Wood fences can be a beautiful piece to your property. It can bring that “curb appeal” look to your home. They can also attract termites which will then ruin that beautiful wood. Termites can do a lot of damage because they love getting into the wood and raising their families. There are ways to keep them away from your fence. We’ll go over ways you can protect your wood fence from being eaten.  

What to look for? 

A great way to start, is to check your fence regularly. Termites can work from the inside out so, look for bubbles or holes in the wood. You should pay more attention to termite droppings as well. They look like sawdust or sand but they are actually piles of pellets. So, if you see what may look like sawdust and you haven’t been sawing anything, I would look into it a lot further. Mud tubes are additionally a sign that you might have termites. They are found near the base of your fence and may stick to the surface. Termites use the mud tubes as tunnels to move around inside your wooden fence.  

Termites are always looking for ways to get into wood. They can climb from branches of plants and shrubs to get in. Clearing away any plant life and placing your wood fence in a dry area of your property will keep them from reaching the wood. However, you can have flowers since they are able to attract predators like birds that eat termites. Termites like soft, wet wood, therefore if you can keep your wood fence dry, it will help keep them away. In the fall keep the falling leaves from your fence, as they can make a pile of leaves their temporary home. If you don’t want to have termite repellant plants around your property, clean the area around your wood fence to allow the most amount of sunlight. Sunlight and again dry areas are termite proof.  

What do termites hate the most? 

An excellent way to keep termites from eating away at your fence is to use termite proof wood. Yes, there are some types of wood that termites don’t like. These woods are redwood, yellow cedar, walnut, teak, mahogany, and tallowwood.  

You can also use termite repellant paint or an oil-based stain. The stain will give the fence a more natural look as well as preventing termites. Painting your fence can prevent them from eating it since they don’t eat paint. However, they may be able to get into a painted fence if the paint is worn-off or not done very well. For added protection, you can use an oil-based primer, as primer helps make paint more durable.  

Chemicals to prevent termites 

The best chemical spray to not only prevent termites but also does not ruin your wood fence is Bora-Care. It is a wood preservative used to prevent and control termite infestations. It can be used on any type of wood, whether it’s painted or not. Once absorbed deep into the wood, Bora-Care will stay on for a lifetime as long as it’s coated and sealed.  

How to spray paint your fence 

1. Prepare your fence for paint. Cover any areas you don’t want paint on, like outdoor furniture, pots for plants, and any vegetation. Wear clothing to protect your skin and a protective mask so you don’t breathe in the fumes. Don’t forget to wear gloves because the paint will get all over your hands.  

2. Clean and check your fence. Make sure there aren’t already termites in your wood fence. Patch up any nail holes, cracks, etc. and remove loose screws or nails. Clean your fence by washing with a good fence cleaner.  

3. Primer coating. A primer coat will help the stain stick to the fence and help it become more durable. It may take longer to dry once applied but it will ensure that everything is covered.  

4. Painting your fence. You can purchase an anti-termite paint to make sure you prevent them from entering. Additionally, you can use a paint sprayer or a simple brush, it’s up to you. If you are using a paint gun or sprayer, make sure you are six inches to a foot away from the fence. If your wooden fence is horizontal, spray up and down. If your fence is vertical, spray back and forth. Try not to arc or curve when spraying, you could miss some areas if you do. In addition, you might want to have a brush handy. Just in case you miss an area or over paint and have drips.  

5. Letting it dry. Depending on how much paint you have used, it will in general take about 18 to 24 hours to dry. Make sure you have a sunny, dry day in that amount of time. Cold, wet weather, might affect the time of dryness and could ruin the work you put in. Don’t forget to clean your area and tools when you are finished.  

If you have any further questions about termites and wood fences, contact the professionals at All Over Fence. Our office is located in Magna and we service anywhere in Utah. 

Maintaining your fence can keep it looking like new over time. Depending on what type of fence you have will determine the type of preservation you’ll need to do.  Certainly, a wood fence requires different nourishment than a vinyl fence. At All Over Fence, our experienced team has the knowledge on how to preserve and keep your fence in the best condition at all times. Here are a few tips on maintaining each type of fence.  

Wood 

Wood fences require more maintenance than some others but if taken care of, they can bring out the best qualities of your property. The best way to protect your wooden fence is to paint or stain it every few years. You will need to clean the wood regularly to remove dirt and grime from the surface. General soap and water with a scrubbing brush are efficient or power washing it. Keep in mind, wood does rot when it consistently comes into contact with water, so keep your sprinklers turned away. If you do end up seeing mold or mildew, spray the area with mold cleaner and wipe clean. Doing these will help ensure the wood’s capability of withstanding exposure to any weather elements.  

