How to install chain link fence on a stepped wall

How to install chain link fence on a stepped wall, like anything else, once you now how to do it, it is easy. I am a qualified chain link fence installer, and I will guide you through how to erect your chain link fence on your walls step by step, and if you have any problems or questions, submit them in the comments box at the end of the page and I will get back to you, please leave your email address. Chain link fencing is the most common fence used throughout the world, it is low security fencing, but once erected, there are many things that you could do with the fence to make it high security fencing, see the link below for natural defences to coincide with your own chain link fence or metal fences, this will help improve the overall appearance with minimal maintenance, and will provide security, as the ideas given for this type of security was co-written by a former burglar, and who better to give advice on security than some one who spent years trying to get through it.

 There are many different types of posts for chain link fencing, the type I am going to concentrate on are the ones with holes through each post for the straining wire. ( See photo 1 ) I have found these posts one of the most user friendly types around, and very versatile.

The first thing to do, is to ensure that you have planning permission if needed, without this, the local Town Hall may make you take it all down, and there may also be height restrictions in the area. Check with the local Town Hall and also inform any neighbours of your decision for a fence to ensure that there will be no problems at a later date.

If the height of the chain link fence above the wall is to be 1m, the posts required will need to be longer. The average 1 meter high post is actually 1.3 meters long, the extra 30 cms is the part of the post that needs to be concreted into the wall or ground, leaving 1 meter above the wall. On a stepped wall, each post will be positioned at the bottom of the step, ( see photo No. 2 ) so the posts need to be longer again. If the step in the wall is 20cm, then that is the extra length needed for the post, so in effect, the post will need to be 1.5 meters in total length. Once concreted in, this will leave a 1 meter length of poston the first part of the wall, the fence when finished, will follow the contour of the wall, step for step.

There may not be a standard post to fit the stepped wall, so a longer post may have to be cut to size.

Once all holes in the wall have been made, the two end posts will need to be erected first, these are special end posts, made only to be used at the end of any kind of chain link fence. These two posts will only need to be the standard 1m high ( 1.3m actual length ). You need to first consider which side of the fence will the actual mesh be attached, and then the opposite side will have the supports on. Most chain link fences have the supports on the inside of the perimeter, as thieves may use them to stand on as leverage to climb the fence. Once this has been decided, concrete in the two end posts, do not attach the supports yet. The posts should be slightly off the centre of the wall, this is to allow a bit more room for the supports, so the posts will be closer to the side of the wall, on the side where the mesh will be.

The concrete should be a three ballast to one cement mixture, and it should also be a stiff mix. The hole for the post will need to be filled with concrete first, this will allow the concrete to enter inside the bottom of the post when the post is placed in the concrete. Once the concrete is in, push the post into it, leaving between 1cm and 2 cm gap between the top of the wall, and the bottom hole of the post. Get the post level from either side of the wall, but the post needs to lean slightly out of level away from where the fence will be, this is because when the fence is eventually tightened, it will pull the post back in to level.

Once the two end posts are in, the first step post can be erected. Start at the first and highest step on the wall. When this post is placed in the concrete, ensure it is level, then go to the end post, and by eye, look between the two end posts, the first step post needs to be in line with them, if not, go and move it slightly until it is in perfect line with the two ends posts. Once it is in line, measure the nearest end post from the top of the wall to the top of the post, if it is 1.1 meters high, then you need to adjust your first step post so that it is 1.1 meters high as well, this way, your fence will be level.

There may be a small gap between the step posts and the actual step in the wall, usually about 4cm, this is normal and will allow for the brackets to be added on. Continue this way with all the step posts, once they are done, leave the concrete to dry for a day.

Some fitters will put the supports on at they same time they put the posts in, I have found it much easier to do it later. So once the posts have been drying for a day, then you can add the supports. Bolt in the support to the second down piece of welded metal on the post, and just place the other end on the wall, this will let you know where the hole for the support to go in should be. Once the hole has been dug out, fill with concrete and place in the support. Again look down the whole line of the posts, and ensure that the support is not on the wrong side, the supports should be positioned so that they are not going to be in the way of the mesh. With the step posts, most chain link fencing contractors will put two supports on each step post, but some will only put one, it is up to the individual how many they put on. Using an end bracket, attach the support to the post, ensure that the brackets are attached to the post at least 5cm below the 1 meter height of where the mesh will be, again, check where the hole needs to be, dig it out, then concrete in. The holes for the supports should be a minimum of 10cm deep. Add on all the supports and allow the concrete to set for a minimum of four days.

Platinas are the part of the chain link fence which help pull the mesh tight and level. They are simply strips of metal which will go the length of the post. There should already be one attached to each of the end posts. You will need two of these platinas for each step post, and they will need to be 1 meter platinas. You attach these with more end brackets to each of the step posts, one either side, each of them should be on the side where the mesh will be. Start with the top bracket, the bolt will be put through from the side where the supports are, through a tensioner first, then through the bracket, then attach the nut, tightly. You then hang the platina on it, and attach the other two brackets in the same way, the loosely attach another nut onto each of the bolts, just to temporarily hold the platinas in place. The bottom of the platina should almost touch the top of the wall, and they may be known by different names in different countries.

Once the platinas are all on, how to attach the mesh is illustrated in the mesh link below, No. 4, mesh. If you have any problems with the fencing, please contact me for free help or information. The links below provide more information on erecting chain link fence for property protection and for land separation.