GREEN algae not only makes your fence look dirty, but it can also damage the wood over time.
Gemma Down took to the Facebook group, Gardening UK – Hints, tips & advice to ask for help regarding her fence.
She said: “Hello, unfortunately, our fence panels have green algae.
“I will try and treat in the spring, but if I’m not successful, can I just pain the fence panels with fence paint…
“Or will this cause any issues? I’d appreciate your advice please, thank you.
Gardeners raced to the comments section to share their tips and what products they found worked for getting rid of green algae from fences.
Sabrina Connolly said: “I would absolutely recommend wet and forget. Just apply it and ‘forget’ about it as the name implies. Brilliant stuff!
“We use it on our slabs and decking every year. The rain washes the green away.”
Ian Price seconded this: “When it’s warmer and dry use a product called Wet & Forget and then 10 days later (as long as it’s dry) you can paint or stain to your hearts content.
“If you paint when the timber is wet and or covered in algae, the paint will not adhere and will fail.
“Timber needs to be dry for any paint to work properly.
“Avoid power hosing as it opens and raises the grain and forces water deeper into the timber making it more porous in the future, and compounds the problem.
“Bleach or other household chemical concoctions are never advised for this purpose as it’s not designed, tested or approved for use and can do a lot of damage to the timber and the soil as it washes off.”
Kaye Gilby added: “My house is weather-boarded boarded and the back wall north facing was covered on Algae.
“I used white vinegar with a spray bottle and it worked , just spray and leave.”
Angela Knight said: “I use patio magic on mine and it works a treat. Spray it then over three to five days it just disappears.
“Also it’s good around pets as it’s completely safe when it’s dry.
“Personally I wouldn’t use bleach as it will also bleach the wood.
“And be mindful that once you start painting you have to repaint every two to three years or it will look horrible and you’ll still get the algae coming back in your painted surfaces.”
ABS Fencing shared a list of do’s and don’ts when it comes to cleaning green algae off your fence.
