How to Keep a Vinyl Fence Looking Like New

When it comes to fencing, vinyl is an excellent choice since it’s very low-maintenance.

You’ll get all the benefits of traditional wood since it can be made to resemble it, but you won’t have to worry about the same weathering problems as with real wood. So this means it can last much longer as well.

However, although vinyl is low-maintenance, there are still some things you need to do to make sure your vinyl fence looks new and stays that way.

Here are all the steps you should take to clean and maintain your vinyl fence.

Brush Your Fence

Chances are, lots of debris ends up on your fence. Not only is this unsightly, but it’ll also make it harder to clean your fence in the future. So don’t forget to get a stiff yard brush and get all the debris off your vinyl fencing at least once a week.

If there’s been lots of wind and rain, you’ll want to do it more often since wet debris can stick on your fence and then essentially be cemented on after it dries. The key is to keep an eye on your fence’s condition and get anything off it promptly.

Wash Your Fence Regularly

While you barely have to do maintenance, you do have to do some vinyl fence cleaning once in a while. What you have to do will depend on what condition your fence is in.

If it has just a little bit of dust and dirt, all you have to do is just spray it down with your hose. For better cleaning power, you can also opt to get a sponge and lightly wipe it down with warm, soapy water.

If there are more stubborn stains, then you’ll want to try something else. Get a specialized vinyl fence cleaner, such as paint thinner.

Put on protective gear (such as gloves and goggles) and then soak a cloth with the cleaner. Press the cloth to the stain for at least 30 seconds and then wipe it away.

Make sure you never use scouring pads or other abrasive cleaning tools or agents. These things will not only scratch vinyl, but they’ll also eliminate its beautiful sheen.

Make Repairs When Needed

From time to time, you should check on the condition of your vinyl fence. If you find any problems, fix them right away, even if they’re small.

If you leave things like loose panels and nails, these can grow into much bigger problems down the line. For instance, let’s say a storm comes in the following week. It might cause your loose panels to fly right off!

So don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today. Prevention is most certainly key when it comes to preserving the condition of your vinyl fence.

Eliminate Mildew and Algae

Even the most diligent vinyl fence owner can’t completely keep mildew and algae from appearing. This is because there will be some areas that are more shaded and moist, which means the perfect growing conditions.

No one wants to see either mildew or algae on their beautiful fencing. It’s not just an aesthetic problem either.

If you leave these things on your vinyl fence for long enough, they can stain it in colors of anything from black to yellow or green. Plus, it can become harder and harder to remove them.

So as soon as you see any mildew or algae on your fencing, you’ll want to take action.

While it’s true that warm soapy water will help you get rid of both things, it won’t actually keep them away. There can be small parts left behind that survive and thrive again.

So instead, you’ll want to clean with something stronger. We recommend using a vinegar and water solution. Dip a sponge in this and scrub the fence with it.

You can also use bleach and water, since that’ll eliminate mildew and algae even better. However, these are toxic solutions and can even stain your fence if it’s in a darker color. When cleaning a white vinyl fence, bleach is ok.

Whatever you choose, hose down your fence afterward to restore its shine.

Practice Good Lawn Care

You can help reduce the instances of mildew and algae on your vinyl fencing by practicing good lawn care.

For example, when you mow the lawn, hose down the clippings from your fence and throw them away. Algae actually thrive on clippings since there are plenty of nutrients in them. If you eliminate their food source, algae won’t grow on your fence as quickly.

You should also keep your lawn looking pristine. This means removing things like twigs and leaves from all areas, not just the middle bits. You want to concentrate particularly on removing things stuck to or near your fencing.

Not only will this help your yard look nice, but it can also prevent your vinyl fence from wearing down prematurely. It has the added benefit of keeping away pests too!

Maintain Your Vinyl Fence With Our Tips

By taking all our above tips into account and putting them into action, your vinyl fence will look great for years to come. If you take good care of your investment, then it should last several decades.

So be proactive and diligent in caring for your vinyl fence. That way, you’ll get the most out of it.

Do you need new vinyl fencing, despite our tips? Then get a free estimate from us now. In addition to vinyl fencing, we also offer wood, chain link, and aluminum fencing as well!