Straight Line Fencing - Gilroy's Expert Privacy Fence Installation

The primary cause is our coastal-influenced fog and moisture combined with the alkaline soil found around Gilroy. This environment attacks the zinc coating on standard galvanized chain link. The telltale sign is reddish-brown rust appearing on the mesh or posts, often near the ground. As a solution, Straight Line Fencing recommends upgrading to a thicker, vinyl-coated chain link (like black or green) or replacing the affected sections with a heavy-duty galvanized fabric that has an additional polymer coating. We also treat and seal the post bases to prevent corrosion from returning.

That's a common problem in Gilroy due to our expansive clay soils. When these soils get wet, they swell, and when they dry out, they shrink. This constant movement can loosen the soil around fence posts that were set with standard gravel or shallow concrete. The sign of this issue is posts that tilt or have a gap around the base. Our solution is to remove the affected posts and pour a deep, bell-bottom concrete footing that extends below the frost line and the active soil zone. This anchors the post against the soil's natural movement, keeping your fence line straight.

Gates facing busy streets or exposed to wind, like those near Monterey Highway, are prone to sagging if the posts aren't adequate. We solve this by using a heavier-gauge post on the hinge side—often a 2-3/8-inch or larger schedule 40 pipe—set in a deep, reinforced concrete footing. We also install adjustable gate hinges and a truss rod system that allows for fine-tuning over time. This prevents the gate from dragging and ensures it remains level for years, despite the soil shifting under our Gilroy climate.