Wood fencing adds classic appeal to your landscape. It also serves as an effective barrier that safeguards your home and your family. But to maintain its integrity, you must care for the material during winter, when it’s most vulnerable. Below are a few suggestions to maintain your wood fence.

How to Care for Your Wood Fence in the Winter

1. Stain the Surface

Wood’s most prominent foe is moisture. Constant exposure to water can threaten the immediate and long-term health of the structure. During winter, your wood fencing is at risk of being rained and snowed on regularly. That can weaken the wood and lead to rotting and mold formation. Both can prove problematic and cause widespread damage. One way to protect the surface is to stain it with an oil-based solution before winter begins. This creates a protective barrier that limits moisture intrusion. Clean the gaps between posts throughout the season to prevent snow buildup.

2. Push Posts Below Frost Line

The frost line is the underground depth to which groundwater freezes. When fence posts are in frozen ground, they may move if the soil shifts when the frost thaws away. This harms the fence’s stability and could cause portions to fall over. Prevent this by pushing the posts at least to the frost line, which in Ohio is 32 inches deep. This means you’ll need to push them past that point to prevent the posts from shifting.

3. Trim Tree Branches

A massive snowstorm will severely damage fencing if you don’t take precautions before the season. Consider the proximity of branches to your fence. If there are low-hanging limbs that graze the structure, or that hover directly above it, they will destroy sections if they fall or collapse. Trim away the excess branches before inclement weather arrives.

Homeowners throughout Newark, OH, trust the fence contractors at A & B Fence to add beauty and security to their properties. Serving the Licking County community since 1969, they offer a variety of materials, including vinyl, aluminum, and wood fencing, as well as gates and industrial fences. Visit them online for information, or give them a call at (740) 344-7943 to request a quote.