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When it comes to the old saying “Good fences make good neighbors,” only those who have properly maintained their fences can really say that. From choosing a durable fence material to general upkeep and maintenance, any fence can show wear and tear over time. While wood and chain link fences are classic choices, vinyl has become an increasingly popular option in recent years as it is durable, easy to clean, and requires little maintenance. Vinyl fences are also very attractive and come in a wide variety of colors. Some likely maintenance you will face with your vinyl fence repair is a hole. Following are the steps to fixing holes and cracks in your vinyl fence.

Step One: Clean the Fence

Prior to tackling any hole in your vinyl fence, be sure to properly clean the area. With a clean cloth and a simple and inexpensive water and dish soap mix, rub it over the area and then rinse and dry.

Step Two: Sanding

With a medium-grit piece of sandpaper, sand gently around the hole in the fence. You don’t want to do this too hard to really scratch the vinyl, just enough to remove any sharp edges around the hole or crack. Use the sandpaper 3 inches out from the area in need of repair.

Step Three: Expanding Foam

When it comes to filling the hole, expanding foam is an excellent choice. For holes that are larger than 1″, you’ll have to fill it. Fill the hole slowly with the foam and allow it to expand. The foam should overflow from the fence’s hole to ensure a full fill. Let it dry overnight.

Step Four: Remove Foam

After it has fully dried overnight, use a small handsaw to buzz the excess foam off the fence.

Step Five: Sand the Foam

Next, use some more of that medium-grit sandpaper to smooth out the foam and make sure it is flush with the fence’s surface. Then use the sandpaper to indent the foam slightly so it is slightly concave.

Step Six: Clean Again

Clean the fence again with a damp cloth to ensure it is clean of any dirt or debris.

Step Seven: Plastic Filler

Where the foam has the small indent, apply the plastic filler and smooth it out with the rest of the fence.

Step Eight: Sand and Paint

One last sanding of the plastic filler, apply a little paint that matches the rest of the fence, and you are done.

It seems hard to imagine that there was a time when one bought houses without the benefit of a comprehensive home inspection, but the truth is that the stand-alone home inspection industry is a relatively new creation. It used to be that you were on your own, complete caveat emptor, and if you bought a house that had problems, then you were stuck with them.

The idea behind an official home inspection is that you have a trained professional look at your prospective purchase and offer up an informed opinion as to the condition of the property. While this works great in theory, the practical reality is that there are some pitfalls in the way that the system actually operates in the real world.

Look For An Experienced Home Inspector
Some home inspectors have never worked in the construction industry, and are only licensed because they took a training course and obtained a certification.   Paying a little more for experience can pay off big time.  Look for a home inspector or home inspection service with a proven history of ground-level experience in the things they are passing judgment on.

For some, a home inspection is simply a required box-checking exercise for approval on a mortgage application, and any inspector will do.  However, if you really what to know what potential issues you may run into in the future, or existing issued that require immediate attention, you need to hire an independent inspector with real-world building experience.  Certification and licenses are important of course, but an inspector with years of industry experience will notice things that are easily missed by someone without the experience.    It’s that trained eye that can spot issues that can cost hundreds or even thousands later on if not properly addressed.  They take the time to search high and low and to thoroughly inspect all of the major home systems and appliances.  Professional inspectors will usually provide a detailed report with color pictures showing that they found, and even in some cases their recommendations to remedy the issue.

If you are purchasing a new home, do a little due diligence on the home inspector,  – you’ll be glad you did.

Cedar has long been a popular choice as a fencing material. Cedar wood is extremely durable, and holds up well to outdoor weather conditions. As such, a cedar fence will generally outlast fences made from softer, less durable wood, such as pine. In addition to its inherent durability, the natural oils present within the wood will help to deter insect damage and rotting.

A cedar fence is quite beautiful, adding to the overall visual appeal of a home’s landscape. Natural cedar has an attractive, rustic look, making it an excellent choice for backyard fences. Cedar does not need to be chemically treated, making it a good choice for families who prefer to use natural products. Sealants are also not required in order for cedar to remain durable outdoors. In fact, applying a sealant to cedar is generally not recommended, due to the natural oils in the wood.

A properly installed cedar fence will look great for a long time. Not only will the wood resist the ravages of the weather, but it will also maintain its straight and aligned appearance. Although many types of wood are prone to warping or shrinking over time, cedar tends to retain its shape and size beautifully.

If a cedar fence is not stained, it will gradually weather and fade to a gray color. Although many people truly love the look of weathered cedar, in some cases this natural fading is not desired. In order to avoid this natural fading, the wood can be stained.

It is true that a cedar fence costs more than most other wood fences, but still one of the most affordable fence materials. However, considering how durable and long-lasting cedar can be, it is still a good buy. A cedar fence is a good choice for the homeowner who wants to save money, and doesn’t mind a little maintenance in order to keep it in good condition. Sometimes homeowners consider using pressure treated wood for outdoor fences, in order to save on costs. The chemicals applied to pressure treated wood do increase the wood’s durability. However, pressure treated wood must be stained and sealed, thus adding to the maintenance required to keep it looking good. Cedar, on the other hand, is a remarkably low maintenance wood.

