How to Clean Your Vinyl Fence

A wood fence is a warm, welcoming addition to your home. Wooden fences complement any style and color of home and come in a wide variety of styles. With care, wood fences last for many years and can add considerable curb appeal to your home. Wood fences come with some maintenance needs, however. Owners of wood fences must consider stain/paint as well as insects that may want to make a home in the wood.Some insects can cause structural damage to a wood fence, shortening its lifespan and reducing the overall lovely appearance of the fence. Which insects should you keep an eye out for? Read on. Termites thrive in Florida's humid climate. They eat any and all types of wood, not distinguishing between older wood that supports your home or a brand new wood fence. Termites looks similar to carpenter ants with a few noticeable differences. Termites: May be brown or white Have long, straight wings of equal length Have straight antenna May have a pincer one one end Termite colonies may be underground or in the wood itself and can spread rapidly. Wood damaged by termites must be replaced right away to stop the spread and remove any termite eggs or larvae living in the wood. Carpenter ants, as their name suggests, like wood. They don't eat wood but nest inside of it, especially wood that is damaged or rotting. The tunnels they build further damage and threaten the structural integrity of any wood they live in. Carpenter ants: Look like ants but are much larger May be brown or black Have wings of unequal length Have bent, elbow-shaped antenna Similar to a termite infestation, wood that has been colonized by carpenter ants must be replaced to prevent further spread and damage. Wood-boring beetles drill into wood and lay their eggs. Once the young beetles hatch, they feed on the wood until they're old enough to fly away. Beetles especially like wood that hasn't been painted or pressure treated. A sure sign you've got wood-boring beetles is small piles of sawdust on or near your fence.If your fence is damaged beyond repair, it may be time to invest in an entirely new fence. If you're fed up with wood, consider a vinyl fence, which offers many of the same styles as wood fences but doesn't attract or support insects.

Summer is right around the corner! We're already feeling the summer heat here in Winter Haven, though. Perhaps you've already started using the pool.Check on the cleaning equipment to make sure they're in good shape for the season. Items you'll need include: Telescopic pole with skimmer head Pool brush Vacuum head and hose (if you use a vacuum) Water test kit or test strips Pool chemicals including shock, chlorine, chlorine stabilizer, and pH alkalinity While you're preparing the pool water and maintenance supplies, it's a good idea to inspect the tile, deck, and fence around the pool. Your pool's fence is a vital safety component and it's worth taking a close look at it to ensure it's stable.When inspecting your fence, visually walk and look over every part of the fence. Start with a fence gate and take a close look at the lock and hinges. Pool fences require a latch and lock to keep out children and animals who might accidentally fall into the water. After checking out the gate, walk the length of the fence visually scanning each board or pole looking for holes, cracks, dry rot, or mold/mildew. To be thorough, walk around both the inside and outside of the fence. An unsound fence may collapse and cause a larger, more expensive problem later on.If you do discover some area of your fence needing repair or feel like the fence needs to be replaced, contact Fence Central in Winter Haven. We service most all of the Central Florida area and can help you to have a safe, fun time in your pool this summer.

Before it gets too hot this summer, consider setting aside some time to perform some routine maintenance on your wood fence. Wood fences make a beautiful addition to nearly any property, whether they're stockade, board-on-board, shadowbox, ranch rail, or picket style. They do require a little love and attention periodically, though, and doing so can extend the life of your wood fence significantly.Fences have to endure a lot of weather of the course of the year: Rain, wind, freezing nights, and blazing hot afternoons. Staining your wood fence puts a layer between the wood and the elements, prolonging its life. The color, quality, and type of stain (oil or water-based) you choose as well as the fence's location will determine how often you need to re-stain. Most stain manufactures recommend a re-staining cycle of 5 years, but that's just an estimate. If you're noticing that you're fence is looking a bit under the weather, you may need to re-stain more frequently. If you choose a light colored stain for your fence, it may require redoing every 1-2 years. Similarly, if your fence faces east or west, it gets more direct sunlight and may need more looking-after.When choosing a new stain, look for one that includes fungicide and herbicide to provide an effective barrier between your fence and things that want to grow on it. If you notice fungus or mold growing on your fence, spray on a solution of 50% bleach and water so that it doesn't prevent your stain from adhering effectively.In addition to re-staining, take a good look at your fence from top to bottom, noting any loose boards or nails. If you feel like your fence is in need of replacing, contact us at Fence Central in Central Florida. We custom make all of our wood fences using premium pressure-treated rails, not the pre-built panels you find at the hardware store. The high-quality materials we use ensure that your fence will last for years and years to come.