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How to Manually Clean a Timber Fence
October 9, 2020
Preparing your timber fence work area
Get a plastic sheet. Cover the ground around the fence with it. If you have plants, cover those too as well as the grass, especially if you will use a chemical solution. This will help protect them from the harsh chemicals or from drowning. Next, run a wire brush over any pieces of debris to remove any visible stray objects. Then, spray the fence down with a garden hose. This will remove any surface dirt.
Regular timber fence cleaning
For typical cleaning, use oxygenated bleach as it works wonders in safely removing stains from exterior surfaces. Create an oxygen bleach powder and water solution (follow instructions at the back of the packaging). Apply the mixture to your already-damp timber fence with a large painter’s brush. Leave it for 15 minutes before scrubbing with a plastic bristle scrub brush. Rinse with a garden hose.
Cleaning a timber fence that has mold and algae
Mold and algae can cause rapid decay to your timber fence, and even if you remove them at the surface, there's a chance they'll grow back. To completely kill them, create a solution of one part chlorine bleach and two parts water (optional: add a teaspoon of dish soap). After dipping a plastic bristle brush onto this mixture, scrub the areas that have green stains. Rinse with your garden hose once done.
Removing moss and mildew from your timber fence
Moss and mildew are not just damaging to your fence, they are also not a pleasant sight to see. To remove them, create a mixture of ½ cup vinegar and 1 gallon of water. Apply said mixture to the timber fence with a sponge. Let it sit for 15 minutes. Once done, use a plastic bristle brush to scrub off the moss or mildew. Lastly, rinse with a garden hose.
Even though this kind of fence can last up to 20 years, the kind of wood you use and the climate you’re in will still be huge factors that will determine the long term condition of your timber fence. Regular and proper cleaning can help immensely in preserving the look and prolonging the life of the fence. Of course, depending on the need, you can simply follow the steps provided above on what kind of mixture to make and what kind of materials to use to clean your fence manually. However, if the damage is severe enough that even washing doesn’t help, you may want to consider getting a fence replacement.
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Rural fencing is installed for three reasons: enclose livestock, prevent access to a property, mark a perimeter, or all of the above. A rural fence can be small or it can be large enough to encompass a huge property. This type of fence must serve its purpose first and foremost, which means design is not a priority. The rural fencing you choose should be able to keep feral animals out of an enclosure or keep domestic animals in the enclosure. Understanding the purpose your Darwin fence will serve will determine the best fence to get. Below are some of the things to consider in getting a rural fence for your Northern Territory property. What type of animal is being kept in or out of your property? Different animals have different fencing requirements. To be able to install the right type of rural fence, think about the animals you want to keep in or out of a property. Some types of animals include small feral animals, wild pigs, dogs, wallabies, and other medium sized animals, horses, cattle, sheep, and two-legged animals like chickens, turkeys, and ducks. For example, if you want to enclose heavy animals like cattle, you will need heavier fencing materials since cattles can place more pressure on a fence. Post and rail fencing is also a popular and effective choice for horses. If you want to keep animals out of the property, the fencing should be high enough to keep them from jumping over. If you want to keep smaller animals out, closely-knit woven wire can keep them from passing through. Will this be an internal fence or a boundary fence? An internal fence is a smaller fence that may keep animals in a small enclosure while a boundary fence will enclose the perimeter of the property. Boundary fences may need to be sturdier than internal fences. Barbed wire fencing makes a good boundary fence. What is the place like? The location also plays a major role. You have to pinpoint whether the fence will be built on up steep slopes, flat areas, gullies, or hillsides. Other issues that you have to consider as well are if the fence will be built in an area where it's likely to flood or if the area is in a bushfire zone. Regardless, these rural fences should be made with the goal that they should be able to withstand flood or fire. It may look easy in the eye, but rural fences take a lot of time and planning as they have to serve their purpose, otherwise they’d be useless. This is why rural fencing should only be installed by professional fence contractors. With their years of experience, they know what the best kind of fence will work for certain types of animals as well as how to ensure your fence will stand the test of time and elements. A Darwin fence contractor will certainly help you select the right fencing for your location and needs.
