Fence care: getting the most out of your fence
Check posts and hardware each spring
Frost heave is the biggest fence enemy in our climate — freeze-thaw cycles can gradually push posts out of plumb over the years. Each spring, walk the fence line and check that posts are still straight and firm, gates swing and latch properly, and hinges or fasteners aren't rusting or working loose.
Wood fences
Wood needs the most attention of the common fence materials, but it's manageable: a wash to clear dirt and mildew once a year, and a stain or sealant every 2 to 3 years depending on sun exposure — the same rule of thumb as a deck. Check for splintering or soft, rotted spots near the ground, where wood stays damp longest and deteriorates first.
Vinyl fences
Vinyl is the lowest-maintenance option — no staining, ever. An occasional hose-down or scrub with soapy water handles dirt and algae. Its main vulnerability is impact cracking in extreme cold, so it's worth a quick post-winter look for any hairline cracks after a hard freeze.
Chain-link fences
The lowest-maintenance material overall. Check for rust spots on galvanized coating and touch them up if caught early, and make sure tension bands and ties haven't loosened — a sagging chain-link fence is almost always a tension issue, not a structural one.
Keep vegetation off it
Vines and overgrown shrubs look nice against a fence but trap moisture against the material and can pry boards or panels apart as they grow. Trimming vegetation back a few inches from the fence line goes a long way toward extending its life, whatever it's made of.
Questions about your fence?
If a section is leaning, a post has heaved, or hardware has failed, it's usually a quicker fix caught early than after another winter. Call us at (519) 731-7281 and we'll take a look.