How Do You Stretch Metal Fencing Uphill?
There are many different ways to stretch metal fencing uphill. One of the simplest is to install a stepped fence that goes downhill in a series of steps. This works well on gentle slopes but can be difficult to do on steeper hills and valleys.
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The first step is to get a survey of the area that you want to fence. This will allow you to determine how much the sloping ground changes and help you decide what route is best for your fence.
Next, you need to dig holes for your line posts in the appropriate spots on the hill or valley. Ideally, you will dig holes that are 14 to 18 inches deep, regardless of the terrain. This will give you enough room to fit in the posts.
You can also use a power auger to dig your post holes, which will save you time and effort. Once you have your posts in place, you can mix and pour concrete into the holes to make them more stable.
Alternatively, you can install tension bars on the end posts to hold them in place. These are available in a variety of sizes and will help keep your fence straight and level.
Installing a Contour Fencing System
A contour fence, where the rails follow the slope of the land, can be installed over the sloped ground by using premade panels and posts that are suited to the height and width of the slope. This is a great choice for keeping deer, horses, bison, and elk.
If the slope of your land isn’t too steep, you can simply drive a stake into the top of the incline and a second stake at the bottom to mark equally spaced locations for your posts. This will be the base of your fence and will keep it from falling off the incline when it’s time to remove it.
After you have your posts in the right places, you can begin to wire the fence. Whether you are using barbed wire or smooth wire, you should install four wires per fence line. Depending on the size of your animals, you may want to add an extra strand of wire along the ground for added security.
The first wire that you install should be your guideline wire. This will guide you in putting down the other wires and connecting them to your posts. The staples should be driven into the posts at a slight diagonal so they straddle the grain of the wood, increasing the holding power.
Once you’ve hammered the guideline wire into the posts, it’s time to connect the other wires and put the fence up. Most fences come in a variety of heights, so choose the height that is right for you.
You’ll need to place a tension band on each of the ends of your fence, and you’ll need to measure them carefully to be sure that they are at an even distance from the posts. This will prevent the fence from tilting too much over the course of time and will give you a clean, level look.
