# Fence maintenance checklist for Georgia homeowners > A fence maintenance checklist for Johns Creek and north Fulton: what to check each season on wood, vinyl, aluminum and chain link, from posts to gates. URL: https://uprightjohnscreekfencing.com/blog/fence-maintenance-checklist-georgia/ Maintenance Twenty minutes walking the line a couple of times a year catches the small problems, a loose post, a sprinkler soaking the boards, a sagging gate, before they spread. Last Updated: November 5, 2026 Twenty minutes walking the fence line a couple of times a year catches the small problems before they spread: a post starting to rock, a sprinkler soaking the boards every morning, a gate that has started to drag. Georgia’s heat, humidity, pine pollen and summer storms all work on a fence, and each season brings its own checks. [Upright Johns Creek Fencing](https://uprightjohnscreekfencing.com/) handles [fence repair](https://uprightjohnscreekfencing.com/fence-repair/) and staining across north Fulton. This checklist covers what an owner can check, and when to call for help. ## Every visit: the basics - **Push each post** at the top. It should not rock. A post that moves is the start of a lean; the [leaning post guide](https://uprightjohnscreekfencing.com/guide/leaning-fence-post/) explains what to do. - **Check the base of wood posts.** Dig back an inch or two and push a screwdriver into the wood. Soft wood at the soil line is rot. - **Open and close every gate.** It should swing freely and latch on its own. A gate that drags is sagging; see the [sagging gate guide](https://uprightjohnscreekfencing.com/guide/sagging-gate/). - **Look along the line** from one end. Any section out of line is worth a closer look. ## Spring - **Wash off pine pollen.** The yellow coating feeds mildew. A garden hose works on most fences. - **Check sprinklers.** Spring is when systems come back on. Re-aim any heads that spray the fence. - **Inspect for carpenter bees.** Round holes in rails and cap boards are their tunnels. - **Look for termite tubes** at the base of wood posts. ## Summer - **Watch for storm damage** after thunderstorms. The [storm damage post](https://uprightjohnscreekfencing.com/blog/storm-damaged-fence-what-to-do/) covers what to do. - **Trim vines and shrubs** away from the fence, so boards can dry. - **Check stain.** If water no longer beads on boards in full sun, they may need restaining in the fall. ## Fall - **Clear leaves and pine straw** from the bottom of the fence and from sliding gate tracks. - **Restain if needed.** Fall’s drier stretches are good staining weather; the [staining guide](https://uprightjohnscreekfencing.com/guide/when-to-stain-a-new-fence/) covers timing. - **Check trees over the fence.** Dead limbs over the line are the most common cause of storm damage here. ## Winter - **Walk the line after hard rain.** Wet clay softens, and posts that were marginal show it. - **Check gate latches** as wood shrinks in cold, dry weather. - **Plan repairs and replacements** for spring before the busy season. ## By material **Wood.** Stain on schedule, keep soil and mulch off the bottom boards, and replace split boards before water gets into the rails. The [wood fence lifespan guide](https://uprightjohnscreekfencing.com/guide/how-long-does-a-wood-fence-last/) explains why posts and soil contact matter most. **Vinyl.** Wash mildew and algae off the shaded side. Check for cracks after impacts and in cold weather. Keep the brand and color on file for repairs. **Aluminum and steel.** Rinse occasionally. On steel, touch up scratches promptly so rust does not spread. Check that gate hinges and latches still align. **Chain link.** Check for sagging fabric between posts and leaning end posts. Look for bent top rails after storms. ## Gates Gates need the most attention on any fence. Tighten hinge screws, lubricate hinges and latches, and check that self-closing gates still close from a slightly open position, especially around pools. ## Keep records Keep the installation date, the material, the stain brand and color, and for vinyl or aluminum, the manufacturer and style. Those details make matching repairs and restaining much easier years later. ## When to call Call for help when posts lean, rot has reached the posts, a gate cannot be adjusted to latch, or a storm has knocked down a section. A single repair is usually far less than fixing what a neglected problem takes with it. If repairs keep coming, the [repair or replace guide](https://uprightjohnscreekfencing.com/guide/repair-or-replace-fence/) helps decide. Questions about a specific fence can go to the number at the top of the page or the form below. ## Questions about this post ### How do I clean green algae off a fence? A garden hose, a soft brush and a mild cleaner made for the material usually remove it. Avoid high-pressure washing on wood, which can raise and gouge the grain. ### Should vines be allowed to grow on a fence? Vines hold moisture against boards, add weight and can pull fences out of line. Keep them trimmed back or grow them on a separate trellis set slightly in front of the fence. Want this answered for your own yard? A site visit shows what the line, the slope and the rules mean for your fence. Call (678) 509-2926 ## Keep reading Learn How long does a wood fence last? There is no single number. A wood fence lasts as long as its posts hold at the soil line, and that depends far more on how they were set than on the boards. Learn How do you fix a leaning fence post? Find out why it leans first. A rotted post is replaced; a sound post in a failed footing is reset deeper; a post bracket only buys time. Learn When should you stain a new fence? As soon as the wood is dry enough to absorb it, and not before. New pressure-treated pine arrives wet, so it usually needs weeks to months to dry out first. Learn Why is my fence gate sagging? Usually because the hinge post is leaning or the gate frame is racking out of square. Loose hinge screws come third. Each has a different fix. Repair Storm damaged fence: what to do first Stay clear of downed wires, photograph the damage before moving anything, secure pets and pools, then sort temporary fixes from lasting repairs.