Beautiful Arbors & Trellises

Cleaning your arbors and trellises will keep your home looking good on the outside, and adding to the curb appeal. Trellises Should Look Good in Any Season Trellises are built to support climbing vines and plants, so it is important to clean out old, dead growth from them after the growing season has ended. A trellis should look appealing, even when empty, so this is important to do in order to keep your property appealing. Weather and rain can also dirty them, so after storms, a quick inspection should alert you to their condition. Spraying a trellis off with a hose will remove most dirt that accumulates from inclement weather. Bird droppings can be a nuisance, too, especially if you have berry trees or nests nearby. A high-powered hose and nozzle will help remove them, but some stubborn stains may require taking a rag to them.

Steel and Copper
With steel and copper trellises, a simple hosing off can remove most unwanted dirt. Verdigris patina on a copper trellis might need to be sanded off, but most people find it appealing. Rust on an iron trellis can usually be removed with a commercial rust remover. Applying a primer and then clear or colored rust proofer will usually prevent rust from recurring in the same spot.

Inspect Trellises for Wear
If your trellis is painted or stained, inspect them periodically for wear. Re-painting or re-staining a wooden trellis can do much to spruce up your landscaping. Also, look for damage from common garden animals at the base of your trellis, especially if it is in a garden.

Cleaning Your Arbor
Arbors require occasional cleaning too, especially if they support plants. Wooden arbors tend to need more maintenance than copper or steel arbors, primarily because they use wider pieces in their construction. More surface area means more cleaning. Vinyl arbors can usually be sprayed off easily with little effort. In some cases, you may need to scrub certain areas with a manufacturer-recommended cleaner.

Arbors with Old Growth
Old growth, and sometimes even bird nests or hives, need to be removed from your arbor regularly to keep it clean. Also, keep a watchful eye on swinging gates and doors if your arbor has them. Like a trellis, an arbor should be appealing in any season, so keeping them clean is important.