If you want to make sure that your chain link fence will look as good as it can for as long as it can, and that you will not have to replace it sooner than need be, you will want to make use of the following tips.

Periodically Hose The Fence Off

It is important to make sure that you remove any dirt and debris that can build up on your chain link fence so easily. Whether it is dirt that the dog kicked up in the yard, droppings that birds left behind as they flew over your fence, or road dust that lands on your fence every time a vehicle passes by, you need to remove it. The most efficient way to quickly clean up the fence is to wash it off with a garden hose. Do this every couple of weeks in order to keep it as clean as possible. If it has been a long time since your fence has been cleaned, you might have to take it a step further. After rinsing off the chain link fence, you will want to scrub it with a hard bristle brush that was dipped in mild soapy water. After you are done scrubbing the fence, you will want to again rinse it off so all of the soap residue is removed. 

Check For The Development Of Rust

At least every couple of weeks, you will want to walk around both sides of the fence and closely examine it so you will be able to notice rust spots if any are starting to form. If you do see a small spot or two, you will want to use a rust removal solution and a steel wool pad to scrub those patches. The sooner you start scrubbing those new rust spots, the easier it will be to resolve the problem. If you want until the rust problem has grown out of control, you might have to replace portions of your fence.

Look For Weak Points In The Fence

As you walk around the fence, you will want to take the time to look for weak spots. Weak spots include posts that are starting to lean over and chain links that are pulling away from the posts. Make sure that you are calling in a fencing contractor as soon as you notice such problems. This way, you will not have to worry about your fence no longer serving its purpose.