How to take care of your garden fence
After spending time and money selecting the perfect garden fence—whether for privacy, shade, or style—it’s important not to forget about ongoing maintenance. A well-installed timber fence can last many years, but only if it’s looked after properly. With a bit of regular care, you can keep your fence strong, safe, and looking its best in every season. Here are our top tips for getting the most out of your fencing investment.
Top Tips for Maintaining Your Timber Fence
We recommend giving your timber fence some attention every two to three years. This helps preserve its strength, improves longevity, and keeps it looking fresh and tidy in your garden.
1. Give It a Good Scrub
A good old-fashioned scrub is a great place to start. Before cleaning, protect any nearby plants or grass. Use garden tools to remove dirt, moss, weeds, and algae from the fence surface. The Roughneck MUTT multipurpose scraper is an excellent tool for this job and a great addition to any shed.
Warm soapy water works well, but for tougher growth or algae, a dedicated timber cleaner like Ronseal Garden Cleaner is a smart investment. It removes stubborn marks without affecting any existing treatment on your fence.
2. Remove Rotten Wood
Once your fence is clean and dry, inspect the timber for signs of rot. Pay close attention to the base of fence posts and the lower edges of panels, where moisture can collect. If you find any soft or crumbling wood, it’s best to remove and replace it before the damage spreads.
Use a crowbar to gently loosen panels. Be cautious of nails—either saw through them or knock them into the wood to make them safe. If you're replacing a post, remove the adjacent panels first, then dig out the post using a strong spade. Replace it with a post of the same size and material. If you're considering an upgrade, check out our blog on choosing between timber, concrete, and galvanised steel fence posts.
3. Add a Pop of Colour
Once your fence is clean and free of damage, a fresh coat of treatment will protect it and revive its appearance. Ronseal Shed and Fence Preserver is available in a range of natural colours including Black, Autumn Brown, Dark Brown, Green, and Light Brown. It helps waterproof the timber and guards against rot.
For more vibrant options, Ronseal Fence Life Plus is available in ten colours such as Cornflower Blue, Red Cedar, and Forest Green. It’s suitable for both rough sawn and smooth planed timber, can be applied to damp wood, and offers up to 5 years of weather protection. Apply two coats for rough sawn, or three for smooth planed timber.
Short on time? The Ronseal Precision Finish Fence Sprayer makes quick work of large areas—treating a full panel in as little as 3 minutes. With two spray widths, it offers speed and control for an even finish, even in tricky corners.
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