We received a photo of this Westchase backyard fence from a guy a few years ago in late August. The streaked green on one side of the fence and dull, chalky gray on the other side led this guy to believe that his fence was ruined and he started pricing out new lumber for a replacement. It was dirty, and a couple of hours of fence pressure washing brought back the natural color of the real wood. He was able to keep his money for new lumber.
The weather here in Tampa can be very destructive to fences. The rain falls to the ground at about 46 inches per year. The wet season is from June to September, but the humidity is usually present all year. The part of the fence that is in the shade of live oaks and Spanish moss will be damp and begin to grow algae and mildew quickly. The other side of the fence will be exposed to the sun and begin to fade quickly. By the end of the summer, one fence can look like two completely different fences.
At Pink Flamingo Power Wash, we clean all types of fences using the right techniques for the material. Here is a list of the main types.
Wood Fence Pressure Washing
Cleaning a wood fence is the trickiest of all and is usually the part that people get wrong when hiring a machine to do it. If you apply too much pressure to a wood fence, it can gouge the wood, raise the grain of the wood, and leave permanent fuzzy marks on the fence. To clean a wood fence, we use low pressure and a suitable cleaning solution to lift the green algae and the gray weathering from the wood. Once the wood has been cleaned and allowed to dry, it will take stain or sealer far better than before cleaning and so it is often wise to wash a fence before staining or sealing it.
Vinyl Fence Pressure Washing
Although vinyl looks like it can be cleaned easily, it can create streaks if it is cleaned too quickly. The chalky white film that develops on vinyl, as well as the green mildew spots in the seams of vinyl fence panels, need to be cleaned with an even, clean surface. We clean one panel at a time and then rinse the entire run with water to ensure that the entire fence comes in clean with no lines. Also, mildew grows in the texture of vinyl and simple water will not remove it. Instead, we use a solution that kills the mildew during the fence pressure washing process.
Aluminum and Metal Fence Cleaning
Aluminum and wrought iron fences pick up dirt, pollen, and rust spots, mostly near the bottom where the sprinklers hit. Rust needs a special treatment, not raw pressure, so we treat those spots and rinse the whole fence down. Done right, the powder coat stays put and the fence looks sharp again.
Why Tampa Fences Turn Green and Gray
The green is typically algae and mildew. The gray is typically sun and age. This type of damage occurs in very wet and very hot climates with lots of trees. Carrollwood, Northdale and Lutz are three Carrollwood areas with very old neighborhoods and lots of very large trees. The fix is regular cleaning. A fence that gets washed once a year does not give algae enough time to root itself deeply into the wood of your fence.
Soft Washing for Older or Delicate Fences
There are many types of fences, including some that are too old or even too soft to use with normal pressure. Some examples of fences that we soft wash include thin pickets, aged cedar and even fences with loose boards. The soft washing method uses low pressure and a special cleaning solution to lift the dirt and algae from the surface of the fence, just as we would use to clean house siding and roofs using the same gentle method.
More Than Fences
Many of our customers call us to inquire about a fence for their yard and then we come out to their property and give them a price for the fence. We also clean the house, driveways, concrete, pool decks, and pool cages, as well as clean and inspect the roof for damage from storms and remove the black streaks caused by an algae that grows on Tampa roofs called Gloeocapsa magma. The gutters fill up with pine needles and shingle granules that can cause damage to the gutters and your home. We can do all of this work in one visit and save you a second appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does fence pressure washing cost in Tampa?
We charge for length, for material, and for the degree of dirtiness. A simple backyard fence is usually a very affordable add-on and of course we can quote a lower price if we clean your house or your driveway on the same day. Call us for a free quote.
How often should I have my fence pressure washed?
For most of the Tampa fences we service, once a year is sufficient. However, for those with fence lines under large oak trees or in extreme shade, we recommend every 8 to 10 months to remove new growth.
Should I seal my wood fence after washing it?
Yes, to make it last. Wash the grime off and any algae, then allow it to dry. Sealing the clean wood then allows the wood to retain the clean look and slows down the inevitable gray fading.
Get a Free Quote Today
Bring your old fence back to life and save the cost of replacement by having it power washed by the experts at Pink Flamingo Power Wash. We offer fence pressure washing in Tampa and surrounding communities including Carrollwood, Northdale, Greater Northdale, Lake Magdalene, Westchase, Citrus Park, Lutz, Odessa, Town N Country and all other areas of Tampa. Ask for Cliff and the rest of the Pink Flamingo crew to provide you with a free estimate for washing your fence or entire property.