If you are a dog owner you more than likely have seen you furry free-loader digging in the yard or at the base of a fence.  Dogs dig because, well, they are dogs.  They get bored, want to escape or just like to dig.  Stopping a dog from digging can be challenging and a dog that digs not only creates unsightly holes, but can create costly damage to fence, plants, lawns, etc.

There are quite a few options to choose from to keep a dog from digging under a fence.  The right solution may vary for each situation and you may want to test out a few different ones to see which works best.

Place Rocks around the Edge of the Fence

You can place rocks around the areas of the fence where the dog likes to dig.  This will make it harder for the dog to dig and once they try digging the rock they will see they are getting nowhere and stop.

Fill in the holes with rocks or dirt

Depending on your dog you can try filling in the holes with rocks or dirt.  Dirt may just encourage them to keep digging and provide constant work for you… it just depends on the dog.  You can also fill in the holes with gravel which makes it harder for the dog to dig.

Bury Wire or Fence in the Ground

Burying wire in the ground requires a bit of work but is a sure way to stop your dog from getting through a fence.  The only trouble is, it does not stop the dog from digging.  This works if you have a dog that is an escape artist and you want to stop them from getting out. Another, similar concept is to buy metal stakes that are about a foot and a half long and pound them into the ground at the base of the fence.  Consider the size of your dog and space the stakes appropriately.  This is a similar approach to burying wire but requires less digging and overall work.

Install an Electric Wire

A great solution to stop your dog from digging at the base of a fence is to install an electric wire around the perimeter.  Make sure it is low enough to the ground so that if the dog tries to dig near the fence they will get a solid shock.  No dog likes a shocking and this will stop the digging at the edge of the fence altogether.

Train Your Dog

If you have the time and knowledge, train your dog.  This is your best bet because it fixes the source of the problem and will stop your dog from digging even if you move.

Have other ideas of how to stop a dog from digging under a fence?  Please share in the comments as we would love to hear them!

With Spring upon us and hopes of rain subsiding, many of us Northwesterners are getting ready to head outside and enjoy what we hope to be the sun.  This means it is time to give your home it’s annual spring cleaning – both inside and out.  When your property is looking nice and clean you can really appreciate your outdoor living space.  Here are some tips and resources to help kick start your outdoor spring cleaning projects.

• Remember to clean decks and other horizontal walking surfaces.  Mold and moss can create slippery areas that are hazardous
• Start high and finish low.  Clean your roof and gutters, then house siding and windows,  and then the ground level.  This prevents any repeat cleaning.
• Scrub down furniture and tables
• Prune back shrubs and trees that may have gotten out of control during the long winter.
• Clean up down branches and debris
• Rent a pressure washer and clean up an walkways or driveways

Cleaning Solutions:

• Simple Green is an excellent cleaning solution and is environmentally friendly.  You can buy it in bulk at Home Depot or Lowe’s
• 30 Seconds Outdoor Cleaner is a stronger alternative to Simple Green but contains bleach so be careful where you use it.
• Nothing beats a scrub brush and a little soap and water.  Home Depot carries a variety of brushes to help you on your project.

Here are a few other websites with helpful hints on exterior cleaning:

• Home and Garden Spring Cleaning
• 10 Tips from TLC for Outdoor Cleaning
• Country Living cleaning Guide

Spring is officially here but for those of us in the Northwest you wouldn’t know that unless you looked at a calendar.  We are experiencing what is forecast to be an exceptionally wet spring this year which surely will lead to a busy fencing season for us when the rain subsides. This extended winter brings an increased level of moisture wreaking havoc on our already drenched properties.

When the clouds part and the rain lets is a great time to assess any damage on your property and make sure you book a time to have a professional come up and fix any damage before it gets worse. Fences are especially prone to water damage and can weaken significantly after a long and wet winter. Further, fences can act like dominoes.  When one section goes it weakens the other sections and they will tend to go soon as well.

To inspect your fence for damage walk the fence line make sure all the fence ties are in tact and securely fastened.  Give each section of your fence a gentle shake to see if it shows any signs of weakness.   Take note of areas with an abnormally high amount off moss or algae as this is a sure sign of excessive exposure to moisture and could lead to problems in the future.

Don’t forget to take a close look at your fence posts as well.  This is the main structural area of your fence and should not be overlooked.  Inspect the base of your fence posts and make sure they do not show any signs of rot or decay.  Additionally, make sure the ground around the post isn’t overly saturated as the can weaken the fence.

After you inspect your fence you will need to decide what is worth fixing and what needs to be replaced.  Simple board repairs are usually easy and can be swapped out in a few minutes.  You can also go through your line of fence and repair any nails or screws that are coming loose.  Rotting fence posts may need to be replaced which can take more time and effort.

