Bay Area Lions Gate - San Rafael's Experienced Commercial Fencing

San Rafael's clay-heavy soil and seasonal heavy rains are the main culprits. Water pools around wooden posts, saturating the dirt. When the soil dries, it shrinks, creating gaps and causing the post to loosen and shift. Our solution involves removing the affected post, digging a wider and deeper hole, and setting the new post in a concrete footing that extends below the frost line. We also grade the surrounding soil to encourage water runoff away from the post. For a quick repair on a slightly loose post, we can sometimes brace it with a galvanized steel anchor.

Look for gates that don't latch properly, gaps between the fence and the ground, or a visible lean in the posts. You might also see cracks in the soil around the base of the post. Yes, we can repair these. For posts that have shifted but are not rotten, we can often pull them back into alignment and reinforce the base with a concrete collar or a metal spike anchor. If the post is severely compromised, we install a new post in a proper concrete footing. We also offer full fence repair services to replace any warped or damaged pickets or rails.

Indirectly, yes. While a sealant won't stop erosion, it protects the wood from moisture absorption. When untreated wood soaks up water, it swells, then shrinks as it dries. This constant movement can widen the gap between the post and the soil, accelerating erosion. A proper stain or paint with a waterproof barrier helps the wood maintain a stable moisture level, reducing swelling and shrinking. We offer fence painting and staining services using high-quality exterior-grade products that penetrate the wood and resist UV damage and moisture. Combined with proper drainage, this extends the life of your fence significantly.