Short answers to the questions we hear most from homeowners in Modesto and the towns around it. Our longer guides on cost, permits, repairs and neighbors are linked at the foot of the page.
How deep should fence posts be set?
As deep as the fence height and the soil call for. There is no frost line to clear in Modesto. A common rule of thumb is about one third of the post length below ground, with more for gate posts and tall solid fences that take wind. Where hardpan is close to the surface, we break through it for those posts instead of stopping on top of it.
Should posts be set in concrete, gravel or foam?
Concrete for gate posts, corners, ends and any solid privacy fence. A few inches of gravel at the bottom of the hole helps where clay or hardpan traps water, and the top of the concrete should be shaped to shed water away from the post. Foam is fast and light, but we would not rely on it for a gate or a 6-foot solid fence in wind.
How long should I wait before staining a new wood fence?
Until the wood is dry enough to take it. Sprinkle water on a board: if it soaks in, stain it, and if it beads, wait. In a Modesto summer new boards dry fast, sometimes in a few weeks, though pressure-treated posts take longer. In the foggy months drying is slow. Stain in the morning or evening in summer, not on boards that are hot to the touch.
How much does it cost to stain or seal a fence?
It is priced by the square footage and the condition of the wood, so we do not quote a flat figure. Ask for it as a separate line with your fence estimate. In this sun, sealing is the cheapest thing you can do to slow cracking and graying.
Can I use deck screws to fix loose pickets?
Yes, provided they are rated for exterior use. Coated or stainless screws hold better than nails in boards that shrink and swell with the seasons. With redwood or cedar, use stainless or hot-dip galvanized fasteners, because plain steel leaves black stains on those woods.
Can a faded vinyl fence be painted?
It can, using paint made for vinyl. Stay with light colors. A dark color absorbs heat, and in a valley summer that can warp a panel. Wash the fence first to see how much of the dullness is only dust and hard-water spotting from sprinklers.
I want a double gate for an RV or trailer but my posts are weak. Reinforce or rebuild?
Rebuild the gate posts. A wide double gate is heavy and needs its own large posts set deep in concrete, often steel. Standard fence posts will sag under it. We set new gate posts and rebuild the short fence sections beside them.
Will sprinklers and irrigation water damage my fence?
Over time, yes. Daily spray rots the bottom of wood boards, leaves hard-water stains on vinyl and rusts plain steel hardware. Aim spray heads away from the fence, keep soil and bark from piling against the boards, and leave a small gap between the boards and the ground.
Does a new fence raise my property taxes?
That is a question for the Stanislaus County Assessor's Office, which decides what is assessed as new construction. Next to the house itself, a fence is a small item.
We can only give a real number after seeing the fence line. The estimate is free. Call (209) 231-7679 or text us a photo of the yard.