Another issue that comes up with chain link fences is that they do degrade over time. As they deteriorate, they can become safety hazards to pets, children, and others.
DIY Chain Link Fence Removal
If you have decided to go the route of a do-it-yourself chain link fence removal, you are in luck. While it seems like a daunting task, it's truly not that hard. It does take some time and tools that may make fence removal prohibitive; otherwise, it's fairly easy.
First thing’s first, you need to make sure the chain link fence belongs to you. In cases where you purchase a home with a pre existing fence on your property line, you could easily run into a question of ownership. Talk with your neighbors, and double-check your property line to ensure that the fence is yours.
It is also a good idea to reach out to your neighbors and let them know that your fence will be coming down. This will give them a chance to make adjustments if they have pets or small children. With all things, safety and communication go a long way.
Tools Needed
Before you get ahead of yourself, it is important to make sure that you have the tools needed to get the job done. There is nothing quite as frustrating as having to run to the hardware store mid-job to pick up a tool. Ensuring you have everything you need before starting work will save you a lot of trouble.
Things that you will need for a chain link fence removal include:
- Work Gloves
- Safety Goggles
- Work Pants
- Fence Pliers
- Wrench
- Bolt or Wire Cutters
- Bungee Cords
- Twine Tie
- Spade Shovel
Safety First
Chain link fencing almost always has sharp ends. These ends can easily tear through clothing and flesh if you are not careful. Additionally, as you are snipping the fence, metal shards will be flying all over the place, so be sure to wear the appropriate personal protective equipment to ensure that you do not get injured.
How To Remove Your Fence
Now that we have gotten all the boring stuff out of the way, it is time to get down to it. As you are preparing to begin work, make sure to double-check that you have all the safety equipment and tools needed to do the job. Go ahead and clear out any vegetation along the fence, especially if there are any vines or tall weeds.
Step One - Start At The Fence Posts
Once you have cleared the area around the chain link fence, remove the clamps from one of the corner posts one end at a time. The fence is typically attached with brackets secured with a nut and bolt. Sometimes, there may be a tension bar that runs vertically along the fencing. Take this out and set it aside.
Step Two - Detach Chain Link From Fence Ties
Once you have removed clamps from the posts, it is time to cut wire fence ties or metal strapping that hold the chain link fence to the top rail. A sharp pair of bolt or wire cutters work perfectly for this.
This is where things can begin to get a bit tricky, especially if you have long sections of fence. To make things more manageable, you will want to cut the fence every 20 feet or less so that it is easier to work with. At the end of each section, cut the chain link vertically and slide the top rail out of the top of the fence.
At this point, you can lay the fence section on the ground and roll the fencing into a tight roll. Secure the rolled-up chain link fence with wire to keep it from unrolling. Sometimes, the top railing is hard to manage and cannot be twisted apart into sections. If that is the cake, take a metal cutting reciprocating saw or a hacksaw to cut longer railing.
Step Three - Remove Posts
If there is one part of the process that can cause problems, it is post-removal. Fence posts should be anchored into the ground with concrete. To remove posts, first, soak the ground around the concrete with water. This should loosen up things and make your job easier.
Begin digging around the concrete footer with a spade shovel, and pray that the footer is small. If so, you can push and pull the post to loosen it up. In some cases, you may be able to pull the post out.
However, many contractors feel the need to ensure that their work is done extra well, and that results in much larger concrete footers. While this provides stability, it can be frustrating when trying to remove old fence posts.
If you cannot remove a post, you can always dig down and cut the post below grade. If you resort to this, make sure that you cut it low enough that dirt will keep it from being exposed. To take further safety measures, you can hammer the edges down to ensure that nothing sharp may find its way to the surface of the ground.
Chain Link Fence Disposal
Disposing of your chain link fence can be a tough thing to do. Many convenience centers refuse to take scrap metal. Your best bet when looking for a place to dispose of your chain link fence is to recycle it through a scrap metal company.
You can reduce waste by recycling your old chain link fence, and you can also make a little bit of cash. In some cases, scrap companies will remove the fence for you.
Work With A Fencing Contractor
If all of this sounds like a lot of work (and believe us, it is) and you are replacing your fence, it may be worth asking your fence contractor to do the heavy lifting. Depending on the contractor, they may take away your old fencing for you and repurpose or recycle it.
If you are looking for a fencing contractor to not only install a new fence but also remove the old one, look no further than Asheville Fence. Contact us today for more to schedule a consultation!