Fence and gate repair

Why gates sag

A wood gate is a rectangle hanging off one side, and gravity pulls the far corner down. Over time screws loosen in the post, the hinge side post leans, and the gate drags on the ground or misses the latch. Fixing a sagging gate usually comes down to three things: a diagonal brace or anti-sag kit to keep the frame square, hinges with longer screws into solid wood, and a post that stands straight.

Gate fixes

• Add or reset a diagonal brace running from the bottom hinge corner up to the top latch corner.
• Install a turnbuckle anti-sag cable on gates with no room for a brace.
• Replace worn hinges with heavier strap hinges.
• Swap a latch that will not catch, or add a self-closing hinge and a gravity latch for pool and yard gates.
• Trim the bottom if the ground has risen.

Fence boards and rails

Most wood fences in the valley are redwood or cedar boards nailed to two or three horizontal rails between posts. Boards split, warp and get kicked out; rails rot where they meet the post. We replace boards to match the width and height, replace rails and fasten them with screws or rail brackets, and re-nail loose sections.

New wood will look brighter than the weathered fence for a season or two, then darkens. A stain can blend it sooner.

Posts

A leaning post is where many fence problems start. If the post is solid and only the concrete footing has shifted, a steel post repair spike driven next to it can stiffen the line.

If the post has rotted at the ground line, it needs to come out and be replaced and set in fresh concrete. Long runs of rotted posts, block walls, and anything on a slope that holds back soil are outside our scope.

Shared fences

Many side and back fences sit on the property line and belong to both neighbors. California Civil Code section 841 sets out that neighbors share responsibility for a boundary fence. We recommend talking with your neighbor before a repair on a shared fence. We do not take sides; we fix the fence.

Pool gates

Gates into a pool area should close and latch on their own. If yours swings open or needs a push, it is worth fixing soon. We adjust or replace self-closing hinges and set the latch so it catches every time.

What to send

A photo of the whole gate or fence section, a close photo of the hinges or the post base, and the gate width are enough for most quotes.

Wind damage

Santa Ana winds push hard on solid fences and can snap rails or tip weak posts. After a windy week, we often see sections hanging from one post. Getting the section back up quickly keeps pets in and keeps the rest of the line from pulling over.

Gate hardware choices

Heavy strap hinges suit wide wood gates. Self-closing spring hinges keep pool and side gates shut. Gravity latches close on their own and can take a padlock.

A latch that opens from both sides helps when you are carrying trash cans out to the curb. We help you choose for how you use the gate.

Keeping wood fences longer

Keep sprinklers off the boards, keep soil and mulch away from the bottom of the fence, and trim vines that hold moisture against the wood. A clear sealer or stain every few years slows graying and cracking.

Wide driveway gates

Double driveway gates sag twice as fast because each leaf is long and heavy. A cane bolt dropping into the driveway holds one leaf still while the other latches to it. We set the drop rod and the hole so the gates meet evenly.

Good-neighbor fences

Many fences have the finished side facing the neighbor and the rails on your side. When replacing boards, we keep the same orientation so both sides look the same as before. If your neighbor wants to share the cost, we can give you a written quote to show them.

Termites in fence posts

Termites go for wood that touches soil. If we see mud tubes on a post or tunneled wood at the base, we stop and show you what we found before replacing the post, so the new one is not the next meal.

Vinyl fences

Vinyl fence panels can sometimes be swapped if the maker still sells the profile. Cracked vinyl rails can be replaced. Old vinyl yellows, so new pieces may not match exactly.

Materials we bring

We carry common redwood and cedar board sizes, rail brackets, gate hinges, latches and anti-sag kits, which covers many gate and board repairs. Odd sizes, tall privacy boards or a full run of posts mean a supply run first, and we tell you when that is the case so the timing is clear.

Clearing the line first

Ivy, bougainvillea and other vines grow through fences and hide damage. Before repairs we cut back growth along the section we are working on so we can see every rail and post. Thorny vines are trimmed carefully and the cuttings bagged. Let us know which plants you want kept.