Stopping Wood Rot on Your Fence

An average of 54 inches of rain falls in DeBary, Florida, each year. That rain falls usually falls for 120 days annually. August is the wettest month of the year with rain falling on seven or eight days. The damp climate in DeBary makes the perfect place for wood rot to ruin fences. There are steps, however, that you can take to protect your fence from wood rot.

Spot the Damage

The first step in stopping wood rot is to spot the damage already done to your fence. In the DeBary area, people see two different types of wood rot. The first type is wet rot, and it is characterized by cracking and softening of the wood in the fence. Often there is a fungus growing on the fence, and you may smell a musty smell. The second type of wood rot is dry rot, which is characterized by brittle wood and a change in the wood’s color. You may also smell a musty smell, which is an indication that your fence is actively rotting. This type of rot happens particularly to wood fences that sit in the sun all day.

Clean the Fence

If the rot is minor, then you may be able to clean it away. Use a wire brush to clean any areas that have caked up dirt or other debris fastened to the fence. Then, use a power washer to clean the fence. The power washer should be set to deliver under 1500 pounds per square inch water pressure, and it should have a fan tip. When power washing your fence, start at the top and work your way to the bottom using long sideways strokes.

Stain the Fence

The next step is to decide if you need to stain your fence. Grab your garden hose and spray a little water on the fence. If you see tiny beads, then your stain is still in great shape. If there are no beads present, then you need to stain the fence. Opaque stains tend to last longer, but you may want to opt for other stains to make your fence more beautiful. Clear sealers do not provide ultraviolet protection, and they generally wear off the fastest.

Keep the Fence Clean

Now that you have your fence looking great again make sure that it stays that way by cleaning it regularly. Pull weeds and grass away from the fence line as they tend to be where the rot starts. Wash your fence with either a power washer or by hand regularly.

If you notice a lot of rot on your fence, then you may need a new one. You may also need to replace parts of your fence that are most heavily damaged. If you need fence repair or a new one built, call a fence contractor in Orlando. The best fence contractor in Orlando is Byers Fence.