What This Year’s Wettest Spring in Years Is Doing to Garden Fences

This spring has been one of the wettest in recent memory. Across York and much of the UK, soil has stayed saturated for weeks at a time. Lawns feel soft underfoot. Borders are slow to dry. And fences are under quiet pressure. I have taken more calls this season from homeowners searching fencing companies near me than I usually would in early summer. Many start by reading through York Fencing because they want to understand whether what they are seeing is normal seasonal movement or something more serious.

From decades working as a fencing contractor across York, I can say prolonged wet weather changes how fences behave. Not dramatically overnight, but steadily. Posts shift. Rails soften. Fixings strain. The damage rarely looks dramatic at first, which is why it catches people out.

Why constant saturation changes everything

Fences are built to cope with rain. They are not built to sit in wet ground for months without relief.

Clay soil, common across York, holds water. When it stays saturated for long periods, it loses strength. Fence posts rely on compacted soil and concrete for stability. When that soil softens, the post moves more easily.

Movement may only be a few millimetres at first. But over time, small shifts add up.

One thing I see often on local jobs is a fence that looks straight from a distance but moves when you push it. That is usually the first sign of ground fatigue.

Posts are taking the brunt of the damage

Posts do most of the work in a fence system. They carry weight and resist wind load. When ground conditions weaken, posts are the first to suffer.

I typically install posts at around 600mm to 750mm depth, sometimes deeper if soil is poor. Even so, prolonged wet conditions can reduce the grip of surrounding soil.

Older fences with shallow posts struggle far more. I have inspected several this spring where posts were barely 450mm deep. In saturated clay, that is simply not enough.

Homeowners searching for fencing contractor near me often find the root problem is below ground, not above.

Leaning fences are not always wind damage

After a wet spring, people often blame leaning fences on wind. In reality, it is usually ground movement.

When soil remains soft for weeks, posts settle unevenly. A small lean appears. Panels adjust. Rails strain.

It does not take a storm to create a visible problem. Saturation alone can do it.

If left alone, that small lean tends to worsen once drier weather arrives and soil shrinks.

Rail softening is an early warning sign

Rails are often overlooked because they sit behind panels. But prolonged dampness affects them too.

Pressure treated timber performs well, but even treated timber absorbs moisture when conditions remain wet. Over time, that moisture softens fibres.

I have removed panels this spring to find rails that look intact but feel spongy when pressed. That softness reduces stiffness. Panels begin to flex more than they should.

Homeowners usually notice the rattle before they notice the rail.

Gravel boards and water pooling

Gravel boards are designed to protect panels from ground contact. When ground levels are wrong or drainage is poor, they can trap water along the fence line.

This year I have seen several cases where water pooled along gravel boards for extended periods. Timber sat in damp soil longer than it should have.

That repeated wetting and drying cycle accelerates decay.

If you see moss building up heavily at the base of panels, it is often a drainage issue rather than just shade.

Drainage patterns are exposing installation shortcuts

Wet springs reveal which fences were installed with drainage in mind and which were not.

On good installations, I include gravel at the base of post holes to encourage drainage. I also make sure ground levels slope slightly away from posts where possible.

On some older fences I inspect, there is no gravel, shallow concrete, and soil packed tightly against timber. In prolonged wet conditions, that combination fails.

Homeowners often assume all fencing services follow the same standards. In reality, installation detail makes a huge difference.

Composite fencing is behaving differently

Composite fencing reacts differently to prolonged wet weather. The boards themselves do not absorb moisture like timber. They do not swell or soften.

Composite fencing cost is higher, but this spring it has shown its strengths. Where posts are concrete and installation was done properly, composite systems have remained straight.

However, composite still relies on solid posts and good ground preparation. If posts move, panels move with them.

Material choice helps, but ground conditions still rule.

New build gardens are struggling

New build plots are particularly vulnerable in wet springs. Ground is often made up and not fully settled. Drainage patterns are not always established.

I have inspected several new build fences this season where posts have shifted noticeably within a couple of years.

Homeowners in these areas are frequently searching fence installation near me sooner than they expected.

Wet conditions highlight weaknesses in made up ground quickly.

Why repairs spike after wet seasons

Calls for fence repair near me tend to spike after prolonged wet periods rather than after single storms.

Repairs often involve:

• Resetting leaning posts
• Replacing softened rails
• Adjusting dropped gates
• Replacing warped panels

The key question is whether repairs address the root cause. If ground remains unstable, repairs may be temporary.

Reviewing fence repairs options carefully helps homeowners decide whether to reset posts or plan for replacement.

Gate problems are an early clue

Gates are sensitive to movement. If a gate begins scraping or no longer latches cleanly, it often means the supporting post has shifted.

This spring I have adjusted more gates than usual, often because ground saturation caused subtle post rotation.

Homeowners sometimes treat gate issues as minor. In reality, they can signal broader movement along the fence line.

Wind load combined with wet ground

Wet ground alone causes movement. Add wind load and the effect multiplies.

Solid closeboard panels catch wind. In saturated soil, posts resist less. This combination is common in exposed York gardens.

Where hit and miss or slatted designs are used, airflow reduces pressure. Those fences have generally fared better this season.

Design choice plays a role in resilience.

The hidden cost of ignoring early signs

A fence that leans slightly in spring may still stand upright. It may feel safe enough.

But movement stresses fixings and rails. Timber fibres begin to tear. Once dry weather arrives, shrinking soil can leave gaps around posts.

Ignoring early signs often leads to higher costs later in the year.

That is why many homeowners are acting earlier this season rather than waiting for visible failure.

What homeowners should check now

After a wet spring, a few simple checks help assess risk:

• Push posts gently and check for movement
• Look along the top line for dips or rises
• Inspect rail condition behind panels
• Check for water pooling along the base
• Test gate alignment

If multiple issues appear, it may be time to speak to fencing contractors near me rather than waiting for autumn storms.

Why timing matters for installation

Installing fencing in controlled conditions produces better results. Concrete cures properly. Ground preparation is easier. Drainage adjustments can be made accurately.

Waiting until winter when soil is saturated again makes installation harder.

This is one reason early summer enquiries rise after wet springs.

Long term planning after a wet season

Prolonged wet weather is a reminder that fences sit in living soil. Conditions change year to year.

Planning for durability means:

• Adequate post depth
• Proper drainage
• Strong fixings
• Material suited to exposure

Homeowners exploring fencing contractors for advice often discover that deeper posts and better drainage prevent repeat issues.

Why this wet spring is changing attitudes

This year’s extended rainfall has made boundary performance visible. It has shown which fences were installed with care and which were not.

From years on site, I can say that wet springs do not destroy good fences. They reveal weak ones.

Homeowners exploring garden fencing solutions now often do so with a different mindset. They are not just replacing panels. They are thinking about soil, drainage, and long term stability.

Prolonged rain does not have to mean constant repair. But it does require attention to detail and installation standards that match local ground conditions. When those factors are respected, fences cope far better with seasons like this one.