How to Set-up a Chain Link Fence Yourself

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Learn to enclose your land with a chain-link fence

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Preparation

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Terminal Posts

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Line Posts

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Bands & Caps

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Top Rail

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Fence Mesh

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Chain-Link

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Q&A

If you need to enclose a piece of land, then a chain-link fence might be the answer. A chain-link fence is an inexpensive way to enclose any sized area for safety or security. Unlike solid fencing, chain-link's open weave design lets people see through the fence, while still serving as a barrier to unauthorized entry. With planning, patience, and a bit of elbow-grease, you can install a chain link fence yourself.

Things You Should Know

Mark and install post holes and line posts. Then, add bands and caps to the posts.
Install the top rail by feeding the rails through the loop caps. Then, insert the rail ends into the terminal rail caps and tighten the nuts and bolts.
Slide a tension bar through the starting end of the mesh fencing and bolt 1 end to the terminal posts’ bands. Then, unroll, stretch, and attach the remaining mesh to your posts.

Part 1

Part 1 of 7:

Preparing to Install the Fence

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Your local government may have building and zoning regulations that regulate fence setbacks, type, and height. If you install a fence without a permit, they may tear down the structure.
This information can be obtained from city records, a realtor's line plot map, or by hiring a surveyor.^{[1]XResearch source}
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3
Find out where your utility lines are. Have your utility companies mark the location of your utility lines. You don't want to accidentally hit them while digging post holes.^{[2]XResearch source}
- You can call 811 from anywhere in the US. Your local utility companies will then send an employee to mark your utility lines for free.
Some neighborhood associations have their own rules regarding height and style, additional to the rules enforced by your town.

Part 2

Part 2 of 7:

Marking and Installing Terminal Posts

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For your post holes, measure approximately 4 inches (10.2 cm) inside those lines. This prevents the concrete footings from encroaching onto your neighbor's property. Clear the working space along the entire length of the property line to make it easier to move a wheelbarrow, as well as for rolling out the fence for installation.^{[3]XResearch source}
This determines how many feet of chain-link mesh and the amount of hardware you'll need. Consult your local retailer for post spacing guidelines to determine the number of posts you'll need.^{[4]XResearch source}
3
Find each terminal post location. Mark the exact spot with a stake or spray paint. A terminal post refers to any end, corner or gate posts.^{[5]XResearch source}
- Spray paint works best as stakes will create a possible tripping hazard and can cause injury.
Post holes should be dug 3 times the width and one-third the length of the post, with an extra 4 inches (10.2 cm) for gravel. Slope the sides so that the hole is wider at the bottom than at the top.^{[6]XResearch source}
Tamp down the gravel to provide a compact foundation for the posts and concrete.^{[7]XResearch source}
Mark the side of the post at ground level using a marker or chalk. The height above the line should equal the height of the fence mesh, plus 2 inches (5.1 cm).^{[8]XResearch source}
Plumbing a post helps keep your fence looking straight. Using a carpenter's level or plumb line to check the balance, position the post until its plumb.^{[9]XResearch source}
Using clamps and pieces of 1" x 4" x 4' to 6' long lumber angled on two sides, brace the post in its plumb position by using wooden stakes driven into ground and screws. Double check all measurements, post spacing, and height one last time before securing it to the bracing material because you do not want it to be even slightly out of alignment when the concrete hardens.^{[10]XResearch source}
Pour or shovel concrete around the post. Smooth the surface with a trowel or small piece of wood, sloping away from the post to direct water elsewhere.^{[11]XResearch source}
Allow time for the concrete to set, according to manufacturer's recommendations. Allow at least 24 hours at minimum before putting tension on posts.^{[12]XResearch source}

Part 3

Part 3 of 7:

Marking and Installing Your Line Posts

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The string should be taut, low to the ground, and positioned on the outside face of the terminal posts.^{[13]XResearch source}
Using a post spacing chart, measure and mark the exact spot with a stake or spray paint.
Line post holes should be 6 inches (15.2 cm) wide and 18 inches (45.7 cm) to 24 inches (61.0 cm) deep, with sloping sides. Right before installing line posts, you can run a second, very tight line from terminal posts to set the height of line posts, but always re-check all measurements before final bracing.^{[14]XResearch source}
Pat down the gravel to provide a compact foundation for the posts and concrete.^{[15]XResearch source}
Use a marker or chalk to mark the side of the post at ground level. The height above the line should equal the height of the fence mesh, plus 2 inches (5.1 cm).^{[16]XResearch source}
Go around the post with your carpenter's level or plumb line, checking to see if the post is balanced. Continue moving the post until it's plumb.^{[17]XResearch source}
Add clamps and long pieces of lumber that are angled on two sides to hold the post in its plumb position. Use wooden stakes in the ground as well as screws to brace the post. Before securing the post, double check that it's straight.^{[18]XResearch source}
Smooth over the surface of the concrete with a trowel or small piece of wood. Create a slope in your concrete so that water will slide down away from your fence post.^{[19]XResearch source}
Allow time for the concrete to set, according to manufacturer's recommendations. Allow at least 24 hours at minimum before putting tension on posts.^{[20]XResearch source}

Part 4

Part 4 of 7:

Add Bands and Caps to the Posts

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1
Slide tension bands onto each post. Tension bands secure the chain-link mesh to the posts. Use one less tension band than the height of the fence, in feet. For example, if the fence is 4-feet high, use 3 tension bands per post. For a 6-foot fence, use 5 bands, and so on.^{[21]XResearch source}
- The long, flat surface of the tension band should face toward the outside of the fence.
Terminal posts get end caps. Line posts get looped caps (for the top rail.)
Leave some slack for adjustments.^{[22]XResearch source}

