Kimball Construction & Fencing | Best Residential Fencing in The Dalles, OR

The main culprit is our local soil and weather. We have a lot of dry, sandy or rocky soil that doesn't hold concrete well, combined with strong, persistent winds from the Gorge. Over time, the ground shifts and the wind pushes against the fence, causing posts to wiggle loose. We solve this by setting posts deeper and using a wider concrete base or gravel backfill, depending on your soil type, to anchor them securely against our specific conditions.

Unfortunately, yes, it's very common here. The intense sun, dry air, and temperature swings between hot days and cold nights cause wood to expand and contract rapidly. This breaks the paint seal and leads to checking and cracking. As a solution, we use high-quality, flexible exterior paints and stains designed for high-UV areas, and we always prime and seal all six sides of the wood before installation. It’s a small extra step that adds years to the life of your fence.

That's a smart concern. For maximum wind resistance, we often recommend a semi-private fence design, like a board-on-board with gaps, or a good chain-link fence with privacy slats. These let wind pass through instead of pushing against a solid wall. We also use heavier-gauge hardware and galvanized fasteners that won't rust in our damp winters. We'll walk you through the best material and design for your specific property, whether you're near the river or up on the hill.