Vinyl comes with a number of benefits. As a contractor, offering your clients this type of fence can help them get the durable, safe, long-lasting boundary they deserve. Plus, because vinyl fences defend against a lot of the issues other fencing types encounter, they can highlight your work and help it look its best for years to come.
More good news: when it comes to maintenance, vinyl fences don’t need much.
Still, you probably want to leave your clients with a few tips to manage the minimal upkeep their new fence requires. Here are some best practices you can pass along to help your clients keep their fence looking its best.
Regular rinse-downs to keep it sparkling
The biggest maintenance vinyl fencing needs is periodic rinsing. Showering the fence with a simple garden hose should be enough to remove dirt and debris and restore the fence’s sheen. We recommend planning to rinse down the fence twice a year.
In areas where the dirt is stubborn, your clients won’t need a specialized cleaner. Instead, dipping a rag in some water with a few drops of dish soap should be sufficient.
Addressing of algae, mildew and stains
That said, depending on where the fence is installed, your client might need to do additional maintenance periodically.
If the fence is in a shady and particularly wet part of their property, mold or mildew could grow on it. The vinyl shouldn’t get damaged by this growth, but removing it helps the fence look its best.
To nip this problem in the bud, your clients can mix one part vinegar with eight parts water. Spray that on the problem area and leave it for ten minutes. Then, scrub the area with a soft-bristled brush and rinse the area clean.
A magic eraser can help with any tough stains.
Advise your clients not to use anything abrasive on the fence. Cleaning implements like steel wool or harsh chemicals like bleach can damage or discolor the vinyl. Let them know that the vinyl can scratch so they know to treat it with care as they scrub away any rare stains.
Protecting the fence’s structure
When you install the vinyl fence, it should serve as a sturdy boundary for years to come. Your clients can take some additional steps to keep it that way.
For starters, tell them to periodically trim vegetation that would otherwise press on or grow over the fence. Also, advise them not to lean anything heavy against the fence.
An annual check of the fence can help them spot any small issues that need attention, too. Fixing any screws or caps that are loose keeps all of the parts of the fencing working together as intended.
Defending against specific risks
Vinyl is designed to be durable and low-maintenance. If your client is concerned about how it will weather through the years, though, you can recommend that they apply some additional protections.
For areas that will get a lot of harsh sunlight, for example, periodically applying a UV protectant on items that reflect sunlight in your yard (like low-e windows) helps to guard your fence against wear and fading. Or in areas where mold and mildew are a concern, they can add a mold-resistant coating.
We strongly suggest that our contractor customers offer these cleaning services to their customers at the time of sale as another way to make revenue and to keep the fence they installed looking its best for future customers to see.
We’re here to help you answer any questions your clients might have. For help educating them so they can enjoy their vinyl fence through the years, contact our Vinyl Craft team today.
