this time has passed, tough debris will be weakened, allowing you to simply rinse it away.
Challenges of DIY Pressure Washing
While learning how to pressure wash a fence, you will encounter a number of difficulties. For example, you might have to deal with all the problems below:
- Time crunch. When you already have a busy schedule, finding room for DIY fence cleaning can be incredibly difficult, if not downright impossible.
- Lack of energy. Do you come home tired from a demanding job every day? If so, the last thing you’ll want to do with your free time is DIY fence cleaning.
- The learning curve. You can’t just pick up a pressure washing hose and instantly know how to use it. It takes experience and training.
If you feel discouraged from learning how to pressure wash a fence, don’t worry. You don’t have to. By reaching out to Revive Paver Restoration, you’ll ensure that your fence is completely revitalized without having to clean it on your own. How convenient is that?
Getting Started With Us
If you would like to schedule an appointment with Revive Paver Restoration, simply contact us online with information about your fence. We will get back to you as soon as possible with a free cost estimate, and then, you can choose a time and date for our arrival. Expect to see us then—we won’t be late! Then, feel free to sit back and watch as we transform your fence from filthy to spotless. You’ll be amazed by the final results—or your money back.
