How to Maintain PVC fencing: 4 Easy Steps

#1 Clean the fence regularly. Mix a bit of non-abrasive household detergent with water, gently sponge away any grime and spray the fence down with a hose. Most greasy or oily stains can be easily wiped away with mineral spirits and a soft cloth.

1. Begin by hosing down the entire fence with a garden hose.
2. Use the sprayer attachment to get some force behind the water.
3. Clean from the bottom of the fence to the top, working in small sections.
4. The hose will remove most of the dirt and grime, but there may be a few areas that are stubborn and require some scrubbing.
5. To tackle these, fill a bucket with warm water and add some dish soap to it.
6. Agitate the water to mix it well.
7. Moisten the old cloth or towel with the water and begin wiping the fence. A non-abrasive scrubber can be used for stubborn areas.
8. Once clean, rinse again with the hose.

For tough grass stain try the following steps:

1. Begin by cleaning the fence using the general cleaning method described above.
2. Protect your hands with rubber gloves.
3. Moisten a soft cloth with either mineral spirits or tar remover.
4. Gently rub the stained area. Do not apply too much pressure or it will leave a polished mark.
5. Once the stain is removed, rinse thoroughly with water. This can be done with a bucket or the garden hose.

#2 Check the fence’s stability. No matter how securely your vinyl fence has been installed, sometimes freeze, thaw cycles and other natural forces can loosen its posts. It’s a good idea to periodically walk the fence line and make sure everything is still firm and straight. If the fence is unstable in any areas, use a shovel to adjust the earth around the posts and backfill as necessary.

#3 Inspect the post caps. Due to expansion and contraction caused by shifting weather conditions, it’s not uncommon for snap-in fence post caps to become loose. Use a specially formulated PVC fence glue to secure the caps back in place. If your post caps need repairing, check out our tip #4 below!

 

#4 Repair any broken pieces. Although vinyl fencing is flexible and durable, it can still be damaged if struck by a heavy object, such as a fallen tree limb. If this happens, it’s important to order replacement pieces that most closely match the original broken components. The actual repair procedures vary by circumstance—sometimes the fix is simple, while other times it requires moving another section of fencing and working backward.Before purchasing a vinyl fence, make sure you examine it to ensure you’re getting the best possible product. Simply holding a test piece will tell you how resistant the fence will be to pressure and impact, whether it stretches and bends too easily, and other important characteristics.

• Fixing Loose Posts Due to Frost

Frost buildup during the winter can lead the posts of a vinyl fence to become loose. In such a case you will be required to dig out the posts and dig deeper holes. After digging the holes deeper make sure to make the holes wider at their bases. It may be necessary for you to use cement that will make the posts more solid in the ground. When digging the holes, try as much as possible to dig them deeper past the frost depth because if you leave the holes on the frost depth after repairing them, they will end up having the same problem later on. After you have dug the holes deep enough and at the base they are wider, put in the posts and add cement to the hole. The cement will dry and make the posts firm so that future frost won’t make them unstable.