Cleaning a commercial fence is very much the same as cleaning a fence on your residential property. Generally, the chief difference is scale: Commercial fences are higher and longer most of the time. Some fences don’t need cleaning, like stone, or they don’t require special care, such as chain links. The materials that need careful cleaning include:

• Metal
• Vinyl
• Wood

Metal Fences

These might be fashioned from aluminum, steel, or even wrought iron. Each of these has advantages and disadvantages when it comes to cleaning. Wrought iron must be protected from rust, so the paint used on it must repel water. Aluminum needs a gentler touch than steel or wrought iron. Steel is the toughest. In general, the idea is to remove debris from the fence before cleaning. A pressure washer set on a medium setting will usually get most of the dirt off. For aluminum, use a lower setting. You can use practically any kind of brush on steel, but both aluminum and wrought iron require soft bristles. Use a mild industrial soap for stubborn dirt. Always rinse thoroughly.

Vinyl Fences

Unlike most metal fences, vinyl can stain. To get rid of the worst kinds of stains, add vinegar to the cleaning solution. You can use sponges and cloths to clean a vinyl fence, but the scale of commercial fences can make that a daunting job. It’s usually much better to use a pressure washer with a reservoir for a cleaning solution. Some pressure washers have a siphoning system instead, and these also work well. When cleaning vinyl, use a low setting on your pressure washer.

Wooden Fences

Fences made of wood sometimes sprout biological growths, particularly in wet climates. When this happens, you need to use a cleaning solution that includes bleach and/or vinegar. Use a pressure washer on a low setting. Wood fences also need protection from the elements. Once you’ve cleaned the fence, let it dry completely. Then, add either stain and sealant or just sealant if you want a rustic look. Wood will need cleaning more often than metal or vinyl, so be diligent when it comes to keeping your wooden fence clean.

Professional Experience and Know-How

We’ll use the right cleaning solutions for your fence. We also know the right settings for our equipment to avoid damage. Fences need routine maintenance and repairs, too. Our know-how and experience over the last two decades cover those services. So, whenever you need commercial fence cleaning or other fence-related services, call Reagan Fence in Kansas City, MO.