A fence keeps people or pets where they belong and also keeps strangers and wild or curious animals off of a property. Fencing might follow the entire property line, hem in a backyard, or just secure the area around a pool or vegetable garden. Fences are decorative and/or practical, often a bit of both. Here are some fence styles to consider as you prepare to have your own fence installed.

Chain Link

This is the least stylish and most commonly-seen type of fencing in the US. Chain link fences are secure and clearly state the boundary of a commercial or residential property. Chain link is mostly used for practical applications, not to achieve something attractive.

Wood Options

Wood is a relatively cheap fencing material but requires some maintenance and is more prone to damage and weathering than vinyl or metal. Depending on the grade of wood, it could crack or warp after successive heavy rainfalls or many days in the hot sun. Wood, however, is versatile and beautiful. The Dog Eared style is very popular: straight boards lined up without a cap and no gaps. A capped style with a parallel bottom feature is the Picture Frame style and a semi-private Shadow Box offers a small gap.

Metal

Aluminum and steel are very strong, almost maintenance-free. Tubes of metal form straight, uniform lines, scallops, or pyramids with pointed or ball tops. Posts are set at various distances from one another so they don’t provide complete privacy, but they are sturdy and simple. Metal won’t wear out during extreme weather and metal is favored for security purposes. An epoxy coating gives customers a wide range of color choices.

Wrought Iron

Numerous elegant, ornamental fence styles are created from wrought iron including Gothic. It has the antique look of something you might see on a late 19th or early 20th Century home in eastern America or on a modern English street. Because there’s little privacy offered by the gaps, wrought iron and other metal fences often stand at the end of a long drive with a gate of the same material featuring ornate iron work. Wrought iron will last decades without maintenance and comes in various powder-coated shades.

Does your beautiful cedar fence have discoloration? Never fear. This post will walk you through when and how to clean your fence.

As cedar ages, the wood slowly changes color. Your fence will progress into a grayish (or even silver) shade over time. You cannot simply clean this natural discoloration away.

Black spots or stains, on the other hand, are not the natural progression. Cleaning can remove ugly black marks from your fence.

What causes these black marks?

The most common culprits are tannins, mildew, and mold. Tannins ordinarily leach from cedar wood, and do not normally cause any problems. However, when tannins mix with metal and iron, a chemical reaction occurs and a black stain can form.

Cedar, along with any other wood, is a natural habitat for mildew and mold. The spores can thrive on your fence. Thankfully, cleaning usually removes mildew and mold stains.

First, spot-check the stain. This simple test checks to see if the stain is from mildew and mold, or from tannins. Simply rub a small drop of bleach onto the stain, and wait a few minutes. If the stain lightens, mold is the likely culprit. You can proceed with the cleaning. If it doesn’t lighten, you are likely dealing with tannins. You can

Fill a bucket with a gallon of warm water. Add a little bleach (not too much—it can ruin the wood!).
Using a soft rag, gently wipe the stain. Scrubbing hard can permanently scratch the wood, causing damage. Once you have cleaned all of the black stains, allow the wood to dry in the sun. The stains should be noticeably lighter. You can proceed again until the stains are gone, if necessary.

What happens if your stains did not lighten in your spot test? It means you likely have tannin stains and will need something a little more powerful than bleach to clean your fence.
To clean the tannin stains, you will need a mixture of warm water and a small amount of oxalic acid. Wearing protective goggles and gloves, carefully wipe the tannin stains with a soft cloth dipped into the cleaning mixture. Wipe over the area with a dry cloth, and allow to air dry.

If you are in the Boise area, and unable to clean your fence, or would prefer to stain it to rejuvenate the whole thing at once, consider contacting a fencing contractor in Boise like Boulder Creek Fence. Cedar fencing professionals can help you restore your cedar fence to near new beauty.

A fence is a big investment, but well worth it.    Whether you have children, pets or want more privacy, a fence can make a real difference to the layout of your premises. Here’s how to choose the right fencing contractor at the first time of asking.

A fencing contractor’s reputation is of paramount importance. Always consult trade associations and consumer protection groups in your area, to see whether a potential contractor has received any complaints. Databases and forums related to consumer complaints are available online too. Try to make a habit of asking all potential contractors for some local references.

A reputable fencing contractor will visit your home initially, then give you a written proposal free of charge. Refrain from hiring any contractor who gives a telephone estimate, without first visiting your property. By meeting the contractor in person, you will gain a good insight into the likely quality of his or her work. The contractor ought to be prompt, polite and knowledgeable.

Many contractors will offer addresses of previous projects. This gives you confidence in their ability, and is especially useful if you are finding it hard to picture how a certain kind of fence will look, after it is fitted. Inquire whether the contractor has a portfolio of projects you can look at, to assess their level of expertise initially.

The project proposal you are given should cover every detail. This includes the kind of materials, gates, fence and footage requirements. Proceed with caution, if one contractor offers a considerably lower price than the other professionals you have contacted.

Always insist on seeing the insurance statement and business license of any prospective contractor. Trustworthy contractors will be properly licensed to conduct business in your locale. Also, they will have the insurance to cover any damage or injuries that might arise during the project. Furthermore, some contractors might specialize in certain kinds of fencing materials or fences. It could be sensible to avoid hiring any contractor, who normally installs a different kind of fence to the one you want to install. If possible, you should try to find a contractor who specializes in your specific type of installation.