1. Clear the fence line before the first snow
Anything leaning against the fence when the snow arrives becomes a moisture trap for five months. Pull back soil, mulch and leaf piles so the bottom rail can dry, and cut back shrubs at least 30 cm from the boards.
- Rake leaves away from the base of every panel
- Trim vines and climbing plants off the pickets
- Move planters, bikes and firewood off the fence line
2. Inspect posts for frost heave risk
A post that already wobbles in October will move more once the ground freezes. Push firmly at the top of each post — anything with visible play should be re-set before the ground hardens. Posts set below Ottawa's 1.2 m frost line resist heaving; shallower posts are the ones that lift.
3. Seal wood before the wet season
Water absorbed into end grain freezes and splits boards. If water no longer beads on your fence, it is time to re-seal. Apply a penetrating stain or sealer on a dry day above 10 °C, focusing on post tops, cut ends and the bottom 30 cm of every board.
4. Protect against plough spray and salt
Fence sections along a driveway or sidewalk get hit with salt slush all winter. Salt corrodes hardware and dries out wood fibre. Rinse those sections in spring, and consider a sacrificial snow fence or a gap between the sidewalk and your panels on new installs.
5. Service the gates
Gates fail more often than fences. Tighten hinge screws, lubricate latches with a dry lubricant (not oil, which attracts grit), and leave a slightly wider gap at the bottom so accumulating ice does not jam the swing.
Quick checklist
- Fence line cleared of leaves, soil and stored items
- Every post checked for movement
- Wood sealed and water beading
- Hardware tightened and lubricated
- Gate clearance adjusted for ice buildup