How To Remove The Eyesore Of Green Algae From Your Wood Fence

If you've put up a wood fence around your yard, it's likely not just for privacy, but to also look nice and create a finished touch to your landscaping. So, it can be extremely frustrating when after all that hard work, it ends up with a thick coat of green algae. Not only does the algae look unsightly, but it can also cause damage to your fence. You may have tried power washing it in the spring, but it just shows up again. Power washing is a good start, but it doesn't get to the source of the issue and what's causing it to return every year. This is one of the unexpected downsides to a classic wood fence, but it can be easily prevented. Not only do you need to clean off the algae, but you also need to kill it and add a protective coating to your wood fence to prevent it from coming back.

Wood is extremely porous and prone to holding onto moisture. This creates the perfect environment for green algae to grow, especially if sections of your fence are in a shady, cool area of your yard. If you happen to live in an area of the U.S. where you receive a lot of rain, algae can be a common issue. The key to keeping green algae off of your wood fence in the first place is to make it an unfavorable environment for growth. This means ensuring that the wood of your fence stays continually dry and repels moisture.

Taking care of green algae right away is one of the wooden fence maintenance tips you should do to keep it looking pristine year-round. The first step to the process is to remove the green algae and clean the fence. Be sure to check that you will have a couple of days of sunny, dry weather for this project. You can clean your fence with a bucket of soapy water and a brush, a one-part vinegar two-parts water solution, or by power washing. After cleaning your fence, allow it to dry completely before you take the next step of adding a water-resistant coating.

Once your fence is completely dry, you will need to apply a waterproof sealant. You could also choose a waterproof stain if you want to prevent algae and other damaging issues your wood fence might face. Maintaining the area around your fence will also help to prevent water or moisture from becoming an issue. To prevent any future algae growth, be sure to trim any branches hanging over your fence, level any uneven areas in the ground around your fence to prevent water from pooling, and adjust any sprinklers so that they aren't continually spraying your fence. After cleaning and sealing your fence, you will only need to give it a wash every so often to keep it in good shape.