Summer is finally upon us, and for many, this is a time to be out and about in the garden, getting bits and bobs fixed that you may well have ignored in the colder months.
There is one garden chore in particular that you shouldn't delay, as it could well end up costing you thousands come wintertime.
With the Met Office predicting more fine weather this week, experts say now would be the perfect time to give your fence a good lick of paint.
This is about more than just making sure your side of the fence looks attractive. A well-maintained, painted fence will have a much better shot at surviving some of the more brutal elements of the chilly British winter, so you'll be less likely to need to pay up to repair or replace.
Fence treatment experts at Wickes explained: "Proper maintenance can vastly improve the lifespan of your fence panels and reduce the risk of them succumbing to the elements in winter.
"Treating your fence with paint, woodstain or protective treatment will also keep it looking its best. Unprotected fences can be prone to mould and algae, and tend to go grey over time due to weathering and sun damage."
According to these experts, the price of fence treatment starts at around £8, although you may need more than one tin to cover the entire fence. This will ultimately cost you far less in the long run, however, given that replacement costs can rack up quickly once the damage is done.
The experts continued: "Checkatrade estimates that all in all, replacing the average fence will set you back between £500 and £3,700. Expanding on this, from speaking to fencing experts across the UK, we learned replacing each 6ft panel of wooden post fencing had an average cost of around £220 while concrete post fencing was around £330 per panel.
"These fencing professionals estimated an average-sized terraced house garden (the most common style of home in the UK) has approximately 10 panels for which they are responsible.
"Therefore, replacing the whole fence might cost the average homeowner £3,300. But you could be spending many thousands if you have a large amount of fencing."
They went on to advise that "as a general rule of thumb", if you find that water no longer beads on your fence, then it's probably time to give it a fresh coat.
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