Depending on the amount of damage your fence has experienced over the long winter you may need to bring in a professional for more extensive repairs.  Give Fence Specialists a call today and we can help you get your fence back to where it needs to be.  (253)531-5452

When it comes to replace your old wooden fence most homeowners have it hauled away, taken to the dump or burn it.  Before you go throwing away all of that old fencing material consider these options to recycle intact material and use it around the house.

Here is a short list of ideas on what you can make out of your old wooden fence:

• Vintage looking planter boxes
• Birdhouses, bird feeders or  squirrel feeders
• Garden trellises
• Garbage container corrals
• Old picture Frames
• Simple retaining walls (only very small walls – consult a professional if unsure)
• Garden Stakes
• Vintage looking picture frames
• Rustic looking bench
• Mail Box

As you can see there are plenty of simple uses for an old fence and if you are creative you can come up with your own uses that are not on this list.

Sometimes a portion of a fence is in poor shape but the rest of it is still in great condition. Rather than replacing the entire fence, you may still be able to get a few more years out of your current fence if you just repair the damaged section. Here are some tips to help you through this process.

1. Determine the Damaged Area: Assess the damaged are and decide if it is worth repairing or if you need a new fence altogether.  This is usually a personal decision and is based on how much repair you really want to tackle.  If the damaged area spans more than two consecutive panels (roughly 20ft) it may be time for a new fence.  The larger the repair area, the more difficult the repair job.
2. Get Replacement Material and Necessary Tools: Before you go tearing down the old section of fence it makes sense to get the proper tools and replacement material ahead of time.  In some instances you may just need a few support brackets to reconnect your fence, in others you may need to replace as much as the post.
3. Tear Down the Damaged Section: Time to remove the damaged area of fencing.  You may be able to re-use material here so be careful in what you tear down.  Obviously, try and salvage as much of the old fence as possible.
4. Repair the Fence: Install your replacement material.  Make sure everything is square and level and give the fence a good shake to make sure it is stable enough to handle winds and random impacts from the environment.

Reparing a fence is not an easy task and if at any point you are in doubt, contact a professional fence installation company for assistance.

This is a neat video showing the process of recycling plastic containers and turning them into fence materials.  Enjoy.

Dryer vents can be difficult to clean and are important to run routine maintenance on to make sure your clothes dryer functions properly. Steps can be taken beyond simply cleaning the lint trap to be sure your dryer is running at optimal performance. Unfortunately, cleaning the dryer vent line can be difficult and often times requires a professional. In many instances, however, you can clean the dryer vent yourself. For more information check out this article from One Project Closer on how to clean a dryer vent.

So you think your dog is safe behind a fenced yeard? Think again. For dogs that are up to dare-devil theatrics we recommend an enclosed dog run fence solution. This includes closing in the top of the dog area when you are having trouble keeping your four legged friend in the yard. Contact us for details.

Here is a short video on how to pressure wash a fence:

With spring just around the corner we figured it would be a great time to do a few write ups on ridding your yard of unwanted mold, moss and mildew.  After the long, dark and wet winter months moss tends to build up especially in neglected yards and on older fences.  Removing the moss can be a bit of a task but when equipped with the right knowledge it shouldn’t be too difficult.

Wood fences tend to accumulate a good amount of mold and moss and should be cleaned regularly to prevent unwanted build up.  It is important to remember to use solutions that won’t harm plants and landscaping when cleaning anything outdoors.  Here are a few ideas for cleaning your fence in a way that shouldn’t harm surrounding vegetation.  Of course, all yards are different so be sure to do your own research prior to employing these methods and test any surrounding plants for reactions to your solutions prior to using it in the entire yard.

1. The safest way to clean a wooden fence is using strictly water and a scrub brush or pressure washer.  If using a pressure washer be sure you do not use one with a high PSI or you could damage your fence.  Electric pressures washers tend to be  less damaging than gas operated washers.  If you have a gas operated washer test it on the fence in an inconspicuous to see if it will damage the wood.
2. If water isn’t enough to remove the moss try mixing a solution of ½ cup of vinegar per gallon of water.  Apply this to the moss and let it sit for about 15 minutes and then scrub and rinse off.  Baking soda also works well.
3. Finally, if none of the above methods work you can try a strong solution such as simple green.  This is something you definitely want to test on a hidden part of the fence to see what sort of effect it will leave.  This could vary depending on the type of wood and age of the fence.  Be sure to test it and then allow about a day or two for the effects to set it.  Also be careful when applying the solution near plants as it can be harmful to vegetation.

A simple Google search will also yield a large amount of information on cleaning fences but remember that no matter the authority, it is always a good idea to test cleaning methods prior to using them on your whole fence.

Sources:

• http://www.ehow.com/how_4884242_remove-mildew-algae-wooden-fence.html
• http://www.gardenguides.com/88024-rid-green-moss-tree-trunks-cedar-fences.html
• http://www.ehow.com/how_7321761_remove-mold-moss-tree-trunks.html