Are you planning on removing a chain link fence from your home or property? Many home or property projects are wide in scope, expensive, and usually require professional input. Fence removal does not have to be one of these projects. It can very much be a DIY project for home and property owners.
Chain link fence removal can be a very simple undertaking, but you want to cover your bases before moving forward with the project. Whether you want to install a different style or simply remove chain link fencing from your property, there are a few things you must do.
Step 1: Cut Wire Loops
The first step in chain link fence removal is a simple one. You’ll want to detach the fence grid from the fence posts. This point in the process of fence removal requires a pair of bolt cutters. Simply use the bolt cutters to cut the wire loops that hold the fence grid to the fence posts. Once all clips have been cut and removed, you should be able to easily remove the fence grid from the posts.
Step 2: Untwist Ties
Using a pair of pliers, grip one end of a tie and carefully twist it in the opposite direction of how it was initially twisted to secure the fence. Continue untwisting until the tie loosens and can be removed. Repeat this process for each tie along the top rail. Be sure to wear gloves to protect your hands from the sharp ends of the wire. This method efficiently detaches the chain link fabric from the top rail.
Step 3: Remove the top rail
Set aside the top rail and make sure the mesh is completely detached from it.
Step 4: Roll up the fencing
Once you’ve detached the fence mesh from the fence posts and top rail, you’re ready to roll it up. If the fence mesh is too long (over 100 feet) you can use the bolt cutters to cut it into smaller sections. This will help you more easily handle the transport.
Step 5: Loosen concrete posts
Generally, chain link fence posts are embedded in concrete for stability. If you plan to replace the fence with a different fence style, like a vinyl fence or aluminum fence, you will need to remove the chain link posts because those posts will be spaced wider than the posts for other fence styles.
It takes a little work to get chaink link fence posts out of the ground since they are embedded in concrete. A good strategy for removal is to soak the ground around the posts with a watering hose. This should make removing the posts and concrete they are embedded in easier.
Step 6: Remove posts
Concrete posts can be difficult to remove even if you have soaked the ground. You’ll want to use a shovel to excavate the concrete bases from the ground. The shovel method will be tough work and probably only possible for 4-foot chain link fences.
For posts that are taller and harder to get out of the ground, it is a good idea first to loosen them with a shovel and then use a truck and chain to pull them out of the ground. Alternatively, you can rent a post-puller from a heavy equipment supplier. When pulling out posts, be aware of where the post is going to fall and make sure you’re not anywhere near that area when they do.
Step 7: Fill Ground Back In
Use topsoil or fill dirt to fill the hole back in.
Buy your next fence from Fencing Direct!
Now that you know how to remove your old chain link fence, get in touch with Fencing Direct to order new materials for a new fence.
Learn More:
Avoid These Common DIY Fence Building Mistakes
DIY Fence Installation or Hire a Contractor?
