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Shop: Chain Link Fence
The basic reason to secure the bottom of your chain link fence is to prevent anything from pushing under the fence. Many times this is to keep a dog or livestock in, but also in sports field applications, it is to keep baseballs, softballs, and tennis balls from going under the fence and out of the area of play. In high security applications, it is to keep people from gaining access to secured areas. Whatever your reason for securing your fence, we have you covered.
Option One:
Install tension wire on the bottom of the fence line. This wire reinforces the bottom of a chain link fence and helps prevent the bottom from 'pulling' up in an animal tries to push the fabric out and away from the fence line. This wire runs between terminal posts, i.e. end post, corner post, and/or gate post is is in-between, sandwiched between the line (intermediate) posts and the chain link fabric. It does not get woven into the chain link fabric as some people think.
During a New Installation, bottom tension wire is normally stretched after the fence project is framed, meaning posts have set, top rail and/or bracing has been installed. Tension wire is stretched by simply attaching it to terminal posts by wrapping directly to the posts, or wrapping it to a nut in bolt holding a brace band in place. Chain link fence bottom tension wire is stretched using a come-a-long and cable puller, or with a T-Bar. It is stretched on the outside of the fence enclosure. Chain link fabric is then stretched afterwards.
When Retrofitting an existing chain link fence with bottom tension wire. The bottom tie wire securing the chain link fabric to the posts is normally removed and replaced later. Stretch tension wire on outside of the chain link fence, the same side of the fence that the fabric is on, opposite the posts and top rail. Once tension wire is stretched, walk along fence line and tuck the bottom tension wire under, then between the posts and the chain link fabric. Go to inside of fence, and secure tension wire to chain link fabric with steel, aluminum, or vinyl coated hog rings, normally every two feet, or closer if more strength is needed. Replace fence ties on bottom of line posts.
Read More: Installing Tension Wire.
Chain Link Tension Wire Options:
Option Two:
If you continue to have problems with your dogs 'pushing' the bottom of the fence away, stakes shaped like a horse-shoe can be made and driven to catch the bottom tension wire. We've taken chain link truss rods, cut them approximately every 18" or so and bend them in a U-shape. One or two of these stakes per space between posts should suffice.
Option Three:
Install a bottom rail. Choose a diameter and grade to match your top rail, normally 1-3/8" O.D., or 1-5/8" O.D.. This is normally sold in 21' or 24' lengths and will need cut to fit unlike the top rail which rests on top of line posts. We carry full length chain link tubing in .065 wall (16 gauge), HF20, and HF40. Vinyl Coated Framework is available in the same thicknesses/grades. Attach bottom rail to terminal posts using either end rail clamps, or rail end cups and brace bands. Bottom rail will attach to line posts with chain link line rail clamps, or boulevards as they are often called.
