Fencing Company Arlington NY | Call Doughty & Sons

The primary cause is frost heave. Here in Arlington, our clay-heavy soil traps moisture, which freezes and expands during winter. This upward pressure can push fence posts out of alignment, especially if they weren't set deep enough. Doughty & Sons solves this by installing posts below the frost line (typically 48 inches) and using gravel drainage to prevent water from pooling at the base.

Look for signs of rot at the bottom of the panels, extensive cracking from freeze-thaw cycles, or significant warping that compromises privacy. If only one or two panels are damaged, we can often replace them individually. However, if the posts are also shifting or rotting, a full section replacement might be more cost-effective. We'll inspect your fence carefully and provide an honest assessment.

Absolutely. As a full-service landscaping contractor, we often regrade the soil around fence lines or install French drains to redirect water away from the posts. This long-term fix stops the frost heave cycle from recurring. It’s a smarter approach than just resetting a post in the same wet soil.