Cedar fencing adds a layer of security and privacy to your home, provides a border for pets and children, and increases the value of your property. However, a fence won’t last forever if it isn’t taken care of properly.  Here are a few fencing contractor recommendations that’ll increase the longevity of your investment.

How to Maintain Your Fence

1. Paint, Seal, or Stain

Painting the fence will add color, sealing it protects it from moisture, and staining is a protectant and adds color, so which is the best option? Paint comes in many colors and can add panache, but harsh winters and summers will quickly cause it to peel, requiring a new coat every year or two. Seals are a transparent finish applied to the outside of the wood. It helps reduce the moisture content and prevents rot, but many brands don’t protect against the sun’s UV rays. Stains penetrate the wood, which reduces UV exposure, and has the same moisture protection qualities as seals. Although you can keep the natural color, or darken it, stains also come in a rainbow of colors including blue, pink, and indigo.

2. Minor Repairs

Heavy branches from trees, strong winds, and excessive rains are damaging to fences. Over time the wood may warp, crack, or splinter, and it is imperative to have a fencing contractor repair these areas immediately. Warping will eventually cause cracks and splintering and opens significant gaps between the boards. Exposed regions of the wood give water and pests a place to congregate and will cause rot and mold to develop.

3. Major Repairs

Posts are the foundation of the fence, and if they become weak, the whole fence is at risk. Posts placed in dirt allow moisture to eat away at the posts, and they will eventually rot. Talk to a fencing contractor about placing posts in concrete before installing a fence. If you already have a fence, and the posts have become weakened, then have a contractor install a concrete spur. A spur is an elongated piece of concrete stuck into the ground next to, and attached to, a fence post. They are an economical way of saving the fence without having to replace it.

 

If you’re looking at installing, repairing, or replacing a fence, contact the premier fencing contractors at T & L Services. Serving Eagle River and Anchorage, AK, they are committed to providing customers with exceptional services, fence installations, repairs, and replacements at competitive rates. Specializing in cedar fencing, a perfect wood for the Alaskan environment, they pride themselves on providing the most beautiful and long-lasting fences in the area. Visit their website to learn more about their services, or call them at (907) 333-0515 for a free estimate.