Before
After
About This Project
This vinyl privacy fence with lattice top in Duxbury had developed a heavy coating of algae and oxidation across the entire surface, the kind of buildup that takes several seasons to accumulate and makes white vinyl look gray and neglected. The streaking pattern is characteristic of algae that starts at the top and works its way down in streaks following water runoff lines.
The fence also showed the textured, crusty appearance of oxidation, a chemical breakdown of the vinyl surface from UV exposure that makes the material more porous and accelerates biological growth. Once oxidation sets in, the fence gets dirtier faster.
The Challenge
Vinyl fencing with lattice sections requires careful technique, the open lattice catches spray and the thin material can flex under pressure. High-pressure washing risks cracking lattice sections, forcing water into post caps, and leaving streaks from uneven coverage.
The oxidation layer also needed to be addressed, simply rinsing the algae off would leave the underlying oxidation that makes the vinyl look dull and causes regrowth to happen faster.
Our Approach
Soft washing was the right call here. We applied cleaning solution that works on both the biological growth and the oxidation layer, giving it proper dwell time to break everything down before rinsing. The lattice sections got careful coverage from multiple angles to ensure the solution reached all surfaces without forcing water into the post caps.
The result: The fence came back bright white, the algae gone, the oxidation lifted, and the vinyl restored to something close to its original appearance. The lattice sections cleaned up completely. The homeowner was surprised how much of a difference it made on the overall look of the property.
Vinyl Fence Maintenance
In Duxbury's coastal climate, vinyl fences typically need cleaning every 1 to 2 years. Fences on the shaded side of a property or near trees may need it annually. The good news: vinyl responds well to soft washing and the results are usually dramatic.