Not every tired fence needs to come out. Often a few new posts, some replacement boards or a properly rehung gate will buy years of additional service. 76 FENCE Main Line repairs wood, vinyl, aluminum, steel and chain link fences for homeowners and businesses across the Main Line and nearby Chester, Delaware and Montgomery County communities.
We’ll look at what’s actually wrong, explain it in plain terms, and tell you honestly whether repair or replacement is the better investment.
Common fence problems we fix
Leaning or heaved posts
Freeze-thaw cycles, shallow footings and saturated clay soil can push posts out of plumb. We reset or replace them below the frost line.
Rotted or broken boards
We replace damaged pickets, boards and rails on wood fences, matching the existing style as closely as possible.
Sagging or sticking gates
Gates take the most wear. We adjust or upgrade hinges and latches, correct sag, and reset gate posts when they’ve shifted. See gates.
Storm and impact damage
Fallen limbs, nor’easter winds, snowplows and vehicles. We replace damaged sections of vinyl, aluminum, chain link or wood.
Why fences fail in our area
Southeast Pennsylvania is tough on fences. Humid summers encourage rot and mildew on wood. Heavy spring rains saturate the ground. Then winter freezes and thaws over and over, and any post set too shallow can get lifted a little more each season.
Frost depth in our area is typically 30″–36″ (local code governs). Posts set above that line are prone to heaving, which is why a fence that looked fine for a few years can suddenly start leaning in one section. Add the clay-heavy and rocky schist soils common in the region and the roots of mature trees on older lots, and you can see why post work is the most common repair we do. Our frost line FAQ explains more.
Repair or replace? How we decide
We look at the whole fence, not just the damaged spot. Here’s the general thinking we share with customers:
- Repair usually makes sense when the damage is limited to a section or a gate, the posts are mostly sound, and the material still has plenty of life left.
- Replacement usually makes sense when rot or rust is widespread, many posts are failing at once, or repeated repairs would cost more than a new fence over time.
- Partial replacement can work when one run is failing and the rest is solid, especially with materials that are easy to match.
If replacement is the smarter move, we’ll show you options on our residential fencing page and handle tear-out and haul-away of the old fence.
Ready for a fence you'll love?
Book a free, no-pressure estimate. Zero dispatch fees — and we handle permits, HOA paperwork and the 811 call.
Matching what you already have
The goal of a good repair is that you can’t easily tell where it happened. With vinyl, aluminum and chain link, components are often standardized enough to match closely, though colors and profiles do change over the years. With wood, new boards will look brighter at first and weather in over time; staining can help them blend sooner.
If an exact match isn’t available, we’ll tell you before we start and talk through alternatives, such as replacing a full run so it looks uniform.
Fence maintenance tips between repairs
- Keep soil, mulch and leaves pulled back from the bottom of wood boards so they can dry out.
- Trim vines and shrubs that hold moisture against the fence or push on panels.
- Check gate latches and hinges each spring and tighten hardware before sag sets in.
- Seal or stain wood periodically, and rinse vinyl with a hose to keep mildew down.
- After a big storm, walk the fence line and look for leaning posts or cracked rails while the damage is still small.
Digging for a repair still requires 811
Resetting or replacing posts means digging, and Pennsylvania law requires a PA One Call (811) notice at least three business days before excavation. We submit the locate request for you. Learn more in our 811 FAQ.
Send us a few photos or schedule a quick visit. Call or text 484-779-6307 or contact us online. Estimates are free, with zero dispatch fees.