Chain Link Fence Mesh Repair

Chain link mesh pulls apart from the top or bottom without cutting.

You can repair the mesh in a chain link fence in just a few minutes. Damage to a chain link fence negatively effects the structural integrity and effectiveness of the barrier. A breach in the mesh of a chain link fence may allow a pet to get loose or a small pest to pass through. The new chain-link fabric patch can be just as strong as the original mesh if you install it properly.

Things You'll Need

• Fence puller
• Ratchet set
• Pliers
• Wire cutters
• Measuring tape
• Chain link fabric
• Galvanized smooth wire (9 to 11 gauge)

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Instructions

1. Attach a fence puller to the two posts adjacent to the mesh damage. Tighten the fence puller until you have relieved the pressure from the tension bar. Remove the tension bar by loosening the bolt or bolts holding it in place.

2. Release the fence puller so it can be removed.

3. Trim away or pull apart the weave of the damaged section. Measure the size of the hole once all the damaged mesh has been removed.

4. Cut a patch section out of the chain link fabric to fit the size of the hole. Weave the edges of the patch into the remaining fence mesh using the pliers. Reinforce the attachment along the edges of the patch by twisting small pieces of strong galvanized wire onto the connections between the mesh sections.

5. Slide the tension bar into the loose edge of the chain link mesh approximately 4 feet from the end post. Reattach the fence puller to the two nearby posts and tighten it until you are able to reinstall the bolts that held the tension bar in place. Tighten the tension bar bolts until the mesh is difficult to squeeze together and overlap more than 1/4 inch.

6. Add a few wire tie supports to the top and bottom rail of the chain link fence for enhanced security. Twisting a small galvanized wire tie every foot or so keeps the mesh from sagging and pulling away.

Tips & Warnings

• Replace rusted and severely damaged chain link mesh rather than applying multiple patches. When more than one adjacent section has a major hole or damaged section it makes it difficult to do a repair properly.

• Cut wire edges are very sharp. Wear thick leather gloves of you are not experienced handling the wire to avoid injury.

References

• The Home Depot: Repairing & Maintaining Fences & Gates