Chain Link Fence Installation Instructions

Chain link fencing is durable, strong. It helps you keep track of your children and pets and adds security if you have a backyard pool or hot tub that you don't want the neighboring children to wander into. The fence is not hard to install, but takes a little muscle and time. You might want to invite a friend over to help you on a nice, dry weekend.

Things You'll Need

• Stakes and string Hammer Fence fabric Fence posts Fence hardware Gate Gate hardware Post hole digger Cement Gravel Shovel Trowel Screwdriver Fence stretcher

Instructions

1. Check with the local zoning and building office to see if you need a permit to install fencing. Check with utility companies if you have any underground utilities before you start to dig, and get a copy of your property survey to locate your boundary lines.

2. Set the ends and corners. Place stakes starting at the ends, such as next to your house, and run them just past where you want your corners. Hook strings to each stake; where they cross will be the exact place to set the corner posts.

3. Dig holes for the terminal posts about 8 inches around and 30 inches deep. Dig the bottom of the hole wider than the top to anchor the cement into the ground. Measure down the post the length of your fence fabric and add 2 inches. Mark with a crayon. That will be the ground level of your post.

4. Place the post in the hole. If it goes in past your crayon mark, fill with a gravel until the mark is at ground level. Fill the hole with cement and check the post for level and plumb. Overfill the hole a bit and trowel the cement sloping down to direct water away from the post.

5. Run a string between the terminal posts. Place the string 4 inches from the top of the terminal post on the outside and run it to the next terminal post. Repeat between all ends and corners. This will mark the top of the line posts.

6. Measure for the line posts. The distance between your line posts will be determined by the distance between your terminal posts. (See measuring chart in resources below.) Mark the spots to install line posts with a stake.

7. Dig the holes for the line posts 6 inches around and 18 to 24 inches deep depending on the size of your posts. Dig the bottom of the hole wider than the top to anchor the cement in the ground. Center the posts and pour the concrete, checking for level and plumb. The top of the post should be right at your string. Overfill the hole and trowel the cement sloping down to direct water away from the post.

8. Add rail end bands and tension bands to the terminal posts. The long, flat part of the tension band should be toward the outside of the fence. The number of bands to use will be determined by the height of your fence. (See Quantity to Use Chart below.) Install the terminal post caps.

9. Put the line post tops on the line posts with the round parts toward the outside. Insert the top rail through the post top closest to the terminal post and slide through. Attach to the terminal posts with the rail end band and secure with bolt. Continue adding top rail to the next terminal post and secure. If the top rail is too long, cut with a hack saw to the correct length. Repeat until all the top rail is installed.

10. Lay the chain link fabric on the ground between terminal posts. At the first end, place a tension bar from the top to bottom on the first row. Attach the tension bands, spaced evenly, to the tension bar/fence. Pull the remaining fence fabric as tight as you can along the fence line using fence ties to hold it temporarily to the top rail. Go to next terminal post with the fabric.

11. Add a tension bar about 3 feet from the ending terminal post and attach the fence stretcher. Pull the fence fabric until it is tight but still has a little give to it. While the fence stretcher is holding the fabric, add a tension bar to the where the end of the fabric will be attached to the post and separate fabric. You can do this by untwisting a wire at the top and bottom and unscrew it from the fabric. Attach the tension bar/fence to the new terminal post. Release the fence stretcher. Repeat until all the fabric is installed.

12. Fasten the fabric to the top rails with fence ties every 24 inches. Then go down each line post with the ties every 12 inches.

13. Install the gate post hinges to the gate posts 8 inches from the top and bottom. Point top hinge pin down and bottom hinge pin up. Install the gate frame hinges to the gate frame but don't tighten the bolts too tight yet. Hang the gate and tighten the bottom hinge first and then the top. The gate should be about 2 inches from the ground. Install the gate fork latch and go back over all hinges and latch to make sure all bolts are tight.

Resources

• Line post spacing chart
• Quantity to use chart