Home · Fence Care Guide
Make Your Fence
Last Decades
A well-built cedar fence should give you 15–20 years. This is how you get every one of them.
Spring (after thaw)
- Shake-test posts — anything that moved over winter is easiest to reset now.
- Check boards at ground level for rot; keep soil and mulch an inch below the wood.
- Re-hang or tighten gates; hinges loosen with freeze-thaw cycling.
- Wash off winter grime with a garden hose (skip the pressure washer — it tears wood fibre).
Summer
- Stain or re-seal every 2–3 years, on a dry week. Semi-transparent stains age most gracefully.
- Trim vines and shrubs off the fence line — trapped moisture is wood's worst enemy.
- Sprinklers: aim them away from the fence. Constant wet/dry cycling greys and cups boards fast.
Fall (before freeze)
- Clear leaves piled against the bottom rail — they hold moisture all winter.
- Check post caps; they protect end grain, which drinks water 30× faster than face grain.
- Latch gates open or fully closed before big winds.
Winter
- Don't pile shovelled snow against the fence — the weight and moisture both hurt.
- Skip de-icing salt near posts; it wicks into wood and corrodes fasteners.
Aluminum: the short version
Hose it off once a year and keep an eye on gate hardware. That's the whole list — it's why aluminum wins on maintenance in our comparison table.
Seeing something that worries you? Get a fence health check — text Frank a photo.
Seasonal Reminders
We'll Nudge You When
It's Stain & Seal Season
Two short emails a year — spring prep and fall protection — timed to Halton weather, with the checklist that keeps your fence out of repair territory. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
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Match it, measure it, and send Frank the details — your on-site quote follows within 24 hours.