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Installing Your Own Chain Link Fencing Article
16. Installing Your Own Chain Link Fencing
from:Chain-link Fencing
There are many instances where chain-link fencing can come in handy for your home. If you have small children, and you would like to give them a safe place to play, a yard with a low chain-link fence is ideal. It can keep them in; it lets you see where they are, and it can be high enough that someone can not easily lift them out of your yard and snatch them away.
The same can be true if you have pets; in particular, a dog. Being able to let it out to run around is always nice, and with chain-link fencing, your dog can see out and – more importantly, they can be seen. The presence of a dog is a great deterrent to thieves and home invasion. Yet, like any homemade security system, its effectiveness is dependant on people knowing about it. Well, with chain-link fencing, everyone can see your precious pet. Also, depending on where you live, there may be wild animals that could pose a threat to your pet – alligators, wolves etc. Chain-link fencing can keep such predators at bay.
On the question of security, chain-link fencing is ideal for home safety. On the one hand, you can get it installed high enough that someone can’t easily climb over it. Yet, you don’t want a situation where – if a stranger climbs over the fence and into your backyard – someone can be moving about near your home unseen. Chain-link fencing has the virtues of strength, security, and durability; yet it does not shut you off from the world.
When you are looking to install fencing around your house, cost is always an issue, as is ease of installation, but you also must look to the future. Chain-link fencing, being made of metal, will not rot with time, and does not require varnish, shellac or paint. Also, the simplicity of metal will go with just about any style of décor you want to deck your house in.
With installation, maintenance and repairs, chain-link fencing is fairly simple to handle. First, you lay out the corners, which are where the main posts will go. Then, you plan for any gates you want, as they will require posts. Finally, posts are generally placed six to eight feet apart, so you then layout the secondary posts. Next, you use a post hole digger to dig the holes for the posts. Typically, you want the posts sunk an average of two feet below the ground, but that can vary from as little as one foot to as much as three. A lot depends on the height of your fence, the soil you are putting it in, and other conditions. Your best bet – consult with a fencing installer or a local home improvement store like Home Depot. After that, mix your concrete, being careful not to get it too watery. If you do, it will lose a lot of its strength. Then place the posts in the holes and pour the concrete around them. Generally, do them one at a time, so that you can hold each post in place until the concrete sets a little; or at least prop them up with something.
Once the posts are set – usually allow a day for the concrete to set - you can attach the chain-link fencing, and install the gates. It may take a lot of work, but this type of fencing will last a long time.