We often treat fences like brick walls—we put them up and expect them to stand there forever without any help. But unlike brick, timber is a natural material. It expands in the wet, shrinks in the sun, and fights a constant battle against rot.
In Bristol, where we get our fair share of Atlantic rain (and the occasional scorching heatwave), neglecting your fence is the quickest way to turn a 15-year investment into a 5-year failure. The good news? You don’t need to be a pro to keep it in top shape. Here is our seasonal routine.
Spring: The "Post-Winter" Wash
After a damp winter, your fence is likely looking a bit green. Algae and moss love damp timber, and if left alone, they hold moisture against the wood, accelerating rot.
- The Clean: You don't always need a pressure washer (which can damage softer wood if you aren't careful). A bucket of warm soapy water and a stiff deck brush will often do the job.
- Clear the Base: This is the most important tip. Rake away the piles of old wet leaves and soil that have built up against the bottom of the fence panels. This damp "mulch" is a death sentence for wooden gravel boards.
Summer: Feed the Wood
Once the wood has had a few weeks of warm sun to dry out completely, it’s the perfect time to treat it.
- Why Treat? UV rays from the sun turn wood grey and cause it to crack. A good quality oil or solvent-based preservative soaks in and replenishes the natural oils.
- Paint vs. Oil: "Painting" seals the surface, but "Oiling" nourishes it. We generally prefer penetrating oils or stains as they don't flake off over time.
- Check for Cracks: Wood shrinks in the heat. If you see major splits appearing, it might be time to replace that specific board before winter returns.
Autumn: The Weight Loss Program
Before the winter winds hit, you need to reduce the load on your fence.
- Cut Back Vines: Ivy and climbing plants grow rapidly in summer. They act like a sail, catching the wind and pulling fences down. They also hold dampness. Trim them back aggressively.
- Overhanging Branches: Check for tree branches that might snap in a storm and crash through your panels. Prune them now while the weather is mild.
Winter: The "Wiggle Test"
You generally want to leave the fence alone in winter—painting wet wood seals moisture inside, which is bad. However, you should do safety checks.
- The Wiggle Test: Go to each post and give it a firm push. Does it move at the ground level? If the post moves but the ground doesn't, the post has rotted or snapped below the surface.
- Emergency Repairs: If a post is loose, don't wait for a storm to finish it off. Installing a concrete "repair spur" now is cheaper than replacing the whole fence in January.
A Note on Concrete Posts
If you have concrete posts, congratulations—your maintenance is almost zero! Just give them a quick wipe down if they get green, and check that the mortar pointing hasn't cracked. That's it.
Found a wobble you can't fix? If your maintenance check has revealed a bigger problem, give us a call. We can often save a fence with a repair spur rather than a full replacement.
Featured Image Image [A calendar-style graphic showing four quadrants: Spring (Cleaning), Summer (Painting), Autumn (Pruning), Winter (Checking strength).] Image Alt Text [Seasonal checklist for maintaining garden fences in the UK] Tags Select Tags Fence Care Wood Treatment Garden Maintenance Rot Prevention Bristol Weather SEO Settings Meta Title Year-Round Fence Maintenance Tips for Bristol Meta Description How to care for your fence in every season. From cleaning algae in spring to storm-proofing in winter, keep your fence standing for longer.