Uneven ground level exerts unequal tension on different parts of the fence that results in sagging. However installing or stretching a welded wire fence on a slope is not that difficult and requires patience and some time.
In this post, we’ll discuss all the possibilities & tips to stretch welded wire fences on slopes.
How to stretch welded wire fence on uneven ground
The most helpful approach to keep welded wire fences straight & stretched on uneven ground is to divide the fence into sections according to the change in ground levels.
If you want to stretch an already installed welded wire fence installed on the slope, first of all, you’ve to remove the fence from the posts.
If you’ve installed the fence on T-posts, you’ve surely used T-post clips for attachment. Untie (untwist) the T-post clips using a plier or clip bender. Similarly, fence staples are used to attach wire fences to wood posts.
After that, stretch the fence with your hands or a chain strainer & ask someone to reattach the fence to the post. Frequently check the tension at each post.
If the fence is bending, cut it & attach it to the nearest fence post. Then continue stretching & reinstalling the fence to the posts.
It is not a good idea to stretch out the wire forcefully, it’ll bend the fence & deform its shape & ultimately reduces its strength.
Stretch the welded wire fence with a tractor:
You can use a tractor to stretch the wire fence on plain ground or uneven to some extent.
For this, you’ve to sturdily attach the ends of the fence to the starting post & the other end to a long wood or metal bar.
Then connect that wood/metal bar to the back of the tractor. Then run the tractor in creeper gear to slowly stretch it tight.
Other tools for stretching wire fences:
You can also buy a fence puller or make your own with 2×4 wood panels. Use it along a come-a-long tool(fence stretcher) to stretch the fence.
Another handy tool used to stretch wire fences is a stretcher bar puller.
Remember: If your fence is loose only from the top, it could be due to weak corner posts pulling inside due to fence load. That’s why you should use wood posts, at least at the corners.
Wood posts set in concrete bases can bear maximum fence load & tension as compared to other types of posts.
How to install welded wire fence on the slope?
On uneven terrain(slops), you can’t install the entire roll of welded wire fence straight. Hence it’s better to install the fence in sections. Installing wire fences in sections will prevent putting a lot of weight on the corner posts & bending them.
Start by installing fence posts on the straight ground. Usually, fence posts are installed 8-12 feet apart.
However, if the ground is uneven, you can install them at less distance to maintain the shape of your fence. keeping the distance low, will help keep the fence straight & tight.
Remember: Digging straight fence post holes in rocky ground or slopes could be challenging as there could be a lot of rocks.
Before the uneven terrain starts (slope or rise), cut the welded wire fence and tie it to the post.
After that, install fence posts on the slope, keeping the distance less than the plain ground.
Now place the remaining fence along the previous post and the one installed on uneven ground. Check the angle of the fence & cut it accordingly. Then attach it to the fence post.
You may have to terminate the fence at each post to adjust its shape.
Tip: Flexible stainless steel wire fences are also helpful for securing your property on slopes. They are flexible and bend to some extent, making the installation quite easier on uneven ground.
To attach welded wire fence to posts:
- To keep your welded wire fences sturdily attached to the wood posts, you should use fence staples. The fence staples are U-shaped clips used to attach the wire fence to the wood posts or frames. They get driven into the wood post over the wire fence using a hammer.
- However, if you’ve installed T-posts use T-post clips to attach wire fences to the T-posts.
If the ground is uneven in some parts:
- If the ground is slightly uneven, the best option is to level the land before installing the welded wire fence.
- You can also dig a narrow channel using a spade/shovel so the fence can be installed straight.
- If you don’t have dogs, install the fence a few inches above the ground to keep it straight & stretched.
To keep the fence touching the ground:
- If you’ve kept a dog, make sure the bottom of welded wire fence is touching the ground.
- You can also drive hooks such as metal tent pegs & attach them to the fence to keep it hooked to the ground.
Tips to keep the fence sturdy on uneven ground:
If the slope is steep, you can also install a double H brace in the lowest part of the dip and attach the fence to it to provide added stability.
Other than H braces, you can install cattle panels or rail fences for steep slopes or rises. Then connect the welded wire fence to each end of the cattle panel.
It will keep the welded fence straight & sturdy. A fence staple is usually used to attach fences to any wood structure.
If desired, you can install tension wire along the bottom and top of the fence to keep it stretched. Attach the tension wire to the end posts and stretch it using a chain stretcher. Then attach the wire fence to the tension wire so it doesn’t sags.
Tip:
To keep animals from digging or intruders from climbing the fence, you can also install a live electric fence wire at the top & bottom of welded wire fence.
Conclusion:
By following the steps outlined above, you can successfully install a fence that conforms to the contour of the slope while maintaining its stability and functionality.
Take the time to properly set the posts, ensure levelness, and securely attach the welded wire fence panels.
Consider adding tension wire for added support if necessary.
For further guidance ask us in the comments below.