6 Tips for Installing a Welded Wire Fence

People put up a welded wire fence for different reasons: to keep animals out of a garden, to protect their property, or to fence in their outdoor pool. Welded wire fencing can also be used in the construction of a dog kennel or a tool cage for your garage. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when you are installing a welded wire fence.

1. Locate Your Property Line

It's not fun to have to take down your welded wire fence because you accidentally crossed over into your neighbor's yard. Before you begin to place posts, find and mark your property line. If you are not sure where it is, have a professional survey done. It's well worth the time and expense to prevent any legal issues that might arise from putting your fence in the wrong place. Your neighbor may not only ask you to take the fence down; they could also demand that restore their property to its previous state.

2. Call the Utility Companies

Usually, your local utility companies have a hotline to call before you do digging for a construction or home improvement project. They will come out to your property and mark the locations of any gas, water, power, and phone lines. Digging blind can cause property damage and/or injury. For example, if you nick a power line just right, you could accidentally electrify your fence. Call the hotline first and save yourself some trouble.

3. Use a Postholer

When installing a welded wire fence, you should place post every 7 to 8 feet. Depending on the size of your fence, you may wind up digging a lot of holes that are 6 inches around and 12 inches deep. That is a lot of work to do with a shovel alone. A postholer will save you time and effort, and the holes are more uniform than if you had done it by hand. Postholers don't cost much and they can be found at most home or garden stores.

4. Cut the Fencing into Sections

A welded wire fence needs to be taught in order to be of any use. A roll of fencing is unwieldy and you make things unnecessarily difficult by trying to unroll it and fasten as you go. If you cut it into sections the size of the distance between posts,

5. Safety

Welded wire fence has sharp edges, so you need to take precautions. Wear long sleeves, pants, and gloves so your hands and limbs don't get cut up. Also, wear protective goggles in case the fencing snaps back at some point and hits you in the face.

Other dangers are the wire could somehow slice or puncture sneakers, or you could accidentally get yourself in the foot with the postholer. To prevent injury to your feet wear a pair of heavy boots, such as steel toe boots.

Remember to keep hydrated and rest. Always put your safety and the safety of the people working with you first.

6. Have a Helper

A second person can hold the welded wire fencing while you fasten it, making it easier to make the fence taut and ensure that it will keep unwanted visitors out. For large projects, having multiple helpers will cut down the amount of time the project takes.