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5 Ways to Prepare For Your Spring Fence Installation

(written by Fence one)

Winter is in full force, which means it’s not exactly the ideal season for fencing in Saskatchewan. The ground is frozen solid, and mountains of snow currently cover your yard and make it difficult to envision the fence that you want; but don’t let winter stop you from being prepared. This season is an ideal time to get a head start on your plans, ensuring that once the frost breaks, you’ll be ready to start your fencing project. While you wait for the snow to melt, here are some of the ways you can prepare for your spring fencing project:

1. Know Your Purpose

Fencing in Saskatchewan can serve many purposes; what’s yours? Do you simply need to set a boundary? Are you trying to keep a child or pet from leaving the yard or entering a hazardous area? Is the fence being installed for privacy and security? No matter the reason, knowing your purpose will help you prepare and guide you in all of the important decisions that come along with building a fence.

2. Pick a Type

Once you’ve decided why you need a new fence, it’s time to decide what kind of fence best suits your needs. If your main goal is functionality, choosing chain link can be a budget friendly option, but if privacy is at the top of your list, using chain link privacy slats or wood or pvc would be the better choice. You should also consider your budget and the amount of time that you’re willing to commit to regular maintenance in the future.

3. Do Your Research

There may be building codes or by-laws regarding fencing in your area that regulate the look, size and location of your fence; make sure that you’ve informed yourself about these before committing to fence installation. You should also know where your property lines and underground lines are located, and whether or not you’ll need a building permit.

4. Be a Good Neighbour

Even once you’ve determined where your property lines are located, you should talk to your neighbours and make sure that they won’t be put out by the construction process or by the finished product. Especially if it’s a shared fence, you’ll need to ensure that they’re in agreement with the look and size of the fence, since it will be impacting their home as well.

5. Hire Professionals

Rather than attempt to install a fence yourself and risk making mistakes, hire  professionals who specialize in fencing in Saskatchewan. Prior to installation, they’ll be able to provide you with invaluable opinions and information. Asking to see examples of their past work may also inspire and generate ideas for your own fencing project.

Taking these steps to prepare yourself and your home for a new fence will ensure that you won’t waste any time come spring. Your vision will be a reality in no time!

Five Mistakes to Avoid When Installing a DIY Chain Link Fence

By Kurtis Kremski

1. Overlooking private utility lines and property pins 

If you’re hiring a fence installer, they will work with utility companies to mark all public utilities on your property.  But there are also private lines to consider which are sometimes overlooked.  Be sure to contact a private locator to mark the location of any underground power, sprinkler or other lines that may be near your fence line, and don’t forget to contact Sask Energy or Power to mark the location of your public utilities. And be sure to stay within your property lines when setting your fence line.

2. Improper post placement 

In our climate, fence posts should be 4 feet deep to minimize frost jacking.  Unfortunately, rocks and tree roots don’t read building codes and sometimes get in the way. When this happens, it’s tempting to leave the post at whatever depth it happens to be and move on.  However, the better option is to relocate your post several inches either way. Fence posts should be spaced 6 – 8’ apart. To ensure structural integrity, DO NOT exceed 8 feet between posts.   

3. Not accounting for uneven ground 

Uneven ground can make it challenging to install a level fence.  It’s important to note dips, bumps, elevation changes, and slopes, and mark them with spray paint or stakes before you get started. Excavate small bumps and use the material to fill in your dips or fill the dips with soil and or gravel.  Slopes less than 10 degrees can be installed as if you were on level ground however, if your slope is greater than 10 degrees you will need to adjust the fence line to follow the slope. If the top of the chain-link fabric does not create a right angle to the terminal post, the fabric must be cut at an angle so that the tension bar can slide into the fabric at the proper angle.  

4. Installing leaning posts 

Along with the fence line, straight, completely aligned posts are critical to the overall fence aesthetic.  When you’re pounding posts, it’s important that you check for level not only early but often. It’s amazing how quickly a level post can start leaning as it is pounded, even when it’s relatively deep in the ground. It is common to hit tree roots or rocks underground which may cause your post to lean and move out of level so check for level often.

5. Over/Under tensioning the mesh

When tying the mesh to the fence, it’s easy to over-crank your pull jack in an effort to get a super-tight run of fence.  But there should be some play in the mesh to account for wind load and prevent your terminal posts from leaning.  If you can grab the mesh 5 or 6 links back from the post, squeeze the diamonds, and still move it ¼ inch or so, you’ve got the right tension. 

Ready to install your chain link fence or look at other choices?   As mentioned, we also supply chain link materials for the DIYer.  You can pick it up at our yard or we can deliver.