On the Fence, Inc. | Reliable Wood and Vinyl Fencing in Mayfield Heights, OH

The main cause is moisture getting trapped in the wood. With our wet springs and heavy snow melt around Mayfield Heights, plus road salt spray from Mayfield Road and I-271, untreated wood soaks up water. That trapped moisture promotes rot and fungal growth. The solution is to have your fence professionally weatherproofed with a high-quality sealant or stain, applied on all six sides of each board before installation. On the Fence, Inc. also ensures proper gaps between pickets for airflow, and uses galvanized or stainless steel hardware to prevent rust staining.

A sagging gate is usually a sign that the hinges are pulling out of the post, or the gate frame itself has twisted from the weight of wet wood. In our area, the freeze-thaw cycle can also heave the gate post, throwing it out of alignment. The solution is a repair: we will replace any rotted wood, install heavier-duty hinges (often using longer, structural screws that bite into the post framing), and sometimes add a wind chain or a wheel kit to support the gate. We can also adjust the gate post laterally and re-set it on a gravel base to minimize future frost heave.

We strongly recommend a penetrating oil-based stain instead of paint. Paint forms a film that can peel and trap moisture against the wood, especially with our high humidity and rapid temperature changes in Northeast Ohio. A quality stain soaks into the wood fibers and allows the wood to breathe, which reduces peeling, cracking, and rot. On the Fence, Inc. can apply a semitransparent or solid stain that provides UV protection and water repellency. If you really prefer the look of paint, we will use the proper exterior-grade primer and paint, but we always set expectations that painted fences require more frequent maintenance here.