Quick answers to the questions homeowners in Sacramento, Elk Grove, Roseville, Folsom and the towns around them ask us most. The longer guides on cost, permits, repairs and neighbors are linked below.
How deep should fence posts be set?
As deep as the fence height, the wind and the soil call for. There is no frost line to worry about in Sacramento. A common rule of thumb puts about a third of the post in the ground. We go deeper for gate posts, for 6-foot solid fences on open lots that catch storm wind, and in soft clay near the rivers.
Should posts be set in concrete, gravel or foam?
Concrete for nearly every post, and always for gates, corners and privacy fence. Much of our soil drains badly, whether it is clay or sits on hardpan, so we put gravel at the bottom of the hole and shape the top of the concrete to shed water away from the wood. Foam sets fast and is light to carry. We do not trust it under a gate or a tall solid fence.
How long should I wait before staining a new wood fence?
Wait until the wood will absorb it. Flick some water on a board. If it soaks in after a few minutes, the fence is ready. If it sits in beads, give it more time. In a Sacramento summer new redwood or cedar can dry in a few weeks, and treated posts take longer. Stain early in the morning. On a hot afternoon the surface of the board is too hot and the stain dries before it soaks in.
How much does it cost to stain or seal a fence?
It is priced by the job. Square footage, one side or two, and the condition of the wood set the number. We can show it as its own line on your estimate.
Can I use deck screws to fix loose pickets?
Yes, provided they are coated for outdoor use or stainless. Ordinary steel screws leave black streaks on redwood and cedar and rust through. Stainless or hot-dip galvanized fasteners do neither.
Can a faded vinyl fence be painted?
Yes, with paint made for vinyl. Stay with light colors. A dark coat takes in more heat, and through a Sacramento summer that can warp a panel. Clean the fence first, because a good wash often removes most of the chalky, faded look.
I want a double gate for an RV or trailer but my posts are weak. Reinforce or rebuild?
Rebuild them. A double gate wide enough for an RV or trailer is heavy, and ordinary fence posts cannot keep it square. It needs large posts, often steel, in deep concrete. We set new gate posts and rebuild the short run of fence on each side to tie in.
Do termites or carpenter ants damage fences here?
They can. Subterranean termites live in the soil across the valley and will eat fence posts and boards that touch the ground. Pressure-treated posts resist them, and so does redwood heartwood to a degree. Keeping boards a couple of inches above the soil and keeping mulch away from the fence helps more than anything.
Does a new fence raise my property taxes?
The Sacramento County Assessor's Office decides that, since it determines what is assessable new construction. In Roseville and Rocklin it is the Placer County Assessor, and in Davis and West Sacramento the Yolo County Assessor. A fence is a minor item beside the house.
A real price needs a tape measure on your fence line. The visit costs nothing and the quote comes in writing. Call (916) 890-2911 or text us a photo of the fence.