Wrought iron fencing has been widely embraced because of the visual appeal it imparts on a property. However, imagine leaving the fence without any form of maintenance done on routine – that would certainly make it an eyesore. This is talk less of the danger that rust could cause on the metal if it is not properly checked or maintained. That said, where there is proper care, you can rest assured that the fence will last for long and even remain attractive year in, and year out. And, it is not even too difficult to keep these fences in shape – routine maintenance of 2 – 3 times per year will do the trick. If you’re using a wrought iron fencing system in your house, you may need to read on to catch a glimpse of some care tips for your fence.
Regular Inspection
Yes, you will be cleaning your fence twice or thrice every year, but you should always take time out to run some regular checks. You should look out for loose fittings, damaged parts, and so on, and have them fixed as soon as possible. Also, while checking, you should make sure to get rid of any weeds or vines that might be growing on the fenceposts.
Cleaning
You should first prepare the warm, soapy water that will be used for the cleaning. Mind you, it is a mild soap that must be used for this purpose. You can then proceed to dip a soft cloth in the water and use it to clean the fence all through, getting rid of the debris that had stuck to the post over time. Once this is done, you can rinse off the soapiness with water and allow it to dry – you can use a clean towel or just leave it to the sun. You should not leave the soap to dry up on the fence as this could affect its aesthetic integrity. You may find a pressure washer useful for cleaning your wrought iron fence – but the machine must be set to operate at a low setting.
Repair the Rust
You shouldn’t leave rust to fester on your wrought iron fence. So, you can get a brush with a fine wire – not a coarse or heavy one – and use it to scrub off the rust spot. The sandpaper will suffice in the instance where the brush does not help to get it off. Thereafter use warm, soapy water to get rid of the leftover rust debris, rinse with water, and then leave it to dry. You should have something around the area to mark it off for easy identification later. Once it is dried, you can apply a tannic-acid rust converter to the area; add a protective spray, and apply oil-based paint.
Take Care of the Hinges
You should also take note of the hinges to see if they are still intact. A creaky sound from the hinges is indicative of the fact they need to be lubricated. So, once you notice this, you should apply the lubricant to keep them moistened. Nevertheless, it is a good maintenance practice to apply lubricant on the hinges of the iron fence once every year.
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