Fencing & Decking · 4 min read
How to maintain a timber fence
Most fences fail at the bottom of the post. Almost all of that is preventable.
Keep timber out of standing water
Soil and mulch piled against the bottom of a fence keeps the timber permanently damp. Clear the base of the fence line and use concrete gravel boards where ground contact is unavoidable.
Treatment
- Re-treat every one to two years, depending on exposure
- Work in dry conditions with at least two clear days afterwards
- Pay particular attention to end grain and cut edges
- Clean off algae before applying anything
Vegetation
Climbers look attractive and trap moisture against the boards. Grow them on a separate trellis set slightly forward of the fence so air can move behind them.
Checking posts
Once a year, push firmly on each post at shoulder height. Movement at ground level means the post is rotting or the footing has failed — far cheaper to replace one post now than a whole run after a storm.