Part 5

Part 5 of 7:

Install the Top Rail

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Cut off excess length with a pipe cutter or hacksaw. If the rails are too short, create longer runs by using rails with male-female coupling ends.^{[23]XResearch source}
You may need to adjust the height of the rail caps to allow for the height of the chain link mesh, plus a 2 inch (5.1 cm) clearance at the bottom.^{[24]XResearch source}
After checking your top rails and caps for proper fit and alignment, tighten all the hardware.^{[25]XResearch source}
Fill the line post holes with dirt, packing the dirt firmly around the holes.^{[26]XResearch source}

Part 6

Part 6 of 7:

Hang the Fence Mesh

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This will stiffen the mesh so that you can attach it to the fence posts and rails.^{[27]XResearch source}
2
Bolt the tension bar to one of the terminal posts' tension bands. The mesh should overlap the rail by 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) and be 2 inches (5.1 cm) off the ground.^{[28]XResearch source}
- You'll need someone to help you stand the mesh up to the end post and a socket wrench to turn the bolt.
Stand it up against the fence frame, taking out the slack as you go.^{[29]XResearch source}
Use fence ties to hold it in place. Separate enough length from the roll to span the opening between the terminal posts.^{[30]XResearch source}
Using a single strand of wire removed from one end of the mesh, join two sections by corkscrewing the loose strand through the end links. A second strand may have to be removed to provide the correct line-up of "diamonds."^{[31]XResearch source}
Using pliers, untwist the top and bottom loops on one strand of wire where you want to separate the mesh. Work the freed strand out of the links until the two sections separate.^{[32]XResearch source}

Part 7

Part 7 of 7:

Stretching the Chain-link

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1
Pull the mesh taut with a fence puller. The stretching is necessary so the fence doesn't sag. Thread the fence puller's bar into an unattached section of mesh, a short distance from the far end post.^{[33]XResearch source}
- Attach the fence puller's yoke to the pull bar and connect the other end of the puller to the far end post.
- Stretch the mesh with the fence puller until the mesh loops move less than a quarter-inch when squeezed by hand.
- If the mesh gets pulled out of shape during the tightening process, pull on it to reshape it.
Run a second tension bar through the end of the mesh near the fence puller. This will permit attaching the stretched mesh to the far end post's tension bands.Thread the fence puller's bar into an unattached section of mesh, a short distance from the far end post.^{[34]XResearch source}
Terminate the mesh with a tension bar on the far end post's tension bands. Remove any new excess produced by stretching.^{[35]XResearch source}
Space your ties 24 inches (61.0 cm) apart along the top rail and 12 inches (30.5 cm) apart on each line post.^{[36]XResearch source}
5
Add tension wire (optional). Thread tension wire through the bottom mesh loops. Tighten the tension wire around the end posts. Draw the wire tight and wrap it around itself next to the posts.^{[37]XResearch source}
- Adding tension wire prevents animals from pushing in under the fence.

Community Q&A

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Question
The contour of my yard changes between line posts. How do I bend the top rail to accommodate the slope?
Community Answer
I had to do this once so I parked my truck on top of the rail at the point where the bend needed to start. Then I lifted the other end so it bent.
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Question
How often should I put in a line post?
Community Answer
Determine the actual distance of the section and then divide the distance by 10. Round your answer down to the next whole number - this is the required number of line posts. For example, if you had a fence that was 55' long, the formula would be: 55' ÷ 10 = 5.5. Round down to five, and you see that you would need five line posts for this section. If you place five line posts in between two terminal posts, it will yield six sections of fence. To determine the proper, equidistant spacing of line posts, divide the number of sections into the total distance.
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Question
If there is a wire between posts along the bottom of a chain link fence, is this the tension wire?
Community Answer
Yes. That is the tension wire. The wire is simply to prevent the fencing from being pushed outward (or inward).
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Tips

Chain-link fence can also be attached to wooden posts and rails. In those cases, no end caps, loop caps or rail caps are used.
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If the ground slopes up or down at your gate's location, set the gate posts to follow the grade.
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To provide privacy with a chain link fence, thread thin, flexible wooden or plastic slats diagonally through the mesh. Privacy slats are available in a variety of colors at most hardware stores and home centers.
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Warnings

For security reasons, install all nuts on the inside of the fence. This make them more difficult to remove from the outside.
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Dig all post holes near the home or building by hand. Unmarked pipes and other lines may be located near the foundation.
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Be sure once the bracing is in place the posts and bracing do not get bumped, which could cause the post to move before the concrete has set.
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Things You'll Need

Rolls of chain link mesh fabric (sold in rolls of 50 feet)
Metal top rail, line posts and terminal posts (may substitute wooden posts and rails)
Post, rail and end caps (if using metal posts and rail)
Tension bars and bands
Fence stretcher
Brace bands
Fence ties
Fence gates, hinges and hinge bolts (if installing a gate)
Wire cutters
Post hole digger or power auger
Clamps and lumber
Pipe cutter or hacksaw (for metal pipes) or saw (wooden posts)
Rubber mallet
Socket wrench
Wheelbarrow or small cement mixer
Concrete
Shovel and hoe
Tape measure
Carpenter's level or plumb bob
Stakes or spray paint
String line
Water hose with a shut off nozzle at work site
Gloves
Safety glasses
Screws for bracing
Drill with a bit for the screws
12" wooden stakes
Small sledgehammer