Four Tips on Maintaining Your Iron Fence

Iron fencing can bring sophistication and beauty to your property. It’s a reliable, sturdy and appealing way to keep your yard contained and adds elegance to your lot. However, maintaining your fence is important to preserve its look and longevity. By following these tips and guidelines, you’ll be on your way to having a long-lasting iron fence for years to come.

1. Keep It Clean

With any fence, dirt and grime can build up and make it look unpleasant. Not only is it unappealing to look at, it risks causing other problems, such as rust. To clean iron fencing you can use an easy at-home mixture of warm water and dish soap. Scrub any dirt away with an old cloth and use an old toothbrush to get into hard to reach crevices. Wash away any excess soap with a garden hose and your fence will be looking brand new. You should do this at least once a year for the best results, preferably in late spring.

2. Protect Your Fence

One thing about iron fencing is that it can chip or rust and the last thing you want is for it to look off-putting. This type of fence can be very elegant especially when maintained well. By repainting your fence and gateways, it will protect the iron from air and water, which will prevent rusting. A good tip at the sign of rust is to sand down any effected spots and later seal with wax. This will stop the erosion and will protect your fence. If you’re up to it, you can wax your entire fence in order to keep it from further damages.

3. Bend It Back

Sometimes weather or minor accidents can bend your fence out of shape. If you trust your handy work, bending the fence back into place can be done with a few simple household tools. By using a hand-held blowtorch and hammer, you can bend sections back with heat. Make sure to use protective eyewear and clothing while performing such jobs and consider consulting a local fencing expert if you’re not confident doing it on your own. Safety comes first!

4. Inspect Regularly

In order to maintain your iron fencing for as long as possible, do regular inspections. Maybe you’ll do so every season while you shovel snow, rake leaves or cut the lawn. Whichever works best for you, catching any problems early will help you keep your fence in tip top shape. Look for any chips, cracks or rust and act accordingly to the work that has to be done. Follow these tips and guidelines and your iron fencing will look fantastic for many years to come.

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