A fence is a great addition to any property. However, this is only true if your fence is cared for properly. If only you could install your fence one time and never have to worry about it again, but that just isn’t the reality we live in. Fences need to be cleaned or they will become messy. Fence power washing is the best way to bring back their beauty, but learning how to power wash a fence is a challenge in and of itself.
Discover how to power wash a fence with Bucher ProWash. We are Richmond, VA’s first choice for power washing services, and we always look forward to serving our community clients. We can even help you next if you’d like!
Why Fences Need to Be Cleaned
Before learning how to power wash a fence, you might be wondering if fence cleaning is even necessary. The answer is yes, yes it is. That’s because fences are constantly accumulating debris, including dirt, moss, mold, algae, dead insects, and bird droppings. If you were hoping that the rain would wash this debris away for you, we have bad news. It simply won’t be enough to get rid of stubborn grime.
The good news is that you’ll be able to fight back against this debris with fence power washing. Power washing is a surface cleaning technique that uses highly pressurized jets of water. These jets are so powerful that they will be able to remove all grime with ease. This leaves you with a fence that looks its absolute best again!
Fence Power Washing Equipment
To learn how to power wash a fence, you will need to purchase the correct equipment. But what does this equipment include? First and foremost, you will need a pressure washer. A pressure washer is a powerful piece of machinery that pumps water and turns it into a cleaning force to be reckoned with. Make sure your pressure washer has an attaching hose, and don’t forget a basic detergent to put inside the soap tank.
Additionally, you’ll want to purchase protective gear, such as goggles and gloves. That way, you can cover more sensitive parts of your body, shielding them from pressurized water. Finally, consider powerful cleaning solutions, such as sodium hypochlorite, as well as a spray applicator to use it with. Sodium hypochlorite will help you break down the toughest debris on your fence.
Other Preparations For Fence Power Washing
Before you can learn how to power wash a fence, there are a few more preparations you have to make. For example, you need to choose a time and date for your project. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to complete the work, and try to avoid extreme weather, such as heat waves and rainstorms, if at all possible.
Make sure you have moved any decorations and objects out of the way, too. If they are near your fence, you’ll want to relocate them. Why? Two reasons. First, so they don’t become obstacles during your work. Second, so they don’t become damaged by pressurized water.
Choosing Your Water Pressure Setting
An important part of learning how to power wash a fence is selecting an appropriate amount of water pressure. Too little water pressure, and your project could end with ineffective results. Too much water pressure, and you could even damage the fence.
Each fence material demands its own special treatment. For your convenience, we’ve included a helpful bulleted list below.
- Vinyl fencing: 500–1,000 PSI
- Softwood fencing: 500–1,200 PSI
- Hardwood fencing: 1,000–1,500 PSI
- Composite fencing: 1,000–1,500 PSI
- Chain-link fencing: 1,500–2,500 PSI
The Fence Power Washing Process
Once you’ve completed all the necessary preparations, you can finally dig your nails into the fun part. That’s right—it’s time to learn how to power wash a fence. First, select an appropriate amount of water pressure, put on your safety gear, and add detergent to the soap tank. Once you’ve done that, it’s time to restore your fence’s beauty!
While maintaining eighteen inches of distance from the fence, use jets of pressurized water to rinse away all debris. Dirt, moss, mold, algae—show no mercy. Wash it all away! Make sure you wash both sides of the fence, and don’t forget to clean those hard-to-reach areas, too. This includes between posts, underneath posts, and in tight corners.
If you find that debris is too stubborn to wash away, don’t worry because sodium hypochlorite can save the day. Use your spray applicator to put a thin layer of this substance on exterior surfaces. Then, wait fifteen minutes for debris to be broken down. Finally, power wash the fence again and watch as its beauty is restored!
Challenges of DIY Fence Power Washing
Learning how to power wash a fence is difficult work. If you want to do this work on your own, you need to be prepared to invest your time and energy into the process. It’s a physically demanding process, and it’s not for everybody.
It’s also worth pointing out that improperly power washing your fence could result in damage or injury. Pressurized water is a force to be reckoned with. Using it the wrong way could result in an accident—and a stress-induced headache.
Want to clean your fence the easy way? If so, reach out to Bucher ProWash. Our team of professionals will happily power wash your fence so you don’t have to.
Contact Us to Get Started
If you need an appointment with Bucher ProWash, don’t wait to let us know about it! Contact us online with information about your fence, and you can get a free cost estimate today. From there, you can choose a time and date for your appointment. We’ll be there to restore your fence in the very near future!
Bucher ProWash is committed to satisfying every client. Count on us to make your fence look like it was freshly installed yesterday. That’s the magic of our fence power washing!
