How to prepare your fence for winter in 2023

It’s been a bit of a strange year weather-wise, hasn’t it? A pretty bleak summer followed by an unusually warm September and even a mini-heatwave in October (although lots of us – totally understandably – missed that one). Now though, the winter weather is finally well on the way, and there’s a noticeable chill in the air. So, while we’ve still got time before the clocks go back, there’s no better moment to take a moment to prepare your fence for winter in 2023.

And with our long history of being leading manufacturers and suppliers of garden fencing, wooden gates, garden decking and timber here at Monton Fencing, we’ve got a couple of good ideas on where to start!

Start with a visual check of your fence

This one is just as much about safety as it is about protecting your fence. High winds can get noticeably more common in winter, especially if you live by the ocean. Not only do they have the capacity to damage or blow over your fence, but in the worst case scenarios they can even end up causing loose fence panels to come off entirely, potentially turning them into hugely dangerous missiles.
So to avoid that, one of the first things that it’s a good idea to do is to make a quick inspection of your fence, and check to see if there are any physical issues that you’ll need to deal with, such as removing and replacing any panels that look like they won’t survive the winter. While you’re there it’s a good idea to make sure that your fence posts are secure too, so they don’t end up blowing down over the winter

Waterproof your fence

Naturally, over the winter your fence is going to take its fair share of inclement weather, so it’s a good idea to use oils and preservers to help ensure that it doesn’t suffer unnecessary damage from rain or snow. To be honest, it’s best to re-treat your fence every couple of years anyway, so the run-up to winter is as good a time to do it as any.

Now, ideally it’s to put aside a bit of time for this, as it’s not necessarily going to be a quick job, and obviously would preferably be done on a dry day. Those can get fewer and more far between as we head further into winter, so if you can get one of your family members to chip in, that could end up saving you a valuable bit of extra time!

Clear away leaves and debris from the bottom of your fence

Right off the bat, it probably sounds like leaves and debris shouldn’t be too much of a threat to your fence – they’re hardly going to knock it over, are they? But it’s easy to underestimate the damage that autumn leaves can actually do – they have an annoying tendency to gather at the foot of your fence posts and then get wet and start to rot. That creates damp areas at the foot of your posts, and cause them to decay more quickly in turn. Dense areas of snow, when they’re left unattended for long enough, can have exactly the same effect, so prepare to shovel away snowdrifts if they start to gather at the foot of your fence too!

Prune shrubbery and climbing plants

Just like your fence inspection above, this is another one that’s done just as much for your health and safety (and that of your family) as for your fence. Crucially, when you’re conducting that check of your fence and garden, don’t be afraid to let your gaze drift upwards too.

Tree branches can often weaken over autumn, which can leave them hanging precariously over your fence. That means not only are they liable to fall and damage your fence, but they could prove a danger to you and your family too. For that reason alone, it’s best to take a pair of secateurs to them before they have a chance to cause any serious damage – or worse, injury.

While you’re at it, cast your eye over any shrubbery and climbing plants in the vicinity of your fence too. In much the same way as the dead leaves we mentioned above, dead foliage and overgrown shrubs can start to weigh down on your fence and accelerate its decay – so give them a quick prune before they get the chance!

Those are just some of what would be our top priorities – you may well have one or two of your own! Whatever you decide to do though, you can always count on us here at Monton Fencing to provide the highest quality fencing materials and timber supplies for various landscaping projects, so whatever you’ve got in mind for your outdoor space, we can help to make it a reality. And if you’ve any questions or need clarification on anything, don’t hesitate to call us at 0161 788 78 38. We’re here to help!