A wood fence doesn't need much upkeep, but the little it does need matters. Most of the fences that fail early aren't unlucky — they just never got the few minutes a year this takes.
A simple seasonal checklist
| Season | What to do |
|---|---|
| Fall (before the rainy season) | Push-test every post; fix soft ones now, before winter storms. Clear leaves and debris built up against the base. |
| Winter | After any big storm, walk the fence and check for new leans, cracked footings, or loosened hardware. |
| Spring | Clean the fence, check for mildew or moss on shaded sides, and inspect for winter damage worth addressing before it's forgotten. |
| Summer | Stain or seal if it's due (see below); adjust sprinklers before the dry season locks in bad habits for another year. |
Staining and sealing: when and how often
New pressure-treated wood typically needs to dry out for several weeks to a couple of months before it will properly absorb a stain or sealer — staining too soon can trap moisture in rather than keep it out. Once a fence is stained, most exterior wood stains need to be reapplied every 2 to 4 years, sooner on sides that get full sun or sprinkler overspray, longer on shaded, protected runs. A quality sealer with UV protection helps most in Northern California's long, dry, sunny summers, which fade and dry out unprotected wood faster than rain does.
The everyday things that shorten a fence's life
- Sprinklers. A head that hits the fence base every day does more damage over a year than most storms do in a season. Redirect or replace it.
- Soil and mulch buildup. Landscaping that raises the grade against the fence over time buries wood that was never meant to sit below ground level.
- Vines and climbing plants. They look nice, but they trap moisture against the boards and can pry apart joints as they grow.
- Stacked firewood or storage against the fence. Keeps the wood damp and blocks airflow, both of which speed up rot.
Most of this maintenance is free or nearly free — it's mainly about noticing problems early. When something does need fixing, catching it during a routine fall check is a much smaller job than catching it after a winter storm; see fence repair after Bay Area windstorms for what that difference looks like in practice.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I stain my wood fence?
Most exterior stains need reapplication every 2 to 4 years, more often on sun- or sprinkler-exposed sides and less often on shaded runs. Check for fading, water no longer beading on the surface, or graying wood as signs it's due.
How soon can I stain a new fence?
New pressure-treated wood generally needs several weeks to a couple of months to dry out before it will properly absorb stain or sealer. Staining too soon can trap moisture in the wood.
Do sprinklers really damage fences?
Yes — a sprinkler head that regularly wets the base of a post or board keeps that wood damp far more consistently than rainfall alone, which is one of the more common preventable causes of early rot.
Cost ranges and legal notes on this page are general information, not a quote or legal advice. Prices vary by job; get an estimate for your fence.