How to fix or repair a Chain Link Fence, Repairing Chainlink Fences

Problems with chain link fence are very common, but are easy to fix with a little bit of know-how. Here are some of the main problems with the chain link fence, and how to fix them yourself, written by a qualified chain link fence installer. If you have any problems with your fence, you can contact me using the comments capsule at the bottom of the page, I will get back to you with a solution to your problem, no charge.

End posts leaning inwards

Very common problem, nearly all end or corner posts tend to lean inwards after installation, it usually means that the tension is to tight. You need to undo the fence about two meters from the end post.You do this by cutting the straining wire, which are the three or four long wires horizontally placed at the top middle and bottom of the posts. Once these are cut, the fence will fall away to the next post.

Dig out the end leaning post and support, if the post has not rusted at the bottom, chip away the old concrete, you can use this post again, if the post has rusted, you may need to get a new one. Once all the concrete has been removed, re-dig the post hole in the same place, just make it bigger, and the do the same for the support hole. Then concrete in again, but, lean the post outwards, so when you eventually tighten the post, it will pull it back into line. Put the support back in the same place with concrete and allow to dry for at least four days.

Once the concrete has set, you can either replace the straining wire from the nearest post with tensioners on, or you can simply attach another piece of wire to the long pieces that you originally cut. This is to allow the straining wire to reach the end post, then attach to tensioners and tighten, only tighten enough for the wire to be slightly tight. Now pull the fence itself back to the end post, as tight as possible, if it does not reach, you may need to add a couple of links. If you are using a pletina, which is a thin strip of metal that down goes from the top to the bottom of the fence on the last link, then re-insert into the fence, once you have pulled it tight, right where the last link will be at the end post. Bolt into place and tighten the tensioners only a quarter of a turn each.

Leaning End Post by a Solid Wall

Easily done, remove the fence, by cutting the straining wires at the top, middle and bottom, pull the fence back leaving the end post clear, cut off end post and support as close to the ground as possible, remove the post and support. Refit the end post by attaching three brackets to the post and bolt into the wall using size 12 wall plugs and bolts, the post will stay in place for many years. Either replace straining wires, or add a piece onto each wire just to allow it to reach the end post, then attach again to tensioners, tighten only so the wire is slightly taut, re-attach fence, although you may need to add a few extra links, then tighten tensioners and your fence should be complete. Fixing a chain link fence is easy when you know how.

One Post Has Come Loose

If one post is loose, then it is easiest if you underpin it, simply dig around the existing concrete under the post, ensure at least 8-10 cm gap has been dug out all around the old concrete and underneath, this will cause the post to move and fall more, but don't worry. Mix a concrete mixture of about 3 to 1, slightly runny, and lift the post out of the ground and pour a little concrete into the hole. Rest the post onto the wet concrete to check for height, if you are happy with the height of the post, fill in around the post check for the levelness of the post and leave to set, you may need to place one or two struts just to hold the post whilst the concrete sets. The alternative is to dig away the soil around the post, then chip the concrete away from the bottom of the post, still leaving the fence attached. Once the post is free of concrete, mix more concrete and simple fill in the hole with the post already in position.

The Mesh Has Been Broken

The only way to sort this out is to replace the section that has been destroyed, you could just attach a piece of mesh over it, but it will look very messy. To replace the piece of mesh, undo one link on either side of the hole all the way from the top to the bottom, you do this by literally unscrewing one link, you cannot just get a small piece to fix the hole, you need a complete piece whether it is 1m, 1.5m 2m high ( standard sizes ) Get the replacement piece and re-thread one end onto the existing fence, then pull the fence tight. Then re-thread the other end and tighten up. It is difficult to explain something which is actually simple once you have done it a few times, but if you do have problems, use the comments capsule below to contact me and I will get back to you with a solution to your problem. This is the usual way to mend chain link fence that is broken.