Vinyl  

Vinyl takes very minimal amounts of maintenance, that’s why they’re so popular now a days. They don’t crack, warp, rot, or rust. Unlike wood, you don’t need to paint or stain vinyl fences which will save hours of work over the years. Everything eventually does look dirty and warn after being exposed to the elements over time, vinyl is simple maintenance when it does come time to clean. Here are just a few ideas you can use to clean vinyl fences.  

1. Spray with a garden hose 

2. Scrub with bleach-based cleanser and a soft cloth 

3. All-in-one detergent and power washer for those tough stains 

4. Magic eraser 

5. Mix vinegar with water 

Iron 

Iron fences can be extraordinarily durable but they can rust over time. When your iron fence is installed, it comes with a protective coating to make it more resistance to damage. You may want to reapply this regularly to prevent further damage to the fence. When you start to see rust, you should scrub with a small brush or toothbrush works too, as soon as possible. Use soap and water, then rinse and let the fence dry when you are done.  

Composite 

Composite fences are incorporated of recycled materials. A basic cleaning of soap and hot water with a brush is ideal to clean this type of fence. If you notice stubborn stains, you should still wash with soap and water. You can use a cleaning detergent but I would test it out in a small area that is not as noticeable. If you use a power washer, use it at a lower setting and work your way up as needed. Pressure washing could damage the fence, so please be careful.  

Maintaining your fence can either be a lot of work or not as much; either way it’s good to know what you can do to keep it looking like new. When damage happens, it is important to catch and repair as soon as possible. If you see any damage to your fence, contact All Over Fence today to hear what our professionals have to help repair your fence.  

Choosing The Perfect Pet-Friendly Fence

The most important thing when choosing a fence for your home is to make sure your pet doesn’t find a loose end to get out of. There are many important considerations to think of regarding the perfect pet-friendly fence to protect your pet and family. Here are some options to that you will need to keep in mind when finding the right pet-friendly fence for your home.  

Height  

You should measure how high you want your fence to be for many reasons. Many dog breeds can jump fairly high, especially if you have a large dog. They could jump over the fence when they see a squirrel that they may want to chase down the neighborhood. Then the dog catcher might come knocking on your door and you don’t want that conversation. If you’re unsure of how high your fence should be, research the breed of your pet to see how high they can actually jump. Usually, the bare minimum is 4 feet in order to keep dogs securely within your property, but that would be considered if you had a smaller dog.  

Prevent Climbing and Tunneling 

You might think a chain-link fence is going to save you more money in your pocket, when in fact it’s a lot easier for your pet to climb the fence no matter how high it is. They can also end up digging far enough underground to wiggle their way through. There’s not much of a barrier with the chain-link fence, just the poles that are placed to hold the fence up. You’ll need a vinyl fence or even our composite fences, something that is sleek or flat to prevent your pet from climbing or digging. You can also prevent them from tunneling under your fence by placing a layer of concrete at the bottom before installation. Even If they decide to dig, they will end up at the concrete level and give up. It can also prevent other animals from tunneling to enter your property.  

Restrict Their View 

A beautiful, wooden picket fence is a wonderful way to add that curb appeal to your home. But it’s not much if your pet tends to bark at anything that walks by. You want to think about your pet’s point of view and what they will see through your fence. If you don’t want the hassle then we’d suggest getting a more solid fence that your pet can’t see through. All Over Fence has many fences from design to color to fit your needs.  

Durability and Maintenance 

While the chain-link fence is easy to fix, it’s still not the best option to help keep your pet in your property. It is important to ensure that you choose a fence that is extremely durable in order to reduce the possibility of those issues. A vinyl or Composite fence is perfect for the durability you’ll need. Vinyl or Composite fences last for a long time and there’s little to no maintenance required.  

Work With A Great Company 

A pet-friendly fence is important to ensure you’re keeping your pet safe within your property, so hiring a professional to install your new fence will provide security. Your professional fence installation will make sure that your pets are secured and won’t escape. We’ll also make sure that the best fence will meet all your specific requirements. 

It is also important to keep these considerations when installing a new fence for your pet. You’ll also want to ensure that you keep in mind the specific breed of your dog, so to identify the appropriate dimensions for your fence. To learn more about the different fence types we offer, contact us at All Over Fence or browse through our website today!