Peek outside your window and look at the fence surrounding your property. What do you see? Do you see a spotless structure that brings out the best your home or business has to offer? Or do you see a grimy, poorly maintained fence that is practically begging to be cleaned? Make no mistake about it—your fence requires regular maintenance if you want it to stay in the best possible condition. That’s where power washing comes in. In this blog, you’ll learn how to power wash a fence, improving its appearance and resulting in many other benefits, too!
We are Midland Pressure Washing, and we proudly serve the Leawood, KS community. Need professional fence cleaning? Then reach out to us. We are prepared to completely revitalize your fence for a fair price with no hidden fees added.
Why Fence Power Washing Is a Must
Is it really that important to learn how to power wash a fence? Why should you clean your fence when some of your neighbors skip this work altogether? The answer is that your fence will suffer negative consequences if it isn’t cleaned. As your fence becomes dirtier and dirtier, it will become uglier and uglier. That’s because layers of debris suffocate your fence’s beauty—and when your fence doesn’t look its best, neither does your property.
This isn’t the only negative effect of neglecting your fence. Did you know that fences that aren’t washed are at greater risk of surface damage? Over time, particles of debris will erode your fence, gradually making it deteriorate. This is exacerbated by the presence of moss, mold, and algae. This organic debris collects water and causes moisture damage to your fence, which will quickly become a source of frustration.
How Often Should My Fence Be Cleaned?
When learning how to power wash a fence, you may wonder how often you need to clean your fence. As a general rule, we recommend annual fence cleaning. This will prevent the excessive accumulation of debris, keeping your fence good-looking and relatively safe from debris-related damage. Has it already been over a year since your fence was cleaned? If so, reach out to Midland Pressure Washing for the help you need!
Some properties may even benefit from multiple fence cleanings per year. This is especially true when your fence is located near a busy street, trees, or a construction site. That’s because these locations make your fence prone to asphalt particles, pollen, and construction dust respectively. Do what it takes to maintain your fence’s beauty because you and your neighbors will appreciate the effort!
What Will I Need For Fence Power Washing?
If you want to learn how to power wash a fence, you’ll need to have the right tools. Otherwise, you won’t be able to complete the work. First and foremost, you’ll want to purchase a pressure washer. This specialized piece of machinery pressurizes water, transforming it into a powerful surface cleaning force. You’ll be amazed at how quickly pressurized water can remove debris from a fence and make it look its best again!
In addition to a pressure washer, you’ll need an attaching hose and nozzle (so you can aim water at your fence), a simple power washing detergent, and sodium hypochlorite (to help break down stubborn debris). Finally, don’t forget safety gear! You need to protect yourself during your power washing project. Wear gloves, goggles, full-length pants, and closed-toe shoes to protect your bare skin from powerful jets of water.
Getting Ready For Fence Cleaning
To prepare for fence cleaning, make sure you’ve set aside enough time to learn how to power wash a fence. This process can easily take hours, if not the majority of a day. You won’t want to rush through this work, either. Rushing results in lower-quality results, and we know that’s not what you want.
Make sure any outdoor furniture or decorations have been moved away from your fence. That way, they aren’t damaged by jets of pressurized water. Finally, add detergent to your pressure washer’s soap tank and choose an appropriate amount of water pressure for the job. The correct setting depends on the material your fence is made of:
- Wood: 500–1000 PSI
- Composite: 1000–1500 PSI
- Vinyl / PVC: 1500–2000 PSI
- Chain-Link: 2500–3000 PSI
Power Washing Your Fence
Once you have finished preparing for power washing, it’s time to leap into the process. The first thing you’ll want to do is take a steady hold of the hose and position yourself two feet away from the fence. Then, begin power washing the fence in a series of columns. Work from top to bottom for the best results. We also recommend slightly overlapping the columns to ensure that no surface area accidentally goes unwashed.
Not all debris will wash away on your first try. You may even discover that some grime is too stubborn to remove no matter how many attempts you make. When this happens, consider using sodium hypochlorite to weaken this tough debris. Simply apply a thin layer of sodium hypochlorite to the dirty area. Then, wait fifteen minutes before power washing the area again. This should eliminate even the strongest stains for good.
Need Professional Fence Power Washing?
It’s important to keep your fence clean, but at the same time, learning how to power wash a fence can be tricky. Because of this, you might want to steer clear of DIY work and schedule an appointment with a professional business instead. No worries. At Midland Pressure Washing, it would be our pleasure to power wash your fence. We’ll completely restore its beauty, and in the meantime, you can take some time to relax. What’s not to like?
To get a free cost estimate for our services, contact us online and let us know about your fence. Then, you can choose a time and date for your appointment. We look forward to meeting you, seeing your fence, and completely transforming it. You’ll be amazed at what the professionals at Midland Pressure Washing can do for you!
