How Should the Concrete Fence Be Maintained When You Have Finished the Job UK

A properly maintained concrete fence can enhance the aesthetics of your property and also boost its value. However, lack of timely care can lead to rapid deterioration due to exposure to harsh weather elements and other factors. So it is critical to have a comprehensive maintenance plan, right from the time of installing a new concrete fence. Consulting with Acorn Fencing Aldershot can provide expert guidance on developing and implementing an effective maintenance strategy to preserve the integrity and appearance of your concrete fencing investment.

Initial Inspection

Before doing anything else, carry out a meticulous initial inspection of your recently constructed concrete fence. This will help you identify any flaws or deficiencies to address right away. It also establishes a benchmark to assess the condition of the fence over time.

Importance of Initial Inspection

Helps discover any defects like cracks, chips or honeycombing in the concrete
Reveals if the installation meets standards and specifications
Gives a snapshot of overall quality to compare against in future
Determines what maintenance tasks are necessary right after construction

Tools Needed

Visual inspection tools – You need a flashlight, small mirror, magnifying glass etc. to examine all facets of the fence and spot any tiny flaws.
Moisture meters – Use moisture meters to check if any excess moisture is trapped within the concrete, which can cause internal damage.
Crack gauges – These measure crack widths precisely, which indicates the extent of underlying issues.

Document Findings

Take pictures – Photographic records of any existing damage or defects will be useful for insurance purposes and to compare deterioration over time.
Record key details – Note down the number, width, length, location and type of each crack. Also document percentage readings from moisture meters.
Sketch damage locations – Mark on a site map where exactly you found chipped areas, cracks, stains etc.

Cleaning and Preparing the Concrete Surface

While your newly built concrete fence may look perfectly fine at first, it still needs proper cleaning and preparation for long-lasting performance.

Clearing Debris and Vegetation

Dirt accumulation – Due to weathering and environmental exposure
Weed growth – In warmer months, moisture and dirt facilitate weed germination in tiny gaps and crevices
Moss/algae – Damp shaded areas often attract these growths
Remove weed overgrowth – Trimming thick vegetation that sprouts around the concrete fence perimeter
Clear out debris – Including mud, fallen leaves, bird droppings etc. adhering to the surface
Eliminate biological buildup – Scrape off any moss, algae etc. using wire brushes, followed by disinfecting

Power Washing

Deep clean the porous surface – Removing stuck-on contaminants that brushing cannot eliminate
Prepare for protective coatings – The application of sealers, paints etc. requires a grime-free blank concrete slate

Pressure Washer Tips

Optimal PSI – Around 3000 PSI is forceful enough for concrete cleaning without being too abrasive
Choose fan tips – Fan spray tips evenly distribute pressure to avoid surface damage
Keep 6-12 inches distance – Holding the pressure washer wand too close can etch concrete

After you finish pressure washing:

Check for unseen flaws – The cleaned surface may reveal additional hairline cracks and faults
Allow to dry fully – Prevent sealer peel-off; moisture impedes proper adhesion

Damage Repair

Upon close inspection after cleaning, you may discover some hairline cracks, small chips, pop-outs and similar minor defects. Use the following techniques to fix them before coating applications:

Crack injection – Use low-viscosity resins/epoxies to fill narrow cracks
Chip filling – Patch small missing chunks with concrete filler compound
Stone hardener – Hardens and strengthens the surface; use for minor pop-outs

Applying Protective Coatings

The initial seals and finishes applied on a new concrete fence safeguards it from premature deterioration. Re-application at regular intervals is prerequisites for enhanced longevity.

Importance of Protective Coatings

Concrete sealers and similar coatings provide two key benefits:

Weatherproofs surface – Protects against freeze-thaw damage, corrosive salts, wind and rain erosion etc.
Enhances visual appeal – Available in gloss, satin, matte and colored finishes to augment aesthetics

So investing in suitable surface finishes tailored for concrete fences makes good economic sense.

Choosing Products

With various types of coatings for concrete available, including:

Acrylics
Polyurethanes
Epoxies
Urethanes

Make your selection as per:

Specific concrete material – Limestone, slag, granite etc. have unique porosities and densities
Desired finish and features – Glossy or satin? Moisture blocking or UV resistance? Colored or clear?
Environmental conditions – Humidity, temperature extremes and other factors determine ideal coating specs

Install coating products strictly according to manufacturer recommendations.

Best Practice Application Methods

Follow these top tips for flawless finish coats on concrete fences:

Surface Preparation

Clean off existing sealers completely
Use solvents and etchers to expose bare concrete and facilitate adhesion
Repair all cracks and holes before coating
Allow adequate drying as per product guidelines

Application

Maintain ambient and surface temperatures within product specs
Use rollers and pads suitable for high-solid coatings
Establish proper film thickness by spreading rate calculations
Apply multiple thin layers for even coverage; avoid pooling
Start at the bottom and work upwards to prevent drips
Allow proper cure times between consecutive coats

If hiring contractors, verify credentials, examples of previous projects, and consumer reviews before finalizing.

Ongoing Maintenance Practices

Proper concrete fence maintenance doesn’t end after the initial construction and coating stages. You need to remain vigilant and undertake specific maintenance tasks continually over its entire service life cycle.

Regular Inspections and Cleaning

Schedule seasonal inspections – Minimum twice a year; additionally after extreme weather events
Check for new cracks and flaws – Focus on high stress areas like corners
Assess previous repairs – Do patched sections show signs of failure?
Look for coating wear – Indicated by fading, flaking or increased porosity
Document with photos – Demonstrate progression of any deterioration
Clean routinely – Sweep often; pressure wash annually

Spot clean as necessary to remove:

Oil/grease drips
Rust discolorations
Bird droppings

Using the right industrial-grade cleaning agents for the stubbornness of each type of stain.

Address Issues Proactively

Repair minor cracks ASAP – Before they expand into major structural defects
Consider protective sealers – Adding extra moisture protection in leak-prone areas
Get professional help for major damage – Like replacement of large broken sections
Renew protective finishes – Based on rate of wear according to usage intensity

Being proactive saves you from huge hassles later on.

Seasonal Considerations

The maintenance regimen needs to accommodate seasonal variations too:

Winter

Prevent accumulation of snow against fence – Can impose heavy static load
Apply concrete deicers cautiously – Excess salt can disintegrate concrete
Power wash after winter to eliminate salt residue
Inspect storm damage – Freeze-thaw cycles cause considerable deterioration

Summer

Clean out weeds and overgrowth – Flourish faster in warmth and moisture
Tackle algae and molds – More prevalent in rainy seasons
Consider UV resistant sealers – Shield against sun damage
Monitor for heat expansion cracks – Higher strength concrete mixes mitigate this