Is there a green, flaky substance on your fence? Remove it by doing this!
Are you noticing that there is a light green, flaky material growing on your wood fence? The longer it stays, the more wood it covers. While it might look rustic to some, it might be worrying and unsightly to others. If you’d like to keep up the curb appeal of a clean wood fence, here’s how to remove lichen from it.
Will Lichen Harm My Wood Fence?
Lichen does not have roots, so it will not burrow into your fence by any means. The same goes if lichen is growing on a tree. Lichen thrives off of sunlight and moisture; you can technically leave the lichen on the wood fence and not expect any harm. On the other hand, do you care for a fence caked in lichen? If not, read on to learn how to remove lichen from a wood fence.
How to Remove Lichen from a Wood Fence
You can use different methods to remove the lichen from your wood fence. One is to use a scraper or some kind, like a knife, and simply scrape the lichen off. You can also try wetting it first.
Another method is to scrub it off with a stiff brush.
Yet another method is to use a pressure washer; just make sure to keep the pressure low enough to avoid damaging the wood.
Is there a detergent to use besides water? Yes! You could use dish soap mixed with water, but you could also use a traditional insecticide/fungicide called potassium salts of fatty acids, also known as soap salts. That chemical may be the most tried and true way to remove lichen safely. Otherwise, you could also just seek out a commercial lichen remover.
How to Keep Your Wood Fence Looking Great
If you don’t mind a bit of lichen growing on your fence, then there is no need to worry. However, just know that if it is growing on a tree, it does indicate that that part of the tree is likely not in good health. Does the same apply to wood fences? You can keep your wood fence lasting as long as possible by preventing plants from growing on it, cleaning it, sealing it, and repairing it as needed.
Call Mid-Atlantic Deck & Fence For Your New Deck or Fence!
Mid-Atlantic Deck & Fence has almost 30 years of experience in building beautiful custom fences, gazebos, screened-in porches, and decks throughout the state of Maryland. We have the expertise to design your dream fence or custom deck and have it installed in a headache-free process. Give us a call at 1-800-833-9310 or visit us online for a quote today! We offer many different styles of fencing and decking, in addition to custom options designed specifically to suit your preferences and tastes. To see examples of our work and get more tips on how to choose the right decking for your family, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Houzz, Pinterest, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
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