When it’s time for a new fence, you’ll need to remove the old one. Keep reading to learn how to remove a chain link fence.
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REMOVE CLAMPS FROM CORNER POST
Remove the clamps from one of the corners or end posts one end at a time. The fence is usually attached to the fence post with brackets secured with a nut and bolt. Loosen the bolt and remove the bracket. If there is a tension bar which runs vertically along the edge of the fencing, take it out by weaving it out of the chain links and set it aside.
CUT FENCE TIES
Next, cut the wire fence ties or metal strapping that holds the chain link fence to the top rail. A small sharp bolt cutter or wire cutter works well for this. You don’t have to fully remove the ties. You can simply bend the wire ties back. Cutting the fence ties will result in lots of sharp metal points, so be sure to wear work gloves during your fence removal.
VERTICALLY CUT FENCE EVERY 20 FEET
A long fence section will need to be removed in sections so that it is manageable during disposal. In general, you’ll want to cut the fence every 20 feet or less to keep the sections small enough to work with. At the end of the section you’re working on, cut the chain link down vertically. Slide the top rail out of the top of the chain link fence. Lay the fence section down on the ground and roll into a tight cylindrical roll.
TIE THE ROLLS WITH BUNGIE CORDS
Secure with wire or tie at the top and bottom to keep it from unrolling during disposal. If the space around the fence is tight, you may have to roll the fence as you remove it instead of laying it down. As you remove the fencing, secure it with bungie cords to keep it from unraveling as you work.
REMOVE THE CAPS
At the corner or end, you may have a cap attached to the top rail. You can remove this cap and rail by removing the nut and bolt holding them in place. After removing the cap, the rail can be twisted apart. Some fences have welded railing and will need to be cut into manageable sections. Use a reciprocating saw fitted with a metal-cutting blade or a hacksaw to cut a long railing into manageable sections.
TAKE OUT FENCE POSTS
Once you’ve removed all the chain link fencing and the top railing, you will be left with the fence posts. These are often set in concrete and can be difficult to remove. To remove the posts, first soak the ground around the concrete to loosen the dirt and make digging easier.
DIG AROUND CONCRETE TO TAKE OUT POSTS
Dig around the concrete with a spade shovel to the bottom of the concrete. If the concrete is not too deep, you may be able to pull the post out. Sometimes the concrete is larger or set too firmly in the ground. Continue digging to the bottom of the concrete section. You can then slip a chain under it and use a come-along or ratchet puller attached to a solid anchor to lift it out of the ground.
IF THEY DON’T COME OUT, USE HACKSAW
If the post is too difficult to remove, you can dig down and cut the post below ground level grade with a reciprocating saw or a hacksaw. However, this will leave the sharp cut edge of the post in the ground. The edges can be hammered down and covered with dirt to keep the hazardous edges out of the way.
