Creating Safer Areas For Your Family

One of the biggest problems with chain link fencing is keeping it stretched and taut. A loose fence is easily pushed down or lifted. This will allow people or animal to get over the top or slip under the bottom, basically rendering the fencing useless. To ensure that everything stays safe in your yard, here are a few tips to make your fence as strong and secure as possible.

Use a Fence Stretcher

A fence stretcher may not look like much; it is a couple of metal bars that clamp around the fencing so you can pull with a winch or come-along until it is tight. Trying to pull the fence with your hands will never get it taut. It may appear nice and tight, but within a short amount of time, it will be wavy or sagging.

Have a Top Rail

Some people put up the fence and feel it is good enough without a top rail. No matter how taut you get the fencing, you are going to need a top rail. People, pets, and toys and such can accidentally be pushed, fall, or blown into the fence. This can stretch it and make it loose. However, a top rail will help absorb the force and keep the fencing intact. Be sure to use plenty of ties to hold the fence to the rail and that the caps on the poles hold the rail securely without swiveling up or down.

 Don't forget the Tension Wire

To keep the bottom secure so it cannot be pushed up, use a tension wire. This is a strong cable you weave in and out of the bottom of the fence. Make sure the fencing comes all the way to the ground. Use the winch or come-along again to pull the tension wire taut.

Cement the Posts

It is important to cement each post into the ground. However, the cement should not fill the post hole to the top. Fill the top 3 or 4 inches with dirt. This will keep the ground level and prevent the cement and pole from popping up.

Chain link fencing is a good way of protecting your yard. The openings in the wire are too small for things to fit through and allow you to see what is happening on the other side without having to open a gate. However, if not properly installed, it will not serve its purpose very long. In addition, when done right, a chain link fence looks good, when not done right, it just looks shabby an makes your whole property look that way. To learn more, contact a fencing company like F & W Fence Company, Inc.