Rain, snow, shine — outdoor elements can impact the quality and structural integrity of your wooden fence. Without protective measures and ongoing treatment, dry or wet rot can become a problem.
Luckily, there are some easy measures you can take to stop your fence from rotting, both at the installation stage and afterwards.
Why do wooden fences rot?
Wooden fences are susceptible to rot after repeated or excessive exposure to the elements, leading to the biological decomposition of the wood.
There are two main types of rot:
- Dry rot: Dry conditions or excessive sunlight over a long period of time can result in dry rot, causing the wood to become dry, crumbly and discoloured.
- Wet rot: The more common type of fence rot, it occurs when the wood has too much moisture. Signs include fungus or a musty odour.
Rot can result in cracking, weakening, discolouration, collapse or developing fungal growth.
How to stop your fence from rotting
Here are some ways to prevent fence rot at the point of purchase and also during fence ownership:
- Purchase pressure-treated boards: When purchasing a brand new fence or new replacement boards, choose pressure-treated boards. These have undergone a process that gives them greater resistance to rot and fungal decay, making them a great choice for a longer-lasting fence.
- Don’t skimp on gravel boards: At the point of installation, install gravel boards at the base of your fence. These sections can be made from wood or hardier concrete. Because the bottom of the fence experiences the most contact with moist ground and grass, gravel boards provide extra protection against this moisture as well as raising the fence boards away from the ground.
- Give your panels an annual treatment: Even with rot-proof fencing, it’s still worth giving your fence an annual treatment to ensure it has additional defences in place against rot. Wood preservatives or protective sealants can serve this purpose, which should be applied annually. If you’re unsure of what to use, ask your fence panel supplier about what products might work best.
- Clean and maintain: Ensure you follow a regular maintenance and cleaning routine for your fence. This can include removing dirt, mould or mildew using a stiff brush or a pressure washer to ensure panels remain clean. Keep your fence clear of debris which can settle on the panels and lead to rot, and be aware of overhanging foliage which could drop debris onto your fence. Autumn in particular can result in lots of moist leaves and twigs falling on your fence, so be extra vigilant during this season.
- Regular visual inspections: Just giving your fence a visual once-over every now and then will allow you to track any changes to colour, smell or general appearance over time. Regular visual inspections will help you catch any developing problems early, allowing you to take action to change your care plan or replace any damaged sections before the problem gets worse.
So, if you’re seeing signs of rot during your visual inspections, what should you do?
My fence is already rotten – what should I do?
Signs of wood rot can include a softening of the wood, dark patches forming, damp or musty smells, or fungal growth. If you have spotted any of these, the fence may already be experiencing rot – so what should you do if your fence is already rotten?
Unfortunately, once rot has set in, it’s impossible to cure. The best course of action is therefore to replace the rotten wood panels with new ones.
Once the fresh panels have been installed, ensure that you enforce decent rot prevention techniques with your new fencing right from the beginning to help you benefit from a fence with a longer lifespan.
Treat your garden to the highest quality fencing in Harrow, Hillingdon and London. As the area’s leading stockist and installer, Harrow Fencing are here to bring a wide range of fencing options to homes and businesses. Established 60 years ago, you can also enjoy an experienced and skilled service when you come to us.
