Good Fences Make Good Neighbours: DIY Fence Maintenance to Protect Your Boundaries

When is the last time you took a good look at your fence? Maintaining your fence isn't just about curb appeal—it's essential to clearly defining and protecting your property's boundaries. At Protect Your Boundaries, we know the value of keeping your fences in top shape: it helps prevent disputes, safeguards your property, and maintains good neighbourly relationships. This DIY guide will equip you with the essential fence maintenance skills you need to ensure your fence stays strong, upright, and attractive year-round.

1.Start with Certainty: Is Your Fence on Your Property?

At Protect Your Boundaries, our first piece of advice when assessing your property is to obtain a copy of your land survey plan, specifically a Surveyor's Real Property Report (SRPR). Verify your boundaries and ensure all your structures and landscaping are located within the property lines.

Making this crucial step is the best way to avoid legal disputes, protect your property, and keep friendly relationships with your neighbours. Check out our site for tips on how to read your survey plan.

• PYB Pro Tip: Check your survey plan before making repairs or changes.

2. Assessing Fence Health: Spot the Early Warning Signs

Regularly inspecting your fence can help you catch problems before they get worse and more expensive. Look closely for soft, spongy wood or discolouration, clear indicators of rot and water damage. Keep an eye out for leaning or unstable posts, as these could quickly lead to structural failure.
Small holes, sawdust, or tunnels may signal an insect infestation that’s quietly weakening your fence. Identifying these early signs and taking action promptly can significantly extend your fence’s lifespan.

3. Strong Posts, Strong Fence: Reinforcing Stability

Fence posts hold your entire fence upright keeping them stable is essential. If you spot leaning or unstable posts, brace them by digging around the base and adding concrete to anchor them securely.

To protect posts against seasonal shifts and frost, ensure they’re set deep enough below the frost line (usually about 3 to 4 feet deep in Ontario). You can also add metal post brackets or steel braces for extra support.

4. Winning the War on Rot: Moisture Management

Water is your fence’s worst enemy. To prevent moisture damage, keep the base of your fence clear of leaves, mulch, or soil that can trap moisture. Ensure there’s good airflow around your fence by regularly trimming bushes and grass.

Applying a wood sealant or stain every year creates a protective barrier against water and insects. For better drainage, consider adding gravel at the base of posts or slightly raising fence panels above the ground.

5. Weather-Proofing Your Fence: Beat the Elements

Canadian weather can be tough on fences—high winds, heavy snow, and freezing rain can all cause damage. Secure your fence panels with weather-resistant screws rather than nails, which tend to loosen over time.

Space fence boards slightly apart to allow wind to pass through rather than pushing against a solid surface. Regularly clear snow from fence lines to reduce weight and pressure and reinforce gates and hinges to withstand stormy weather.

6. Simple DIY Repairs: Extend the Life of Your Fence

You don’t always need a full replacement to keep your fence in good shape. Minor repairs can significantly extend its life. For damaged boards, simply remove them carefully by unscrewing the fasteners, then cut replacement boards to match.

Secure loose panels or boards with new screws or fence clips. Small cracks and splits in wood can be patched or sealed with outdoor-grade wood filler. Regularly checking and addressing these small issues early prevents costly replacements later.

7. The Annual Maintenance Checklist: A DIY Homeowner’s Guide

• Spring: Inspect for winter damage, wash off dirt and mildew, reseal or stain if needed.
• Summer: Tighten any loose screws, check gates and hardware, treat fence for pests if necessary.
• Fall: Clear away fallen leaves and debris, look for ground-level rot, and trim vegetation away from the fence.

A legal survey from Protect Your Boundaries is an investment that pays off in peace of mind, neighbourly goodwill, and protecting your property's value. By properly placing and maintaining your fence, you're not only safeguarding your physical boundaries but fostering a clear, respectful relationship with those around you. Remember, good fences truly do make good neighbours—and at Protect Your Boundaries, we're here to help you keep them that way.