How To Extend The Life Of An Inexpensive Pine Fence

Posted on: 11 July 2016

A pine fence is never going to be as hardy and durable as a fence made from oak or cedar, but if you're on a tight budget, it is an affordable option that may allow you to have a fence put into place for less. (Pine costs as little as $10 per linear foot whereas cedar fences typically start at $15 per square foot.) To compensate for that lack of durability and ensure your pine fence lasts as long as possible, there are a few things you can do to take better care of it.

Keep it dry.

The more moisture your pine fence comes into contact with, the more prone it will be to rot and decay. While you can't prevent a rainstorm, there are a few other things you can do to keep your fence dry:

  • When watering plants near the fence, aim for the soil and try to avoid spraying the fence.
  • Keep trees near the fence trimmed so that the fence is exposed to more sunlight and will dry out faster after a rain shower.
  • Don't let plants grow on or too close to the fence; they'll trap moisture against it, promoting rot.

Watch out for insects.

Insects like wood bees and carpenter ants like to build nests in fences, and they're particularly attracted to soft woods like pine. When they burrow through a fence board, they weaken it. So, keep a careful eye out for these pests, and when you do see them, take prompt action to eradicate them. Spraying the fence with insecticides is a good first step, but you should also locate any holes the insects have made in the fence and plug them with steel wool to keep them from crawling back into the holes.

Apply waterproofing sealers.

Wood sealing products, which serve to help prevent the wood from absorbing water, are sold at most home improvement stores. Buy a good-quality product, and apply it according to the instructions on the package. Most products must be applied at least once per year to maintain their effectiveness. Make sure you wait for a dry spell to apply the waterproofing sealer, since rain soon after application may rinse it off or make it less effective.

If you take time to keep the fence dry, apply sealers, and keep insects away, you'll be surprised how long your inexpensive pine fence may last. Talk to a fencing contractor in your area, like Lindsey Fence Co, for more information.

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