Do you have a fence on your property? A fence makes a great addition to any home or business for a variety of reasons. It lends security to the area, and it increases the property’s overall value. However, for your fence to bring out your property’s beauty, it needs to be clean. A dirty fence is hardly attractive—in fact, it will make your home or business look significantly worse. So what should you do? Well, why not learn how to power wash a fence to put an end to this problem?
Discover how to power wash a fence with Cardwell Cleaning. We are Greensboro, NC’s first choice for full-service power washing, and it would be our pleasure to share our knowledge with you. We are also here to help if you need full-service fence cleaning!
Why Power Wash Your Fence?
There are many reasons to learn how to power wash a fence. As we mentioned already, the better your fence looks, the more attractive your property as a whole will be. But that’s not the only benefit. You’ll also enjoy the following advantages:
- A fence that lasts longer and takes less debris-related damage
- The elimination of all moss, mold, and algae from the fence
- Reduced chance of pest infestation
As you can see, there’s a lot to gain from fence power washing, so don’t wait to schedule this service. We recommend having your fence cleaned at least once per year. Is it already overdue for cleaning?
What Will I Need For Fence Power Washing?
If you want to learn how to power wash a fence, you will need to get the correct equipment. The question is, what does this entail? We’ve included a list of the required items below.
- Pressure washer
- Attaching hose and nozzle
- Pressure washing detergent
- Sodium hypochlorite and spray applicator
- Drop cloths or tarps
It’s also important that you have safety equipment when learning how to power wash a fence. That’s because if you spray yourself with pressurized water, you could hurt yourself. Shield your bare skin with goggles, gloves, full-length pants, and closed-toe shoes. That way, the risk of injury goes down significantly.
How Can I Prepare to Clean My Fence?
So, you have all the necessary equipment to learn how to power wash a fence. What other ways can you prepare for your project? Of course, you’ll need to research how to use this equipment and familiarize yourself with it. That way, you understand what you’re working with and can ensure quality results.
We also recommend clearing the area of any obstacles. Are there decorations, outdoor furniture, and other items in the way of your fence? If so, you’ll want to move them out of the way. That way, they don’t block the fence. Plus, you don’t have to worry about those objects being damaged by pressurized water by moving them out of the way.
We also recommend that you cover any nearby flower beds or gardens with drop cloths or tarps. This protects your plants from pressurized water.
How Much Water Pressure Should I Use?
The amount of water pressure you should use during your appointment depends on the material your fence is made of. After all, different materials demand different approaches. We’ve included a simple list for your reference below. Don’t see your fence’s material? Some independent research on your favorite search engine will help you find the answer.
- Vinyl: 500–1,000 PSI
- Composite: 500–1,000 PSI
- Wood: 500–1,500 PSI
- Aluminum: 1,000–1,500 PSI
- Chain-Link: 1,500–2,000 PSI
The Fence Power Washing Process
So, you have all the necessary equipment for fence power washing. You’ve dedicated time and energy to the work, and you are standing in front of your fence with the hose in hand. So, now what? First, make sure pressure washing detergent has been added to the soap tank, and don’t forget to select an appropriate amount of water pressure. Once you’ve done this, you can begin spraying your fence clean.
Keep a distance of 1.5 to 2 feet away from the fence. Then, spray its surface with pressurized water and begin rinsing away stubborn grime. We recommend using a simple, row-by-row pattern while power washing. This makes it incredibly easy to keep track of what you’ve already cleaned and what still needs your attention. Don’t forget to clean harder-to-reach areas of your fence, too, such as between posts and underneath edges.
Using Sodium Hypochlorite to Tackle Tough Stains
During the process of learning how to power wash a fence, you may come across stubborn stains that don’t easily wash away. If jets of pressurized water can’t remove them, does this mean you should simply ignore them and move along? At Cardwell Cleaning, we don’t recommend giving up when faced with tough stains. Instead, use sodium hypochlorite and a spray applicator to defeat even the strongest blemishes on your fence.
The way it works is simple. First, use the spray applicator to put a thin layer of sodium hypochlorite on the fence. Then, wait fifteen minutes for tough stains to be broken down. Finally, power wash the surface again and watch as those unsightly marks are easily removed!
Consider Professional Fence Cleaning
As you have discovered in this blog, learning how to power wash a fence is difficult work. It requires the right equipment, hours of your time, and a significant amount of physical labor. Some people will be willing to do this on their own. However, others would prefer scheduling professional services instead. Are you among them? If so, why not reach out to Cardwell Cleaning for the full-service fence cleaning that you need?
We are a locally owned and operated business, and it would be our pleasure to assist you. Simply contact us online with information about your fence to get a free estimate. (What you’ll pay is based on the size of your project.) Then, choose a time and date for your appointment, and we will see you in the near future!
