Winter weather can cause problems with wood fencing when you do not take time to care and maintain the material. When your area sees rain, snow, and ice, you'll need to do the following things to make sure your wood fence looks good when the spring weather comes.

Clear Your Fence Lines

Moisture can easily become trapped against a fence due to debris and leaves. The moisture will then get into the wood boards when the weather thaws throughout the winter. The moisture can cause issues with rot, mold, and mildew. Neglecting to rake this area during the fall may cause you to discover rotten fence boards that need replacement in the spring. Be sure to trim plants that are touching the fence, clean up debris against the fence line in the fall, and remove debris that collects against the fence throughout the winter.

Repair Broken Fence Boards

While the ideal time to repair broken fence boards is immediately after the damage happens, the next best time will be prior to winter. A board that is broken has exposed portions that are unsealed, making it vulnerable to developing mold due to moisture absorption. Mold can then spread to other boards, and cause you to replace more boards than if you just did the repair immediately. A broken board can also become damaged even more by high-speed winds, causing it to rip off the fence completely.

Sealing The Wood

Your goal prior to the winter is to find ways to keep moisture away from the wood, which is no easy task due to ice and snow buildup on your fence. A good defense requires sealing the wood. If you splash water on your fence and the water beads up, you have a sufficient seal. If water soaks in, you should add a new sealant. If the color of the fence has started to fade, it is also a great time to apply a coat of stain prior to the sealant.

Anticipate Potential Problems

Many issues can be prevented with the proper foresight. For example, walk along your fence and look for potential causes of damage. Do maintenance such as trimming back tree branches that look weak and could land on the fence. Use a hammer and nails to secure loose boards before they fall off.

If the spring comes and you discover that you have sustained damage to your fence, contact a fencing contractor like JT Fencing in your area to help repair it.