How to Keep Your Fence From Rusting

There is nothing worse than the sight of a rusty fence. It's an eyesore that bodes ill for the maintenance skills of the owner. If the fence outside is rusty, just imagine what the property it supposedly protects must be like. A rusty fence can stick out like a sore thumb and signal a serious drop in the resale value of the property.

For this reason, among many others, it's never a good idea to let your fence rust. No matter whether your property is residential or commercial, you need to keep it in good shape. A rusted out fence can't protect you from intruders. The better shape your fence is in, the better prepared you will be to protect the rest of your property.

Always Look Out for Signs of Rust

The average cost of a fence repair can range from $282 to $818. A lot will depend on what area you live in, what type of fence you have, and how much the local service in your area charges for such repairs. The best way for you to avoid having to shell out cash for a costly fence repair is to make sure that you take action when you see rust.

Rust on a fence can appear in several ways. The most common way is in the form of small, roundish spots. These can signal corrosion that results in a change of color. It's always a good idea to check your fence after a heavy rainstorm or every couple of days during the humid summer season. This is when rust is most likely to appear.

In the event that you do notice a bit of rust, you can apply a bit of sandpaper to rub it off. In most cases, the rust will then flake away. After you get rid of it, you should see the original color of the fence metal under it. Rub the sandpaper on the rust firmly to get it off. Don't rub so hard that you scrape the metal underneath.

If the rust spot is larger or more widespread, you may need more than simple sandpaper to get rid of it. In a case like this, your best bet may be to make use of a metal brush. Apply it vigorously in the same way that you would normally use sandpaper. Be sure to keep it squarely on the rust spots so as not to leave scrapes on the metal.

When the rust is really widespread, you may need to use a commercial cleaner that is designed to dissolve rust. Remember to wear gloves, eye goggles, and other forms of protective gear if needed. You don't want to splash rust cleanser in your eyes or get it on your hands. Depending on the formula, this can be very harsh and toxic stuff.

Galvanize Your Property Fence for Extra Protection

One of the very best methods that you can make use of in order to protect your fence from rust will be galvanizing it. This is a process that will involve coating your fence with a protective layer of industrial zinc. Once the zinc has dried, it will go straight to work giving your fence a special coating that will keep it from rusting.

You can use the galvanizing process on both iron and steel fences. Once applied, it will keep your fence safe from rust for quite a long time. Here and there, you may need to reapply this special coating to keep your protection fully up to date. You can either apply it yourself or have an expert local service do the work on your behalf.

Keep in mind that you can buy a pre-galvanized fence from most suppliers. This will save you the trouble of having to apply the process yourself. This will be your best bet if you are unable to handle the work on your own. It will cost a bit more but will surely be worth it in the long run. Galvanized fences have a much longer life span.

Galvanized fences come in many different shapes and styles. You can very easily find one that will match seamlessly with the decor of your home. For this reason, many home improvement experts will highly recommend that you replace your existing fence with one that has been galvanized. It's even better to just buy a new galvanized fence.

Sandblasting Can Free Your Fence From Rust

If you don't feel like going through the whole process of galvanizing your fence or just can't afford it at the moment, don't panic. There are plenty of other tactics that you can employ in order to free your fence from rust. One of the best ways that you can do so for a very cost effective price will be to sandblast the rust away.

Sandblasting is a process that involves blasting extremely small and fine bits of sand against your fence. The main method of delivery will be a nozzle fitted up to a very high speed compressor. It basically produces a blast of fine, sharp sand particles that act much in the way of a high speed wind howling its way across the Sahara.

This makes for a dangerous but very effective method of removing rust from your fence. You may have the skills to handle this operation yourself. If not, it's best to hire a local expert to come in and do it for you. Sandblasting is a very loud, very intense activity that you don't want to have to repeat. One time should be more than enough.

The idea will be to render your fence safe from rust, paint chips, and other residue that has accumulated on it over the years. Sandblasting will definitely accomplish this objective. The surface of your fence will soon be smooth and shiny again like it was when it was new. This leaves it ready to coat with a layer of zinc galvanizing.

