FENCE CARE & UPKEEP
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Seasonal Plan
Fence Maintenance for Michigan Homes
Michigan winters do most of the damage a fence ever sees: frost heave, ice-loaded boards, road salt and spring mud. A short routine in spring and fall catches loose posts, sagging gates and graying wood before they turn into a replacement.
Spring & Fall Inspections
Wood Cleaning & Sealing
Gate & Hardware Tune-Ups
Repairs Quoted in Writing
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WHAT MAINTENANCE PREVENTS
Four Problems a Little Upkeep Stops Early
Almost every fence we replace failed in one of these four ways, and almost all of them gave warning signs for a year or two first.
Rot at the Ground Line
Wood posts fail where soil, water and air meet. Keeping mulch and soil pulled back from the posts and sealing the bottom of the boards adds years.
Keep grade off the wood
Gates That Stop Latching
A gate that drags is the first sign of a shifting post or loose hinge screws. Adjusting it early keeps the post from being wrenched out of line.
Adjust before it drags
Graying and Splitting
UV and freeze-thaw cycles pull moisture in and out of bare wood until boards cup and split. A penetrating sealer slows that cycle way down.
Seal every 2–3 years
Rust and Mildew
Salt spray near driveways corrodes hardware, and shaded vinyl grows mildew. A wash and a hardware check keep both cosmetic instead of structural.
Wash spring and fall
WHEN UPKEEP IS NOT ENOUGH
Maintenance Services and Repairs We Handle
If your inspection turns up more than a loose screw, these are the services that pick up where routine care leaves off.
Wood Fences
Staining & Weather Sealing
Clean, Brighten, Seal
We wash off mildew and gray fibers, let the wood dry, then apply a penetrating oil-based sealer or semi-transparent stain by spray and back-brush.
Interval:
Every 2–3 years
Prep:
Wash and dry-out time
Finish:
Clear, toner, semi-transparent
Best For:
Cedar and treated pine
Both sides on request
Structural
Leaning Post Replacement
Frost-Heaved or Rotted Posts
When a post leans or rocks, we dig it out, reset or replace it at 42 inches in concrete and rehang the sections without tearing down the whole run.
Cause:
Frost heave, rot, wind
Fix:
New post at 42″
Scope:
One post or a run
Best For:
Leaning, wobbling lines
Sections reused where sound
Hardware
Gate Realignment & Latches
Hinges, Latches, Sag Kits
Sagging gates get squared, re-hung on heavier hinges and fitted with new latches. Pool gates are re-tested for self-closing and self-latching.
Fixes:
Sag, drag, misaligned latch
Hardware:
Heavy hinges, new latches
Pool Gates:
Self-close re-tested
Best For:
Daily-use gates
Most fixed in one visit
All Materials
Fence Repair Services
Storm, Tree & Wear Damage
Broken boards, cracked vinyl panels, bent chain link top rail and storm damage, matched to your existing fence wherever the material is still available.
Materials:
Wood, vinyl, metal
Damage:
Storm, tree, vehicle
Matching:
Style and color sourced
Best For:
Anything beyond upkeep
Repair vs. replace advice
MAINTENANCE BY MATERIAL
What Each Fence Material Actually Needs
Wood needs the most attention. Rinse or wash it each spring, keep sprinklers from soaking the same boards daily and seal it every two to three years with a penetrating finish. Pressure-treated pine should dry for several weeks to a few months after install before the first coat. Our guides on how to apply stain to a fence and choosing a fence sealant cover the DIY route step by step.
Vinyl, aluminum and chain link need far less: a wash to remove mildew, pollen and road salt, a look at gate hardware, and a check that posts are still plumb after winter. On any material, a post that has moved more than an inch or so out of plumb is a structural problem, not a maintenance one. That usually means the post was set too shallow for Michigan's 42-inch frost line.
