Fence treating question.

Emjay86 · 22 Jun 2013 at 15:00

Im going to need to start treating my fencing soon and im a bit curious as to how it works exactly. Obviously with a fence there are two sides. If im treating my side and my neighbours aren't wouldn't that just mean its still going to rot and fall to pieces anyway?

Also for a quick, slightly related side question.

I have a shed that is placed in the corner of my garden, the back of it is against a brick wall and the other side is against a wooden fence. I need to also coat and treat the shed but what do I do with the sides that I cannot access? Are they fine to just leave or do I need to empty the shed and somehow move it to get around all sides of it?

Thanks in advance!

Emjay86 · 22 Jun 2013 at 19:31

mjd said:
With regards to your fence - ideally it would be treated both sides, but this will depend on your neighbours allowing you access to do so. If you get on OK with them, I doubt they would object to you nipping around and treating their side. Try and avoid treating the two sides in different colours as the colour can bleed through thinner sections.
Stay away from cheap water based treatments as you can end up doing it every year with these. Oil based would be ideal but is expensive for long runs, so try and go for something middle of the road. I have just finished 30 metres of feather edge with cuprinol ducksback. Water seems to just bead and roll off, so will be interesting to see what state its in next year.

This said, I wouldn't worry too much about it if you cant do the other side. If you have timber posts, they will rot at ground level long before the panels themselves.

As for the shed, the side of my existing shed is up against a wall (give or take an inch) and its solid, albeit it slightly grey. As there is unlikely to be any standing water and the sides in question are sheltered from the elements, I doubt you'll see any significant knock to the life of the shed if left untreated.

Awesome, My one neighbour should be fine and he happens to be the one with the most fencing shared. The other I don't really know but they seem pleasant enough, I can always ask!

As for the shed the panels that are exposed are starting to go a little green which im guessing is a mould of sorts growing on it, the two corner sides will have to be ignored but ill definately get onto coating the exposed sides. Is the same stuff ill be using for the fencing good enough for the shed or should I look at something else?

Thanks!

Emjay86 · 22 Jun 2013 at 23:11

mjd said:
As long as the timber is rough sawn on the shed it will be fine.

How can I know if it is?

Emjay86 · 23 Jun 2013 at 10:13

Mark A said:
Feel if it's rough . If it's tongue and grooved cladding then it'll be smooth planed.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ronseal-S...Material_Paint_Varnish_MJ&hash=item4ac58e0c30

I used this on my shed and it seems to be doing a good job of repelling water after a year. It's also a preservative and soaks into the timber killing dry/wet rot and insect attack.

Awesome thanks a lot!

I knew it was a stupid question but it had to be asked. Its definately not rough sawn, its the tongue and groove that you mentioned. It was also oil treated when the bloke made it for us although I dont think thats doing anything now.