Once the fence has been safely sandblasted and galvanized, you can paint it. At this point, it's best to choose high quality paint that will last for a long period of time without flaking. The higher the quality of paint that you use, the less likely you will have to repeat this operation any time soon. It's the best way to save labor.

Make Sure the Rust is Stripped Completely

One of the biggest mistakes that a fence owner can make is to apply protective coating or paint before all of the rust has really been stripped away. This is a major error that can have you back at square one in a very short period of time. It can even cause further harm to the fence to the point where it may be beyond a simple repair job.

The worst case scenario is to paint over the rust and thereby make the mistake of leaving it sealed inside. This is a very bad idea because the rust will continue to fester and spread under the coating. It's especially bad because, once the coating has been applied, you won't even be able to notice it spreading until it's too late.

Of course, in the end, you will spot the rust. It will literally burst through the coating, causing an enormous amount of damage. Instead of a few small spots, it will literally cover the fence, making for an enormous eyesore.

This is the moment where you will have to junk the entire structure and buy a new one. In the meantime, your home will be unprotected and its property value will be compromised.

If this is the case, you'll be in the position of having to tear it out by the roots and replace it with a completely new fence. This is why it's so crucial for you to make sure that every spot of rust is gone before you apply any kind of coating. Your best bet will be to use the sandblasting procedure to make sure the rust is vaporized.

Always Buy the Best Quality Property Fence

Keeping up with the neighbors is more crucial than most people will care to admit. It isn't just about who has the shiniest new car or the best trimmed lawn. It's really about whose home has the highest value and how it affects the rest of the homes in the area. Every part of your property, including your fence, needs to be in tip top shape.

There are plenty of methods that you can use in order to keep your fence free from rust and other hazards. But the very best thing that you can do to minimize such risks is to buy the very best quality fence that your budget can afford. This is not an area where you will profit by cutting corners or skimping on the quality of your fence.

In a situation like this, it's always best to go for the best fence you can afford. This is partly because doing so will add to the curb appeal and ultimate resale value of your property. It's the kind of sight that a potential buyer wants to see as the first thing they notice when they exit their vehicle. It shows you are a good owner.

Beyond resale value, there is the issue of basic property maintenance. How often do you want to have to be in the position of needing to fix your fence? This should be the kind of object that you need to pay as little attention to as possible. The idea is to have the fence checked every once in a while to make sure it isn't rusting.

This is why buying a modern fence that has already been galvanized and treated with rustproof solution is always your best bet. You may have to pay a bit more upfront for these services. But they will certainly be worth it in the long run. You'll have a high quality fence that needs very little maintenance and lasts for a very long time.

It's Time to Call a Renovation Expert

There is no better time than the present to get started on renovating every aspect of your property. One of the best places to start with is your outside barrier fence. This is the object that marks off your property from others in the neighborhood. You need to maintain it in an efficient and pleasing style to keep it from rusting out.

You will need to take action the very moment that you spot signs of rust or other forms of decay. These can slowly but surely creep up on your fence almost without your notice until they completely overwhelm the structure. Continual maintenance will be needed to make sure that your fence protects your home for many more years to come.

Your best bet in such a situation is to call in the assistance of a fence renovation and installation expert. This is the pro who can check your fence for any issues and give you a full diagnosis on its condition. They can suggest any repairs that need to be made, whether minor or major, in order to maintain the health of your fence.

If any chronic issues such as rust are spotted, your fence repair service can quickly correct them. In some cases, the rust may be so advanced as to require the replacement of a part of the fence. It may be that the whole fence needs to be replaced. If this should be the case, you can negotiate a reasonable price for this needed operation.

The health of your outside fence is a signpost to the condition of the rest of your property. This is the reason why you should take it so seriously. Others in your area will be watching to see how well you maintain this item. They want to know that you are doing your part as a good neighbor to keep home prices up for the benefit of all.