How To Repair a Chain-Link Metal Fence

Inspect the pipe to find where the bend starts on either end. Cut on either side of the bend using a reciprocating saw fitted with a metal blade. Cut the fence’s pipe as squarely as possible.

Slide the tapered side of your replacement rail into the newly cut fence pipe as far as it goes without getting stuck. Use a marker to mark the new pipe where it meets the other end of the top rail. Now, take off the replacement and cut it to the marked length using a reciprocating saw.

Slide the replacement rail’s tapered side back into the existing rail. Slide the rail coupling over the non-tapered side of your replacement rail. Use an adjustable wrench to loosen the rail end connected to the post. Align it with the replacement rail and slide the coupling to connect both old and new sections. Now, you must secure it back in place. You need to tighten the rails and then re-insert the post.

Reattach your fence fabric to the repaired railing using wire ties. Twist the ties using a lineman's pliers.

Use a shovel and start digging out the old post. Dig a hole roughly 10 inches wide and about 2 to 3 feet deep. This must depend on the frost line, as you will now dig a deeper hole than the original one in the same location.

Adding a few inches of gravel to the hole enables proper drainage. Now, place the new post in the hole. Use a level to check for plumb and ensure it is straight. Continue by pouring the concrete mix into the hole and filling it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Leave the post to set and allow it to harden completely.

Reattach the rails and rail end brackets once the concrete mix is completely dry. Then, loosely hang the fence from the rails using wire ties. Reattach the tension bars and pull the fence fabric tightly towards the new post. Secure the fence in place using tension bands. Continue to secure the wire ties permanently, and cut the new post to the appropriate height using a reciprocating saw. Finally, cap it off using a post cap.

Use the damaged fabric as a guide to measure the replacement one. Remember to keep the replacement fabric about 1 to 2 links longer than the old one. Now, remove this section from the fencing roll. For this, straighten the bottom hook and unweave the replacement to remove it from the roll.

Hang the new chain-link fence fabric from the top rail using wire ties. Keep the ties loose, as they are temporary. Align the replacement fabric with the old one. Weave them together using a previously removed wire. Twist the wire at the bottom and close the hook at the top. Stretch the fence fabric as much as possible. Repeat on the other side. Once woven, secure the fabric to the top rails permanently and remove the extra wire ties.