FENCE TIPS & MAINTENANCE
Project managed personally by Paragon’s owner prior to launching Paragon.
Owning a fence is pretty straightforward. If you give it a little attention from time to time, it’ll hold up well and age the way it should. Most fence issues we get called out to fix didn’t happen overnight — they’re usually the result of moisture sitting where it shouldn’t, hardware slowly loosening, or landscaping slowly working against the fence instead of with it.
1. keep the bottom of the fence clean and dry
This is the number one thing we see shorten the life of a fence.
Example of picket rotting due to fence being installed directly against the ground.
Wood wants to dry out after it gets wet. When dirt, mulch, leaves, or grass pile up against the bottom of your pickets, that moisture gets trapped — and trapped moisture leads to rot.
What to watch for:
Soil or mulch touching the bottom of the pickets
Grass growing up and staying damp against the fence
Leaves collecting along the fence line
Quick tip:
You should be able to see daylight under most fences. That small gap isn’t a mistake — it’s there so the pickets can dry out.
A note about landscapers (this one’s important)
We see this all the time: fences turned into retaining walls.
If dirt is built up on one side of the fence to level a yard or garden bed, the fence will fail early. Fences are not designed to hold back soil. If you need to manage elevation changes, that’s where a proper retaining wall comes in — not your fence posts.
Dry pickets = longer-lasting pickets. It really is that simple.
2. stain and seal on a realistic schedule
Staining isn’t just about looks. It’s your fence’s main line of defense against sun and moisture.
Here in Texas, UV exposure is brutal. Unprotected cedar will fade, dry out, and eventually crack. Stain helps slow that process way down.
General guidelines:
Re-stain every 3–7 years
Lighter or transparent stains fade faster
Solid stains last longer but hide more of the wood grain
One important timing tip:
Always let a new cedar fence weather for a bit before staining. Fresh cedar needs time to release moisture, otherwise the stain won’t penetrate properly.
See examples of stain we offer.
3. check hardware before it becomes a problem
Fences move. Gates move even more.
Temperature swings, wind, and regular use slowly loosen hardware over time. Catching those small changes early can prevent bigger repairs later.
Once or twice a year, take a look at:
Gate hinges and latch alignment
Screws or bolts backing out
Posts that feel loose when pushed
If a gate starts sagging, don’t ignore it. That extra stress transfers to the posts and hinges, which can turn a small fix into a bigger one.
4. trim back plants
Vines, shrubs, and trees might look nice along a fence, but they can cause real issues if left unchecked.
Plants hold moisture against the wood and can apply constant pressure as they grow. Over time, that leads to warping, rot, or leaning sections.
You don’t need to keep everything bare — just give the fence room to breathe.
5. how paragon handles fence maintenance differently
Most fence companies warranty their work and hope you don’t call.
We do it differently.
Every Paragon fence includes:
A 1-year craftsmanship warranty
A scheduled service visit one year after installation
That service visit isn’t just a courtesy check-in. We:
Inspect the entire fence
Tighten hardware where needed
Address any warranty issues on the spot
Wood fences settle. Posts shift slightly. Gates get used. That one-year visit lets us fine-tune everything after the fence has lived through a full season of weather.
final thoughts
A fence doesn’t need constant attention — just the right attention at the right time.
Keep the base clear, don’t bury your pickets, stain on a realistic schedule, and handle small issues before they turn into big ones. Do that, and your fence will age the way it should: gradually, evenly, and without surprises.
If you ever have questions about maintaining your fence, or if something doesn’t look quite right, reach out. We’re always happy to take a look and help you stay ahead of problems.
Need help with maintenance, staining, or repairs?
Contact Paragon Fence & Outdoor — we’ll help you keep your fence looking good and working the way it should.