Fences are a beautiful way to spruce up your property. Unfortunately, the elements tend to take a toll on vinyl, metal and especially wood. Wood weathers as it dries and ages, which leaves its surface looking dull and gray. In humid climates, moss and algae can form, sometimes producing slimy or powdery-looking stains on your fence.

Vinyl fences can also grow mildew or algae, and metal fences may rust. If your wood fence is painted, then with time, the paint could chip and peel. With that in mind, it’s a good idea to power wash wood fence rails and posts to remove that old paint so you can apply a fresh coat.

While there are numerous cleaning methods for fences that could be done by hand, they’re not as effective or efficient as power washing. If you want to power wash fence posts and rails, it’s surprisingly easy! This job should be done at least once a year, in spring. Though depending on what your climate throws at your fence, you may want to do it again in autumn. Here are some tips to show you how to clean a fence.

How to Pressure Wash Fence Posts and Rails

There are a few keys to pressure wash your fence properly. First, be sure to choose the right nozzle. For wood fences, this means using a 25-degree nozzle. Angles less than that could leave gouges in the wood, while wider angles may not have quite enough pressure to blast algae, mildew and grime. For vinyl and metal fences, you can safely use 15-degree nozzles — especially if you’d like to remove old paint and rust from metal.

Whether you’re pressure washing wood fence components or another material, make sure to hold the pressure washer wand’s tip at least 12 inches from the fence, up to 24 inches. This is especially important with wood — any closer and you could risk gouging or splintering the wood’s surface.

While pressure washing, work in small sections and use a back-and-forth motion. Also consider placing plastic tarps over plants if you have garden beds near the fence. This step helps protect them from excess water or to keep paint chips off the plants if you’re removing paint.

Pressure Washing Is the Best Way to Clean a Fence — No Matter the Material

For this task, check out SIMPSON’s line of residential pressure washers. With gas and electric models, you can easily find the right machine for the job. If you’re a homeowner, then you’ll find that a pressure washer is an invaluable addition to your collection of tools, not only for washing fences, but for all kinds of other tasks. Use a SIMPSON pressure washer to clean your car, outdoor equipment, lawn and patio furniture, your home’s siding, driveways, sidewalks, and so much more!