The enemy of your vinyl fence is a build up of mold, mildew and algae. A well taken care of vinyl fence can last much longer than the typical wooden fence. It is wise to inspect the fence regularly. Walk the fence every couple of months to look for dents, bad scratches, mold or mildew. Staying ahead of potential issues will save you from the large, more expensive issues that could come down the road. Vinyl fences typically require much less maintenance compared to other fences, but that doesn’t mean you can or should ignore it after setup.
You first want to prepare the area around the vinyl fence to save yourself future issues. Look over the area around the fence for overhanging branches or plants that may scratch or dent the fence. This can go a long way to prevent your fence from looking ugly, but these things will also weaken the fence leading to later damage that may require replacements. On your quarterly fence checks, give the posts a little shake to make sure they do not need replaced or screws tightened. Finding these issues early can save yourself larger expenses. Also be careful what you put directly in front of the fence. Try and avoid things such as gravel or plants that could scratch or tear at the bottom of the fence. Go instead for options like mulch and flowers with stems instead of branches that will allow for beauty to your yard without the threat of damage to your fence.
Regular washes are a requirement for vinyl fences if you desire for a long-lasting, beautiful fence around your yard. This isn’t weekly, a few times a year or after bad storms will be fine. You can do so with a typical garden hose you will have around the house and a nozzle that has a little force. The other option is a pressure washer that will give a lot more force to get rid of any growing mold or algae. If you stay on top of this, a strong rinse off of the fence should be enough to keep the mildew and algae away. If you find it not coming off with a rinse however, you will need to scrub it. You can get some soap and a wash cloth and that should be able to get off most mildew. If you are still having trouble, you can try cleaning options such as bleach cleaner or a magic eraser. DO NOT use these if you have a dark or tan fence! The bleach can discolor or damage the fence. In these cases, using a pressure washer to remove harder mold or algae is the better option. The force of the pressure washer with some vinegar or bleach should remove the mildew or mold before it starts to damage the fence.
If you are reading this a bit later, and you have washed your fence, cleaning it of mold and mildew only to find dents and scratches. You can still save the fence for a relatively cheap price. You can purchase a vinyl fence patch kit that are pretty straight forward and simple to use. This will allow you to restore your fence and prolong its life without need to spend the money on full repairs or replacements.
With a little bit of TLC, your vinyl fence will stay beautiful and strong for many years to come. The choice to go with vinyl is one many are making today for its low maintenance requirements and classic look. These few steps completed from time to time throughout the year will ensure your investment lasts as long as possible.
