Chain link fencing has always been extremely popular due to its low price and durability. Chain link can stand up to a lot of punishment and still look good but that doesn’t mean that it is indestructible. Over time kids will climb on it, pets will run into it, wind will push it and limbs can fall on it along with a myriad of other factors that bend the mesh out of shape. This not only looks bad but it weakens the overall strength of the fencing. Luckily, the repair process is fairly simple.
Before you start your repairs you will need bolt cutters, a pair of pliers, replacement wire mesh and a new top rail. Once you have everything together, just follow these steps:
To replace the top rail you will first need to pry loose the ends of the wire fence ties securing the rail to the mesh. After that you will need to remove the ties from the support posts in the area that you will be replacing the rail or mesh.- Since the top rail is bolted to its terminal posts, you will have to use the pliers or a socket wrench to remove the bolts. Once that is done, remove the rail ends from their brackets. Then remove the rail ends from the damaged top rail. Check the terminal posts to make sure they are aligned and undamaged.
- Put the rail ends that you removed from the damaged rail onto the new replacement. Place the ends back into the brackets and bolt them into position.
- To replace the mesh, you will need to go about two links to the left and right of where the bend is in the fence mesh. Take out the loose inner links from each of these places to remove the damage section of mesh.
- Measure and cut a new section of mesh to act as a replacement piece. Align the new piece along the left side and weave the links back together, then do the same for the right side. Once it fits nicely back into place you can bend the ends of the chain link to secure it and finish the repair.
- All that is left now is to securely reattach the mesh to the posts and top rail using fence ties from step one.












