Greg's Fence Installation - Sterling's Professional Wood and Vinyl Fencing

The main cause is frost heave. During freezing winters, moisture in the soil expands and pushes shallow-set posts upward. When the ground thaws, the posts may not settle back evenly. This is especially common in Sterling’s clay-heavy soils found near areas like Stillman Road or the Mohegan Church. Our solution is to dig post holes below the local frost line (typically 48 inches) and pour concrete that anchors the post firmly. This simple adjustment prevents shifting and keeps your fence level year-round.

Look for visible gaps between the fence rail and the post, or a slight lean in the panel. You might also notice a gate sagging or not latching properly. In Sterling’s climate, these symptoms often appear after a harsh winter, especially on properties near open fields or wooded areas like those off Route 14A. If you catch it early, we can often re-seat the post without replacing the entire fence, saving you time and money.

Yes, in most cases we can. We assess the affected posts—usually the ones installed above the frost line—and either dig them out and re-set them deeper with concrete, or replace just those sections. For chain-link gates or wooden gateposts, we strengthen the hinges and add gravel drainage around the base to reduce future heave. We’ve done this for many homes near the Sterling Historical Society, and it restores fence function at a fraction of the cost of a full replacement.