Whether
it is at home or working place, gates play an indispensable role and keeping
them in pristine condition is imperative because they are the first thing
people see when they get into your premises. The gate adds aesthetic value to
your property but you need to keep it looking awesome. This means you should
carry out regular maintenance on your fences and gates. To achieve this, you
should keep the following points in mind:
1. Take protective measures
Iron
gates and fences can easily rust in the presence of various weather elements
like humidity and rain. While this may not be a huge problem in certain states,
it is still wise to take the initiative and avert damage. To keep off rust, you
can apply a coat of wax to the gate thus protecting it. The other option is to
cover the gate with a tarp when there’s a rainstorm. If the iron fence is close
to a pool, the chances of rust developing on it are high. Therefore, you need
to apply a protective sealant; you can easily buy it from the nearest hardware
store.
2. Painting:
To
further protect your gate or fence from damage, you should paint it. This is
because paint often creates a certain barrier between the air and iron. This
reduces oxidation (the reaction between the iron and moisture) and hence
decreases the possibility of rust developing. Additionally, a fresh paint coat
will certainly make your gates and fences more attractive.
3. Cleaning
Using a
mixture of dish detergent and warm water, you can clean up the dirty iron gates
and fences. After washing away rust and dirt spots (you can use the toothbrush
to clean the hard-to-reach places), use water to rinse off the fencing. Allow
the fencing to dry completely. A clean fencing will not only look great but it
will also help you to identify potential problems with ease.
4. Regular inspection
Regularly
inspect your iron fences and gates to spot any places that require repair.
During inspection, look out for any signs of cracks, rust, loose fittings, and
other forms of damage. For already painted fences, find out whether the paint
has chips and then take the necessary steps to fix any damage that you will
find. For complex problems, you may hire an expert to fix them.
5. Repair the rusty spots
If the
fence has small rusty sections, you can take some measures to reduce the
damage. For example, use steel wool or sandpaper to eliminate the dust and then
apply wax to stop the corrosion. However, if the fence has major rust, you may
contact a company specializing in fixing iron fences.
6. Adjust the bent parts
An
accident can easily bend a section of your iron fence. This is something you
can fix if you have time. Using a blowtorch, you can heat up the bent sections on
your fence or gate and hammer them back into position. Always be careful when
handling tools. If the damage on your gate is severe, you can call a reliable
fence repair company to fix it.
