How long does a wood fence last, and do I have to do anything to maintain it?

The posts go first

When somebody says a wood fence lasts a certain number of years, they mean the posts. Pickets and rails above ground can be replaced piece by piece. A post that has rotted where it enters the ground cannot be patched. Push on each post. If they all stand firm, the fence has life left in it.

What we do to make it last

• Pressure treated posts set in concrete, deep enough for our ground.
• The concrete crowned so water sheds away from the post instead of sitting on it.
• Rails and pickets fastened so they do not work loose as the wood moves through the seasons.

What you can do

Seal or stain it in the first year or so and again every few years. Keep sprinklers off it. Keep dirt, mulch, and vines off the bottom of the boards so they can dry out. That is most of it.

Repair or replace?

If the posts are solid and only some boards are bad, repair. If more than a few posts move when you push them, you are better off replacing that run. We do both, and we will tell you which one you actually need.