Small town business owners

Oregon timber is a sturdy and durable source of wood to use for an outdoor fence, but like any type of wood stored outside, it can be subject to issues and problems. Fixing most common issues with your Oregon timber fence is relatively simple. Here is a look at four common issues and how to troubleshoot them:

1. Wiggling Fence

If your fence starts to get loose, you can reinforce it easily with extra pieces of wood. Most wiggles occur when the fence rails aren't securely attached to the fence post. Depending on where your fence is wiggling, you can add several different supports.

If the post is sturdy but the bottom rail seems to be loose, cut a small piece of Oregon timber the same width as your post and the same length as the distance between the ground and the bottom rail. Screw this support piece in place so it lies flush in the perpendicular juncture between the post and the rail.

You can also brace entire rails by putting a piece of timber that is the same length as your fence rail directly under or on top of them. Screw these support timbers to both your rail and the posts supporting it. If the post is not stable at all, you may need to replant it.

2. Rotten or Unstable Posts

To fix a rotten or unstable post, you need dig into the ground surrounding the leaning post so that you can break that pot loose from the ground. If it is planted in concrete, use a sledge hammer to remove that.

Once the post is out, detach it from its panel if it is rotten. If it is not rotten, use a level to ensure it is plumb with the section it supports, and more firmly attach it to that section using new screws.

Finally, make sure your hole is large enough and pour some concrete into it. Then, gently replant your post. If needed, brace the post in position using large pieces of timber on either side of it to hold it in place as the cement dries.  

3. Weathering

Even if it is completely sturdy and not wiggling, your Oregon timber fence is likely to be subjected to weathering. If your Oregon timber fence loses its look and begins to look gray and weathered, you can mediate the situation by cleaning and staining it.

To clean it properly, use a pressure washer. You want to apply enough pressure so that you roughen the grain of the timber – ultimately, that allows the stain to better penetrate the wood when you get to that step. However, you don't want to strip the wood.

Ideally, you want to use about 105 to 140 bar pressure. As you pressure wash the fence, watch its color. It will change slightly, but once the color stops changing, move your pressure washer to the next section. If you continue spraying it, you will start to strip the wood. Once your fence is clean, all you need to do is apply stain.

If you want to keep the original color of your Oregon timber, use a semi-transparent stain. This type of stain nourishes and protect your wood, while letting its natural colours and grain shine through. To add an extra layer of protection, look for a stain that includes protection from ultraviolet rays as well.

4. Graffiti

You can even remove graffiti using the pressure washing instructions above. Simply, train the pressure washer on the graffiti until the paint begins to be stripped from the wood, but be careful not to create gauges in the timber surrounding the wood. Remove any lingering bits of paint with a piece of sandpaper. Then, stain as directed above. If you don't want to stain your Oregon timber even with transparent stain, you can use an oil like linseed oil.