Just like with any major decisions, especially those that will cost a considerable amount, you would think: is getting an automatic gate worth the price? Put it this way: when it comes to the peace of mind an automatic gate can bring with its added safety and security for your family, is it not worth it? If you’re still unconvinced, we have listed down several advantages of an automatic gate below that will help you see why it's worth the time, energy, and money and why many Darwin homeowners and Northern Territory business owners get them these days. An automatic gate gives added security. The greatest advantage of having an automatic gate for your Darwin home is the added security it brings. Automatic gates can only be opened by using a remote control, switch, or card. By being accessible only to authorized individuals, you can prevent unwanted trespassers from entering your property. Furthermore, you can prevent young children or pets from accidentally wandering off to the streets and keep them safely inside, away from vehicles and strangers alike. Automatic gates are more convenient than manual gates. Another major plus of having this type of gate is the automated means of opening and closing your gates. This will save you the trouble of getting drenched in the rain or braving the cold weather if you have to manually open your gate. You can just stay comfortable in your vehicle and let the remote do its thing. Additionally, you can unlock your gates for expected guests from the comfort of your home. You can save more with an automatic gate. Installing an automatic gate to your premises can definitely save you money in the long run. Rather than going through the hassle of hiring a security guard, using an automatic gate opener as your low maintenance security can make your life easier. You can also get a discount from your insurance company as they will put into consideration the added protection you have installed in your driveway. These companies are well aware of the benefits of automatic gates and the level of security they bring. An automatic gate results in a higher property value. An automatic gate is a great decoration for your property as it adds to the overall aesthetics of the home. Aside from this being high-tech, it also comes with a wide variety of designs and settings, which will further entice any prospective buyer looking to grab your property. Interestingly enough, statistically, an automatic gate can add five percent to the overall value of a home. No one would compromise their family’s well-being, and there’s no better way to show you put them first than getting an automatic gate installed today. It gives extra security to your home, will make you and your loved ones’ lives easier, will cut down insurance costs, and increase your home value should you decide to put your property on the market. Any Darwin resident, whether you are in Leanyer, Malak, Stuart Park, or any other places nearby, would attest to the glaring truth that an automatic gate is indeed a great investment that’s worth considering.
Compared to other fencing materials, one of the reasons why Colorbond fencing is so popular in the Northern Territory is that it requires minimal maintenance once it’s up and is known to withstand some of the harshest Australian weather conditions. Nevertheless, there are several steps to be done and practices to be observed to ensure the preservation of your Colorbond fence. Follow the guidelines below to ensure that your fence will be in crisp condition for years! Hire a professional fence contractor. To make sure your Colorbond fence lasts long and is installed properly, you have to consider getting the fencing job done with a fence contractor Darwin located. These experts will see to it that there is no excessive pressure on panels, loose bolts, wobbly posts, and more importantly, that the Colorbond fence is installed above ground. The bottom part of your fence cannot be submerged in the soil, otherwise it will become corroded. A fence expert will make sure there's a gap between the fence and the ground, enough for the water to flow freely. Properly wash and clean your colorbond fence. Regularly clean your Colorbond fence with a soft sponge and a mixture of soap (ordinary or carwash) and lukewarm water. Never use a scourer, or any other abrasive materials as it would remove parts of your Colorbond fence. Do not use sugar soap. After cleaning with soap, rinse with tap water. In some occasions, lichen and fungus can grow on the shady, bottom side of the fence, where the sun does not hit directly. They can easily be removed with household bleach. Rinse off the bleach with tap water after. Do not cover scratches or graffiti with paint. Scratches may not look good on your fence, but using normal paint to cover them up won't work well as Colorbond is a special type of coating that is bonded to the steel. Similarly, graffiti may not look pleasing, but never use chemicals such as Acetone, Methylethyl Ketone, Toluene, Thinners, or any other paint removers since they can be harsh to your Colorbond fence and will also void your warranty. Keep these harmful chemicals away from your fence. Pool water contains chlorine and/or salt which can be corrosive to your Colorbond fence. If you splash pool water on your Colorbond fence, wash down the fence with fresh tap water or wipe your fence down with a cloth. Similarly, garden fertilisers and insect sprays can also damage your fence. If you accidentally get some of these garden chemicals on your fence, rinse it down with tap water. Your fence is an important part of your property, regardless of what fencing material you use. In this case, your Colorbond fence will last for a very long time as long as you keep it above ground and no soil gets in contact with it, you clean it regularly with mild soap and warm water, get rid of fungus, don't paint over any unwanted dents or scratches, don't use abrasive materials on it, avoid splashing pool water on it, and keep it safe from chemicals you use on your garden. Do these and watch your Colorbond fence last over the years.