Fence Pressure Washing

We use hot-water pressure washing rigs calibrated to fence work — lower PSI than concrete cleaning, wider fan tips, and a consistent stand-off distance that cleans aggressively without damaging the wood surface. On cedar and older pressure-treated boards we often pair the wash with a wood brightener or oxalic-acid rinse to neutralize tannins and restore natural wood tone before any stain goes on. The result is a fence that looks cleaner than it has in years — and more importantly, a surface that's chemically and physically ready to absorb a quality penetrating stain or sealer.

Wood fences in Southwestern Ontario face a relentless combination of biological and environmental attack. Green and black algae colonize shaded fence sections within a single season, especially on the north and east faces that stay damp longest after rain. Mildew follows moisture, and over time UV radiation from long Ontario summers oxidizes the wood surface to a dull gray that makes fresh stain look uneven and patchy. Road grime and dust accumulate on fence boards near laneways and streets, creating a film that blocks stain penetration just as effectively as a primer.

Professional pressure washing with the right chemistry removes all of it: algae, mildew, tannin staining, oxidation, surface gray, and residual old stain or sealer that's failed and flaked. We use biodegradable cleaning agents that are safe around landscaping, and we take care to protect flower beds, lawn edges, and adjacent structures before we start. Once the fence is clean and has had adequate drying time — typically 48 to 72 hours in warm Ontario weather — the boards are ready for stain application that will last years rather than months.

If your fence was previously stained or sealed with a film-forming product — solid stain, latex paint, or a heavy alkyd sealer — pressure washing alone won't fully prepare the surface for a new coat. These coatings sit on top of the wood rather than penetrating it, and when they fail they leave a chalky or peeling layer that new stain cannot bond to. In these situations we apply a chemical stripper before pressure washing to soften and lift the old film, then follow with a thorough hot-water rinse and a neutralizing wood brightener to bring the pH back to neutral.

The stripping step adds time and cost to the job, but it's the only way to get a reliable result when old coatings are present. We've seen homeowners try to power through with straight washing and apply new stain over a compromised surface — it peels before the first winter is out. Our assessment process identifies what's on the fence and what it will take to remove it before we quote, so you know exactly what the job involves and what the finished surface will look like before work begins.

Not every fence needs staining right away. Sometimes you just need a thorough clean to remove algae and mildew before they cause wood damage, or to refresh the look of a fence that was stained two or three years ago and is still in solid shape. We offer fence pressure washing as a standalone service throughout London, Woodstock, Brantford, and surrounding communities — no obligation to book the full staining package if the fence just needs a wash.

A professional pressure wash every two to three years is one of the most cost-effective forms of fence maintenance you can do. Algae and mildew retain moisture against the wood surface, accelerating rot and shortening the life of the boards. Washing them off regularly keeps the wood dry between rain events, prevents biological damage from compounding year over year, and keeps the fence looking clean and well-maintained for neighbours and potential buyers alike. Call (519) 266-6796 for a free estimate on washing alone or as part of a full refinishing package.