ANNUAL CARE BY MATERIAL
Routine
Refinish
Cedar
Western Red Cedar
Wash each spring
Seal every 2-3 yrs
Treated Pine
Pressure-treated
Wash each spring
Seal every 2 yrs
Vinyl
Virgin PVC
Rinse twice a year
Never
Aluminum
Powder-coated
Rinse, check hardware
Touch-up only
Chain Link
Galvanized or coated
Check ties, tension
Never
A SIMPLE YEARLY ROUTINE
Your Spring, Summer and Fall Fence Checklist
Twenty minutes twice a year is enough for most fences. Here is the order we would do it in.
01
Step 1
Spring: Inspect After the Thaw
Once the ground firms up, walk the line. Frost heave shows up as posts that lean, rails that bow or gates that suddenly rub.
Sight down the line for lean
Push each post for movement
Open and close every gate
FINISH SEASON
02
Step 2
Summer: Clean and Seal
Dry, warm weeks are the window for washing and sealing wood. Aim for a stretch with no rain in the forecast for a day or two after the coat.
Wash off mildew and dirt
Let wood dry fully
Seal tops and bottoms of boards
03
Step 3
Fall: Prep for Winter
Trim back branches that will load up with ice, pull leaves and soil off the bottom boards and tighten hardware before the freeze.
Trim overhanging limbs
Clear debris from the base
Lube hinges and latches
Found a Leaning Post or a Broken Gate?
Call (734) 977-0554. We will look at it, tell you whether it is a repair or a replacement, and put the price in writing.
SMALL HABITS, LONGER FENCE
Six Maintenance Tips That Make the Biggest Difference
None of these take special tools, and each one targets a specific way fences fail in this climate.
Aim Sprinklers Away
A sprinkler hitting the same boards every morning keeps them wet enough to rot and grow mildew. Adjust heads so the fence stays dry.
Do Not Pile Snow on It
Plowed or shoveled snow banked against a fence adds weight and holds moisture at the bottom boards for months. Pile it in the open yard instead.
Keep Vines Off
Ivy and climbing plants hold moisture, pry boards loose and add wind load. Use a separate trellis a few inches off the fence.
Watch the Pressure Washer
High pressure furs up wood fibers and can gouge cedar. Use a wide tip, low pressure and a proper wood cleaner instead.
Rinse Off Road Salt
Fences along driveways and streets catch salt spray all winter. A spring rinse protects hardware, coated chain link and aluminum finish.
Fix Gates First
Gates move every day and take the most stress. A ten-minute hinge adjustment keeps the post from being pried out of plumb.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Fence Maintenance Questions
Quick answers on how often, what with and when to call a pro.
How often should a wood fence be sealed in Michigan?
Every two to three years for most cedar and pressure-treated fences, sooner on sides that get full afternoon sun. If water stops beading on the boards, it is time for another coat.
When is the best time to stain a fence in Metro Detroit?
Late spring through early fall, on dry days above about 50 degrees with no rain expected for at least a day. The wood itself needs to be dry, so wait a couple of days after a soaking rain.
How do I clean a vinyl fence?
Rinse with a garden hose and wash with mild soap and a soft brush. For mildew in shaded spots, use a cleaner made for vinyl siding. Avoid abrasive pads that dull the surface.
Why does my fence lean after winter?
Almost always frost heave. Michigan frost reaches about 42 inches, and posts set shallower get lifted a little each freeze. Resetting the affected posts below the frost line in concrete is the lasting fix.
Is it worth maintaining an old fence or should I replace it?
If the posts are solid and plumb, maintenance and a few boards are usually worth it. If many posts are rotted at the ground line or leaning, replacement typically costs less over time than repeated repairs.
Do you offer fence maintenance on fences you did not install?
Yes. We inspect, seal and repair fences regardless of who built them, and we tell you plainly when a repair is not worth the money.
FREE FENCE INSPECTION QUOTE
Get a Maintenance or Repair Quote
Tell us what you are seeing: graying boards, a leaning run or a gate that will not latch. We will look at it on site and give you a written price.
PREFER TO CALL DIRECTLY?
Speak directly with our estimating desk for quick questions or emergency repairs.
Honest repair-versus-replace advice
Sealing and staining priced per side
Posts reset below the 42″ frost line
Get Your Free Estimate
Quick response guaranteed within 24 hours
Online Booking Open
🔒 Your contact info is strictly confidential. We never sell your data or spam you.