If you’ve ever watched old movies, there were a lot of scenes depicting homes with white picket fences. The concept became so popular that people dreamed of owning a home with a white picket fence.
Fast forward a few years…the fence is not so white and there’s this green tinge to areas in the fencing.
You may not have a white picket fence, but if you do have a wooden fence, then your maintenance is going to be more than with other kinds of materials. But, don’t make wood fence maintenance difficult.
If you were to follow the instructions in the article below, you’d probably rue the day you installed a wood fence (and for your info, there aren’t 17 steps).
How to Remove Mildew and Algae from a Wooden Fence: 17 steps
“Over time, wooden fences can get covered in algae and mildew. The growth generally occurs in shaded, moist locations. There are several ways you can clean …www.wikihow.com/Remove-Mildew-and-Algae-from-a-Wood…”
http://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Mildew-and-Algae-from-a-Wooden-Fence
Trimming and tying plants back was a good idea, but you should always allow a shallow “path” between a wood fence and plants. Allowing plants to snuggle or grow on the fence is asking for more maintenance by encouraging mildew from trapped moisture.
If you really want plants that climb or cling, try adding a trellis of some sort. You will get the same visual affect. Or, if you have shrubs and other kinds of plants growing close to your fence wall, consider planting segments of retainer walls to keep them off the fence.
While a power washer may seem like a quick way to zap off algae and mildew, it uses a lot of unnecessary water, is almost impossible to use in small areas, can pit the wood and can cause serious damage to pets or humans if they are hit by the power washer.
Nor does a power washer do anything for killing the bacteria that caused the mildew in the first place.
The article naturally raised the hair on the back of my neck when bleach was recommended to remove remaining stains from the fence. No warning of the harm to the soil, but a simple precaution of, “be careful not to get the bleach solution on your plants.”
There is another method you can try and it’s more eco-friendly. First, gather these materials:
- A bucket
- A steel brush
- 5% white vinegar solution – the amount will depend on how much fence you have to cover.
- A water hose (if needed)
Next, pour the vinegar into the bucket and take your steel brush with you. Target those areas with mildew and scrub with the brush that has been dipped in the vinegar. The vinegar will remove the mold and kills the bacteria that caused it. Rinse with water if needed.
Keep in mind that you still need to protect your plants from the vinegar, but this method will save you the trouble of covering everything in one swoop.
You can now do any repairs that are needed, such as sanding or fastening loose boards. When painting, staining or applying a wood preservative, look for brands that are both eco-friendly and contain mildew inhibitors.
