Most fences need very little attention, but a few minutes a season goes a long way in Florida's sun, rain, and humidity. Here's what to do for each material, and the small fixes you can safely handle yourself.
Salt Air & Humidity
Close to the bay, salt settles on fences and hardware. Rinse aluminum, vinyl, and gate hardware with fresh water every month or two to slow corrosion.
Check hinges and latches for rust and replace corroded fasteners with stainless steel before they fail.
Care by Material
Vinyl
- Rinse with a garden hose a few times a year. For mildew or green film, use mild soap and water with a soft brush, then rinse.
- Avoid pressure washers set too high and harsh solvents — they can scuff or dull the surface.
- Keep sprinklers from spraying the same spot constantly; mineral-rich water can leave stains.
Aluminum
- Wash with mild soap and water to remove dirt and salt; rinse well, especially near the coast.
- Touch up any scratches in the powder coat with a matching touch-up paint to keep the finish looking new.
- Check that gate hinges and latches open and close smoothly — pool gates must self-close and self-latch.
Wood
- Seal or stain within the first year, then every few years depending on sun exposure.
- Keep soil, mulch, and plants from piling up against boards and posts — trapped moisture causes rot.
- Replace a cracked or broken picket as soon as you notice it so the damage doesn't spread.
Chain Link
- Pull vines and weeds out of the mesh before they tighten around it.
- Check tension wires and ties once a year and retighten any that have loosened.
Easy Fixes You Can Do
1Gate sags or drags on the ground
Check the hinge screws and tighten any that have backed out. Many gates have an adjustable hinge or anti-sag kit — a few turns can lift the latch side. If the post itself is leaning, that's a job for us.
2Latch won't catch
Open and close the gate slowly and watch where the latch meets the striker. Loosen the striker screws, slide it to line up, and retighten. A drop of lubricant on moving parts helps too.
3Pool gate doesn't close on its own
Clean the hinges, then adjust the spring tension per the hinge's instructions. Because pool gates are a safety barrier, call us if it still won't self-close and self-latch every time.
4Mildew or green film
Mix mild dish soap in warm water, scrub with a soft brush, and rinse. For stubborn spots on vinyl, a diluted vinegar solution usually works.
5Loose screws or fasteners
Tighten them with a hand screwdriver rather than a drill to avoid stripping. Replace any rusted fasteners with stainless or coated ones.