Chain Link Fence Maintenance Checklist
Chain link fence is known for its durability. A good quality chain link fence will last many years, particularly if you don’t live or work in a corrosive environment.
But even chain link fence needs maintenance, so we’ve put together a chain link fence maintenance checklist and information, so you can check on your fence and get fence repairs if needed.
1. Check Your Posts
The first thing you should check as you walk your fence line is your fence posts. Of course, some might be visibly bent, but you also need to put a hand on each post and give it a gentle push. If your post has broken or rusted off at the top of the concrete, you might not see it unless you do this.
2. Check Your Post Caps
If you live in a place where winters mean freezing, then post caps are important to ensure that your posts don’t split when the water inside them freezes and expands.
Water in posts can also cause early corrosion, even in places where it doesn’t freeze in winter. So, make sure your caps are there, in place, and not cracked or damaged.
3. Check Rails and Straining Wires
Some fences have horizontal tubing rails, others have straining wires, and some have both. All of these should be undamaged, unbroken and in place. Check any fittings that are used to attach the rails and wires too. If they’re rusted or damaged, they may need to be replaced.
4. Inspect Ties and Hog Rings
There are various types of tie wires, hog rings and even clips that are used to keep mesh in place, attaching it to wires, rails and line posts. These should usually be in place about every foot to 1" or about 300 to 450mm.
If ties or hog rings are missing or damaged, you may need to add more to keep your fence secure.
5. Check All Your Bolts and Nuts
Bolts and nuts are always one of the most vulnerable parts of any fence, and they’re usually one of the first things anyone looking to get through your fence will tamper with.
Check that all your bolts and nuts are in place and tightened and that they’re not corroded or damaged. If you find that your fence fasteners are tampered with regularly, you could consider damaging the thread to make it harder to tamper with or replace them with shear-off nuts or another more secure option.
6. Check Your Mesh
Next up on your chain link fence maintenance inspection checklist is the mesh itself.
Look for bulges in the mesh, areas where the mesh has been lifted off the ground, holes in the mesh or signs of corrosion or damage. Fortunately, chain link fence is fairly easy to replace if you need to have a section fixed, but if you find that your fence is being tampered with frequently, you might need to consider a higher security mesh option.
7. Barbed or Razor wire
If your fence has barbed wire or razor wire on an extension, look at it carefully, and make sure it’s properly connected and tensioned. Not only is loose barbed wire or razor wire a security risk if a section drops down, but it could also be dangerous to passing people and animals.
8. Check Your Gates
Finally, when you walk around your fence line, check any gates along the way.
Look for gates that are sagging or latches that are damaged or look like they’ve been tampered with. Make sure gates are properly covered with mesh and that there are no holes in the mesh fabric.
Take Pictures and Make Notes
If you plan to do your own chain link fence maintenance checks, you probably want to take pictures of any potential problems and make notes because you will probably need to get a quote for repairs if necessary.
Some fence companies also offer chain link fence maintenance services, and they might also offer to do the walk-around for you. Some companies even have maintenance contracts available for many different types of fence, so you never have to worry about keeping your fence in good shape again! Be sure to choose a reputable company that you trust, though, and try to negotiate all repair rates before you agree to anything.
