How do I protect my fence from rotting? What can cause a fence to rot?

Remember when your fence was brand new? The wood was pristine, the stain perfect – nothing like the damaged, discolored, fungi-infested mess you now have taking up space on the perimeter of your lawn. The family budget can finally afford a fence replacement, but you’re worried that after a few years of rain, snow, sun, and pests, your pricey investment could look the same as it does now. Relax, take a breath, and read on to see how you can keep your fence looking great despite what nature’s going to throw at it.

Consistent Staining or Use Wood Alternative

If you haven’t installed the fence yet then you should consider the type of material for your fence to make sure you are using something that is low maintenance and will last over the long haul (e.g., vinyl, steel, etc.).

If you already have a wooden fence installed on your property then you need to consistently apply a protective stain every few years to avoid deterioration. Once the stain has fully faded from the wood, you’ll know it is time to reapply a new coat of stain.

Install Fence Post in a Cement Foundation

Two different types of rot – wet and dry.

Wet rot is caused by moisture or dampness. When the fence is constantly exposed to wet soil, it can gradually rot and eventually collapse.

Dry rot is caused by particular fungi species, leading to decay and weak fence. Dry rot also invites termites to come over.

To prevent wet rot, protect your fence starting from installation. Install fence posts in a cement foundation, which strengthens your fence and protects it from dampness. You can also use materials that resist rotting, such as redwood and cedar. Protect your fence against dry rot by applying a protective oil or primer. This doesn’t only protect your fence but also improves its aesthetics.

Proper Installation

The best way to protect against and avoid a rotting fence post is to make sure it is installed correctly.

The most important factor is to minimize water from settling and accumulating around the base of the post. We recommend using pressure-treated wood or metal for fence posts but these tips work great for untreated wood posts as well.

For a proper install, it is best to put a couple of inches of gravel at the bottom of the hole that you have dug for your post. The gravel will allow for proper drainage below the base of the post to minimize water from accumulating around the bottom and rotting the post from the inside out.

Once this is done you can pour your concrete just below ground level, about an inch or two is best. Before the concrete is set you can use a trowel or a small piece of wood to gently grade the concrete away from the middle of the post making a gentle slope for water to drain away from the middle of the post.

When cutting the top of the post to your desired height you can cut the post at a slight angle, about 20 degrees, which will minimize water from sitting at the top and rotting the post. These steps will help ensure there is proper drainage and increase the lifespan of any wood post.

A couple more tips for reducing rotting and increasing the lifespan of your wood post include seasonal painting or staining of the post which will create a nice clean look as well as repel water and protect the post.  Make sure to paint or stain the top of the post to ensure water will not penetrate the top. You can also use decorative post caps that will protect the top from water as well. Using these simple tips, you can increase the life of your post and the longevity of your fence.

Five Ways to Ensure Fence Longevity

1. Choose suitable materials

The wooden fence on the ground looks very attractive, but it also absorbs moisture from the environment, so it is easy to rot due to the water penetrating the wood. An excellent way to prevent this is to use concrete fence posts or wooden fence posts because this way, the wood will not touch the ground and hang about 10 cm above it. Using wooden fence posts is an inexpensive way to prevent water seepage in the fence, and it works well with wooden walls. Concrete is also an option. It is more expensive, but has a longer lifespan, is more robust, and does not rot in the long run.

2. Footings should be inclined away from the wood

When you lay a concrete foundation, you must tilt its top to keep it away from the wood where water can run away. This means that water can be drained from the wood, and the water will not be absorbed into the wood and may cause rot.

3. Handle wooden fence boards and posts correctly

You must dispose of your wooden fences and posts to help protect them and protect them from decay and other things that may harm them. When installing a wooden fence, you need to apply a preservative to the wood and then perform maintenance once a year because it prevents the wood from absorbing water. By sealing the wood, there is no room to absorb moisture.

4. Remove remaining debris near the fence

You need to make sure to remove anything from the bottom of the fence, such as leaves, plants, or cut grass because they will accumulate over time and can enter the wall, where the wood has almost no cracks and cuts. When the material starts to rot in the gaps, it will spread upward through the wood and cause a lot of damage and decay to the wood fence. Therefore, regular cleaning is required to remove any debris around the bottom of the wooden fence.

5. Replace rotten areas

If part of your wooden fence starts to rot, you need to replace the area immediately because it can spread to other factors, and then more walls must be replaced, so it also costs more money. In most cases, it may be the first to rot the fence posts because they are underground and absorb moisture from them, so pay close attention to the posts. After replacing a part of the fence, you only need to clean the entire wall thoroughly and then apply a layer of wood stain or preservative!

• Wet rot

When wood absorbs moisture and stays damp for a long time; it can cause wet rot, which is the perfect home for fungi. This is the type of decay that most commonly affects wooden fences. Wet rot usually occurs at the bottom of walls, near the ground, or in other places where the wood cannot be dried well. Over time, this type of decay can cause the wood to crack, split, and generally weaken because the fibers become soft when consumed by the fungus.

• Dry rot

Dry rot is caused by continuous exposure to hot and dry conditions until all the natural oil in the wood is exhausted. This drier, softer wood becomes a host for another type of fungus, which erodes the fibers and weakens the wood. The structure that suffers from dry rot becomes brittle, breaks easily, and may even collapse when touched.

Clean Debris Regularly and Install a Gravel Board

Wet rot is due to regular contact with moisture, common when there are plants near the base of the fence, or the parts of the fence that are embedded in the soil. Dry rot, on the other hand, is due to constant exposure to high temperatures that slowly degrade the protective coating.

Protecting against rot starts right from the construction of the fence. Select a hardy type of wood, such as redwood, cypress, or cedar, and all the better if it is treated. Stain the fence at least yearly, depending on your area’s climate. Use a good quality wood preservative to help increase the fence’s defense against the elements. Regularly clean any debris at the base of the fence to prevent the spread of moisture. You can also install a gravel board at the base to help absorb the moisture and protect the base of the fence.