Will a Weed Eater Damage a Vinyl Fence?

Weed eaters are some of the most effective tools for those who want to cut around tight corners, fences, and other small spaces in the yard. They’re also much better than lawnmowers when it comes to trimming thick weeds, so every yard owner should have one in their garage or shed. However, there are some things you should know before using one near a vinyl fence.

A weed eater will damage a vinyl fence because the strings slice the bottom fence boards. If you use a metal bladed weed eater, it’ll rip the vinyl fence apart. Tilt the trimmer away from the fence, ensuring the guard is between the string or blade and the vinyl fence boards.

Throughout this article, we’ll break down what you should know about using a weed eater near a vinyl fence, whether or not it’ll cause damage, and tips to cut weed around any fence. We’ll also show you how you can stop the weeds from growing, preventing you from having to use the weed eater.

Does a Weed Wacker Damage a Vinyl Fence?

A weed wacker damages a vinyl fence because the strings and blades are designed to cut through grass and weeds that are much tougher. Using a weed eater near a vinyl fence can cause scuff marks, shred the martial, and more. It’s best to use an herbicide rather than a weed eater.

This issue is also quite common when people are using their weed eater around a sidewalk, porch, or driveway. The grass should be slightly higher than a driveway to prevent weed whackers, lawnmowers, and other lawn care equipment from scraping the asphalt.

Vinyl fences are often less durable than wooden fences, But even the toughest fence is no match for a bladed weed. The sharpened metal blades cut right through most materials. You might not have as much of an issue when using a string trimmer near a vinyl fence, but there will definitely be small, noticeable marks.

The good news is there are a few things you can do to protect your fence when trimming the weeds. Head to the section below for more details.

How Do You Protect a Vinyl Fence from a Weed Eater?

To protect a vinyl fence from a weed eater, follow these steps:

1. Amko Fence Company suggests raising your vinyl fence about three inches above the ground. This distance is enough to stop weed eaters, trimmers, lawnmowers, and other yard gadgets from causing unwanted damage to the fence. You can put bricks under the fence or simply keep it elevated.
2. Consider putting a barrier of gravel, rocks, sand, bricks, or plants between the fence and the grass. A one-foot strip of various materials will stop the weeds from growing. Landscaping fabric, gravel, and many other materials create an excellent barrier. You can trim the weeds further out once they grow.
3. Always put a guard on your weed eater to keep the strings or blades from hitting the vinyl fence. Weed trimmers usually come with guards to prevent injuries. If yours doesn’t have one, consider adding a guard because it also protects your fences, sidewalks, and more.
4. Use your lawnmower instead of the weed eater whenever you can. Lawnmowers have protective decks that keep your vinyl fence from getting damaged. If you followed step three, you can mow alongside your premade pathway without ever having to use a weed eater.

Following this process makes it a lot easier to prevent your weed eater from damaging your vinyl fence. Not only does it keep your fence in good condition, but it also stops the weed trimmer’s strings from catching on the edges. If it hits the fence, it could remove the string or overheat the weed eater.

How Do You Weed Whack Around a Fence?

To weed whack around a fence, start by tilting the machine at a 45-degree angle facing away from the vinyl fence. Slowly move along the fence, ensuring the weed eater doesn’t touch the fence. If you have a guard, you can lean it against the fence to prevent the blades or strings from making contact.

When you’re trimming the weeds near a vinyl fence, you should always go slower than usual. Even stringed weed eaters can cause severe damage to the fence boards. While we highly recommend creating some sort of barrier, it’s not always possible.

Instead, you can use a lower setting on your lawnmower. Cut the weeds as low as possible. I have an entire guide about removing large weeds in your yard if you’re looking for a detailed method. Using herbicides also helps, but that’s more of a preventative method.

It’s hard to completely get rid of weeds near a vinyl fence without using shears, trimmers, mowers, or blowers. These tools are highly reliable and cut the job in half. Once the weeds are low, you can try the advice below for more details.

Can You Stop Weeds from Growing Near a Vinyl Fence?

You can stop weeds from growing near a vinyl fence by using a natural herbicide. Make sure there’s no bleach or dyes in the herbicide or it can damage, discolor, and deteriorate the fence. Once the weeds die, you can use a weed eater to clear a pathway between the vinyl fence and the grass.

The BioAdvanced Weed Killer has a spray top that lets you coat the weeds along the vinyl fence. Spray a thin coat over the weeds, wait for a couple of days, then mow over them if possible. You don’t have to use a weed eater in most cases. Instead, you can rely on this formula or a combination of water and vinegar.

Whether you prefer essential oils, weed sprays, natural herbicides, or other solutions, you can use them before or after the weed eater. As mentioned earlier in the post, they’re better used before as a way to manage large weeds or after as a way to kill the roots once you’ve trimmed them.

Weed whacking around a vinyl fence is typically a bit challenging, but you can make it a lot easier by attaching guards, tilting the machine, and adding herbicides to the process. If the fence is raised, you can keep the weed eater flat against the grass and weeds.

The aforementioned three-inch height is perfect for vinyl fences unless you have dogs, cats, or other animals that could get under the fence. If you don’t, then you can raise the fence and trim the weeds without any extra steps than you’d usually do.

In Conclusion

Now that you know how to safely and effectively use a weed eater near a vinyl fence without damaging it, you can keep the yard looking clean and tidy. Weed eaters are quite strong and need special attention to care, especially when you’re using them near sidewalks, fences of any material, and other obstacles.