CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE

 CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE

Martin Beaumont, creator of Monty Miracle, looks at the right way to clean and maintain wooden fencing.

A lot of skill goes into creating a good fence – so looking after it is only right.

This is not about cleaning after any damage is done, this is about maintenance: making sure that the lovely wood and structure is protected throughout the year.

We’ve just come out of the wettest winter in 130 years – and yet at the time of writing, the UK is basking in glorious sunshine. The weather is incredibly unpredictable.

Environmental changes can cause swelling and cracks in wood, creating the perfect breeding ground for organic growth, moss and algae – and if left untreated, these can damage the structure, as well as looking unsightly.

And yet we still see people power-washing wooden fences for a quick clean. This is a sure-fire way to exacerbate any damage and cause further splitting and splintering.

Quality timber should last for years. And a well-built fence is more than a boundary, it’s an attractive construction that has taken time and skill to build. It’s therefore important that customers are informed on long-term maintenance as opposed to quick fixes. It’s vital that organic growth and dirt is dealt with and that any tiny cracks are not worsened by the wrong kind of aggressive cleaning.

Softwashing using a liquid cleaner is a good alternative approach to power washing – as it helps prevent splintering, splitting and further deterioration.

I spent years working at English Heritage so I’m passionate about maintaining wood and stone. It’s easy for professionals and amateurs to use a cleaner like this – it’s simply applied to the surface with a hand-held pump. The product’s unique formulation cleans, cleanses and eliminates organic growth and organic staining, and following the process the solution is fully neutralised, allowing it to safely go into the soil, onto wet grass or down drains.

More eco-conscious, quicker, kinder to the wood.

Good fencing work is a skill. Which is why the care, cleaning and maintenance of it is so important. By advising customers well, away from a ‘fast fix’, we can be sure that their quality fencing will remain looking good – with the wood respected and protected for years to come.

www.montymiracle.co.uk

Ben Walton