Nomad Construction | Local Fence Installation in Buffalo, NY

This is usually due to frost heave. In Buffalo, the ground freezes and thaws repeatedly through winter and spring. If a post is set in concrete but the base of the concrete sits in the frost zone, the freezing ground can actually lift the concrete and post upward. That's why we set our fence posts on a gravel base with concrete poured around the post, but we make sure the concrete doesn't go all the way to the surface – and we dig the hole deep enough so the bottom of the concrete sits below the frost line. We also use a gravel layer under the concrete to allow water to drain away, reducing upward pressure.

If you see cracked concrete around the base of the posts, or the wood is rotting at ground level where it meets the concrete, those are signs the footing may be compromised. If only one or two posts are leaning, we can sometimes dig them out and pour new deep-set footings. But if you have multiple posts leaning, concrete cracked on several footings, or the fence panels themselves are warped or rotting, a full replacement is often more cost-effective. We can inspect your fence and give you a straight answer on whether a targeted repair will last or if it makes more sense to start fresh with a system designed for Buffalo winters.

The key is getting those posts deep and using the right base. For any fence we install in the Buffalo area, we dig post holes to a depth of 36 to 48 inches, which puts the base well below the frost line. We add 6 to 8 inches of crushed gravel at the bottom for drainage, then set the post and pour concrete on top of that gravel, stopping a few inches below the surface. That way, the concrete itself acts like a deadman anchor, but water can still drain out. We also recommend pressure-treated wood or vinyl posts that resist moisture. For areas with heavy clay soils, like near the lake, we sometimes add a wider concrete collar to help resist lateral shifting.