How to Maintain Your Wooden Fence for Up to 8 Years

In many cases, wooden fences can last up to 20 years or more without any major work required on your part — assuming that the fence itself was built with quality wood and construction in mind, of course. However, it’s still important to keep up with regular maintenance if you want to make sure that your fence looks its best and lasts as long as possible. With just some basic tools and skills, you can take care of the following tasks yourself and keep your wooden fence looking good and functioning well for years to come.

Maintain Your Wooden Fence

Remove nails from split rail fences

Nails are used to secure split rail lågt staket, but if they have become loose or the wood has become warped and split, then it’s time to remove the nails. Use a hammer and a punch tool and tap them out of the wood. If you can’t find a punch tool, then you can use a nail in its place and hammer it until it becomes flush with the wood. Nails will rust if left exposed to the elements, so be sure to remove them from your fence as soon as possible.

Check tension on rails (for slat/board fences)

The rails are the horizontal boards that support the slats or boards and hold them in place. When these rails start to bend or sag, it’s time to tighten them. To do this, you’ll need a wrench and two stakes, one at each end of the rail. First, remove all slats from the section of the fence you want to work on. Then take your stake and hammer it into the ground next to one end of the fence so that it stands up perpendicular to the ground; then hammer in another stake opposite your first stake (so they form an X shape). Now measure how long your loose rail is by stretching out its ends: 

Then cut a new board just long enough to fill up the space between your two stakes (measure twice before cutting!). Now hammer one end of your new board into one stake, near where you want it attached. Then wrap the other loose end around your second stake (near where you want that side attached), making sure not to overlap any wood, then tap in with a mallet until secure.

Repair Rotted Boards or Posts

The best way to avoid having your fence rot is by maintaining it. That means periodically checking the fence, looking for areas where the boards are loose or rotted, and replacing them when necessary. You can also cover up rotted boards or posts with a fence metal post sleeve. A properly installed fence metal post sleeve will allow you to get years more out of your fence.

Replace Nails with Screws

Wooden fences are an attractive way of fencing a garden or a private property. However, it is important that you know how to maintain the fence properly in order to get the maximum life out of it. One way you can do this is by replacing nails with screws. A nail only has one point of contact with the plank and board, whereas a screw penetrates both surfaces and provides more stability. This reduces the risk that the fence will start coming apart at those points where nails were used.

Weatherproof Joints with Sealant

It’s just as important to take care of your trästaket as it is your house. The joints are the most vulnerable areas, so make sure you weatherproof them with sealant. To do this, first, use a putty knife or paint scraper to remove any old sealant from the joint. Then clean the area thoroughly with a solvent such as mineral spirits or acetone and allow it to dry completely.

Clean before winter

When the leaves fall, it’s time to clean out your fenced garden. Remove all dead plant material, cover any exposed dirt with mulch and rake up debris. Then give the fence a good cleaning, scrubbing it down with a water and bleach solution, as well as washing off any mold or mildew spots. Remove any rust from metal fences with steel wool or sandpaper.

Clean after winter

Fall and winter are perfect times to clean up your wooden fences. The first step is to rake the leaves off the fence, rake up any sticks or other debris that might be laying on top of the fence, and remove any dead branches that would be in your way. You’ll also want to trim back any shrubs so they don’t grow too close to the fence.

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