San Antonio summers are long and hot, and spring and fall can bring heavy storms. A little regular care goes a long way toward keeping your fence straight, solid and good-looking.
Every few months: walk the line
Take a slow lap around your fence and look for:
- Leaning sections or posts that wiggle
- Loose, cracked or missing pickets
- Gates that drag, sag or don’t latch
- Rust spots on iron or steel
- Soil washing out near posts
- Plants, vines or sprinkler spray hitting the fence
Catching small issues early is usually far cheaper than replacing sections later.
Wood fences
- Keep water off. Point sprinklers away from the fence. Constant watering speeds up rot and staining.
- Trim vegetation. Vines and shrubs trap moisture against boards.
- Re-stain or seal on the schedule your stain manufacturer recommends. Faded, dry-looking boards are a sign.
- Replace damaged pickets promptly with matching material and corrosion-resistant fasteners.
Iron and steel fences
- Touch up scratches with a rust-inhibiting primer and matching paint before rust spreads.
- Check welds and gate hinges, and lubricate hinges and latches.
- Watch the bottom rail where it sits near soil or mulch, since moisture collects there.
Vinyl fences
- Wash with mild soap and water to remove dust and mildew.
- Check panels for cracks after storms or impacts.
Gates
Gates take the most wear. If a gate starts to sag, deal with it early: adjusting hinges, adding an anti-sag kit or reinforcing the post can prevent bigger damage. See our gate guide.
After a storm
Check for leaning sections and broken posts, and photograph damage before you clean up if you might file an insurance claim. Our storm damage guide walks through next steps.
Need a repair? Request quotes from local network pros.
This guide is general information, not legal, engineering or professional advice. Rules vary by city, county and HOA, so always confirm with your HOA and your city before you build.