Hernandez Roofing & Fencing - Lancaster's Best Privacy Fence Installation

The main cause is the expansive clay soil common in Lancaster. When the soil gets wet it swells, and when it dries out it shrinks and cracks. This constant movement can loosen the soil around fence posts, causing them to tilt or become wobbly. Poor initial installation without adequate gravel or concrete footing can also speed up this process.

Look for visible leaning of the fence section, gaps forming between the post and the ground, cracks in the concrete around the base, or a gate that sticks or won't latch properly. Another sign is rot at the base of a wooden post, which can make it feel spongy when pressed. If you notice any of these issues, it's best to address them before the whole section falls.

For broken latches, we typically replace the latch with a heavy-duty model suited for outdoor exposure. For a wobbly gate, we first check if the hinge post is stable. If the post is loose, we reinforce it by digging around the base and resetting it with new concrete and gravel designed for our local soil. Sometimes simply adjusting the hinges or replacing a bent hinge can fix the issue. We'll also inspect the gate frame for warping or damage.