How to Fix a Chain Link Fence That Is Curling Up
Chain link fences are very popular, and they’re usually a fairly durable fence choice. However, because of the design and materials used for chain link fence, which includes woven wire fabric, there are some specific maintenance challenges.
If your chain link fence looks like the one in the picture and you’re wondering how to fix a chain link fence that is curling up, you’ll find a few suggestions here.
What Causes Chain Link Fence to Curl Up?
Before we examine how to fix a chain link fence that is curling up, it’s a good idea to understand why this happens.
There are actually a few reasons why chain link fences curl up. The first one is that the fence has been stretched. This might happen in snowy areas, where heavy snow build-up along the fence causes the problem, or with mud or dead leaves in warmer climates.
Another reason why chain link fences might curl up is that people or animals are pushing their way through under the fence.
Either way, the cause of chain link fence curling up is that there is abnormal pressure on the fence.
Best Options How to Fix a Chain Link Fence That Is Curling Up
The good news is that while there are several reasons why your chain link fence is curling up at the bottom, there are also several solutions.
1. Replace the Bottom wire
The most common reason your chain link fence is curling up at the bottom is that the bottom wire has stretched or possibly even snapped.
Replacing your bottom wire and tensioning it properly before retying your chain link fence should make everything look a lot better.
2. Add a Bottom Rail
If there is an ongoing cause for your chain link fence curling up, such as a dog that squeezes under the fence, just replacing the wire with a new wire might not be enough.
Adding a bottom rail – even if it’s only to the affected parts of your fence – could help to solve the problem of a curling chain link fence.
3. Peg the Bottom of the Fence
Another option that might work to keep your chain link fence looking great – and provided your bottom wire is in good condition – is to peg or stake the bottom of the fence using bent steel pegs similar to tent pegs. This helps to prevent the bottom of the fence from being lifted up, which in turn prevents it from curling.
4. Replace the Chain Link and Bury It
The final suggestion we have to answer the question of how to fix a chain link fence that is curling up is the most labor and material intensive and will cost the most.
In this case, if your chain link fabric is damaged or stretched beyond repair, you would simply take down the old chain link fabric and replace it with new. However, to prevent the new chain link from curling again, you would install an additional foot or so below the ground level and then cover it with dirt, wet it and compact it slightly.
This will act as an “anchor” for the bottom of your fence and keep it looking better for longer.
