Wood Fences Are the Most Commonly Ruined Surface We See
This is the one homeowners most often destroy themselves with a rented machine.
Wood has soft grain between harder growth rings. Pressure carves the soft grain out, leaving a raised, furry, splintered surface. It looks clean for about a week, then weathers badly and holds dirt worse than before - because you've just dramatically increased the surface area.
It cannot be undone short of sanding the whole fence.
Wood gets soft washed: low pressure, a solution that kills the growth, thorough rinse. The grain stays intact and the result lasts longer because the organism is dead rather than displaced.
By Material
Wood - shadowbox, board-on-board, picket. Soft wash only. Cleaned properly, weathered gray wood usually comes back to a honey tone.
Vinyl / PVC. Takes moderate pressure. The chalky film and green algae on the shaded side lift easily. The most satisfying material to clean, and the fastest.
Aluminum and wrought iron. Moderate pressure, careful around any rust bleed or failing powder coat - pressure lifts failing coating rather than cleaning it.
Chain-link. Straightforward, though mostly what's being cleaned is whatever is growing through it.
Composite fencing. Soft wash - composite scars under pressure much like wood.
Always Check the North Side First
Fences don't weather evenly. The shaded and north-facing panels go green long before the sunny side shows anything at all, which is why owners are routinely surprised at how bad a fence is when they finally look at it from the neighbor's side.
If you want to know whether your fence needs cleaning, don't look at it from your patio. Walk round and look at the shaded face.
How Often
Every 12 months for most South Florida fences. Sooner on heavily shaded runs or anything backing onto dense landscaping. Wood in particular benefits from staying on schedule - algae holds moisture against the timber, and retained moisture accelerates rot.
Pricing
From $99, priced by linear footage, material and condition. Fences are commonly bundled with a driveway or patio clean in the same visit. Send photos for a flat price.