The Yearly Tune-Up: Keeping Your Fence Straight & Strong

We build our fences to be the strongest in London, but let’s be real: we live in Canada. Between the heavy clay soil, the freezing winters, and the baking July sun, your fence takes a beating 365 days a year.

I tell every client the same thing: "I can build you a tank, but you still have to change the oil."

Maintenance isn't just about making it look pretty; it’s about protecting your investment. A well-maintained pressure-treated fence can last 20-25 years. A neglected one might start leaning in 10.

Good Neighbour Fence

Here is the honest, no-fluff guide to keeping your Naklo fence straight and rot-free.

1. The Wood Reality: It’s Alive.

If you chose Pressure Treated or Cedar, you chose a natural product. Wood is a living thing, even after it’s cut. It absorbs water, swells up, dries out, and shrinks.

• Don't Panic About Cracks: You will see small cracks forming in your 4x4 or 6x6 posts over the first year. In the industry, we call this "Checking."

  • The Pro Tip: Checking is normal drying behavior. It happens because the outside of the post dries faster than the center. It does not affect the structural strength. However, if a crack goes all the way through a board or you can stick a pencil deep into it, give us a call.

    
    

• The "Grey" Factor: All wood turns silver-grey eventually due to UV rays. If you like that weathered look, great! If you want the "new wood" brown, you need to stain it.

  • Rule #1: Never use "fence paint" or solid sealers that sit on top like a film. They peel and look terrible in two years. Use a high-quality penetrating oil (like Cutek or Ready Seal) that soaks into the wood. It protects from the inside out and won't peel.

    
    

2. The "Low Maintenance" Myth (Vinyl)

We love our Hybrid Vinyl Systems because they are incredibly durable. But "low maintenance" does not mean "zero maintenance."

• The Green Haze: Even on expensive vinyl, dust settles. When that dust gets wet in a damp London spring, algae grows. You might see a faint green haze on the north side of your fence where the sun doesn't hit.

• The Fix: You don't need harsh chemicals. A bucket of warm water, dish soap, and a soft-bristle car brush is usually enough.

• Warning: Be very careful with power washers on vinyl fencing. If you get too close with a high-pressure tip, you can actually slice the vinyl or blow the post caps right off. Keep the pressure low.

  
  

3. The Gate Adjustment (The Spring Ritual)

Our clay soil in London heaves when it freezes. We dig our posts 4 feet deep to combat this, but the ground still shifts a fraction of an inch here and there.

• The Symptom: You go to open your gate in April and the latch is sticky, or it won't click shut smoothly.

• The Reality: Your fence isn't broken. The frost just moved a post slightly.

• The Fix: Most modern gate hinges are adjustable. You can usually turn a nut or a screw on the hinge to lift the gate up or move it over a quarter-inch.

  • If you can't get it to latch, don't force it—that bends the hardware. Just grab a wrench or give us a shout for a quick adjustment.

    
    

4. The Post Rot Check (Don't Bury the Wood)

Rot rarely happens in the air; it happens at the ground line where the wood post meets wet soil.

• The #1 Mistake: We often see homeowners add fresh topsoil or pile mulch high up against their fence posts for landscaping.

• Why It Kills Fences: Even pressure-treated wood needs to breathe. If you bury the bottom of the post in wet mulch or dirt, it stays wet 24/7. It acts like a sponge, and eventually, that constant moisture will rot the post right at the ground line.

• The Fix: Take a look at your fence line. If you see mulch or dirt piled up high against the wood post, simply shovel it back. Giving that post a little breathing room so it can dry out after a rainstorm can add years to its life.

  
  

The Bottom Line: Your backyard is your sanctuary. A little bit of soap, water, and checking the posts once a year ensures it stays that way. If you’re ever unsure about what product to use on your Naklo fence, just drop us an email. We’re always happy to help our past clients keep their yard looking its best.