Your fence should provide you with many years of service; more if you make certain that it is adequately preserved and you carry out routine maintenance check-ups.

Wood Preservatives

If at all possible, buy fence timber which has been factory-impregnated with preservative, as this is considerably more effective in infiltrating below the surface of the wood than home applied treatments. When erecting a fence, any cut ends must be soaked in preservative for a day before use.

Unless fences are built of natural rot-resisting timber, like cedar or oak, you\’ll also need to treat them regularly with a wood preservative. Re-apply solvent-based products every two or three years and water-based preservatives or creosote every four years.

Creosote

Creosote is an effective and popular treatment for preserving fencing. Nevertheless, it’s got a very strong smell, which many people may find objectionable. It’s also poisonous if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through your skin, which means you must wear protective clothing when applying it. Because of this, creosote isn’t suitable for fences which support plants.

Water Based Preservatives

These are generally a lot less noxious to plants and also less unpleasant to use. They prevent the growth of surface molds and enhance the physical appearance of the timber. However, they’re normally less effective at controlling rot.

Wood-Pitch Preservatives

These kinds of preservatives produce a barrier that helps prevent water penetration, making the timber too dry for bacterial action.

Fixing Support Posts

Among the important problems which develop as fence ages are …