Building a fence on your property can be quite an undertaking. That is especially true if you are dealing with uneven ground. Can you install a fence in this type of area?
Installing a fence on uneven ground is not ideal but there are options that allow you to do so successfully. This includes building a fence that is stepped, using a racking fence, or having a custom fence designed for your needs.
First of all, it’s important to recognize that in very few cases the ground is going to be perfectly level. There are always going to be issues that need to be overcome on any property, unless you are installing a fence on a concrete slab.
It can be a little difficult at times to install a fence on uneven ground but it certainly is possible to do it. There have been quite a few innovations in recent years that allow it to take place in a very convenient way.
Can You Put Fence On Uneven Ground? (How To)
One important factor to consider when installing a fence on uneven ground is to choose the best option possible. If at all possible, fill in some of the lower spots and dig out some of the higher spots before installing the fence.
Obviously, you don’t want any large gaps under the fence that would allow animals to come in and out of the property unimpeded. It may be necessary, at times, to fill those lower spots in with rocks before using soil.
One other option; and one that we will consider in this article is the possibility that you should use a different type of fence. You may have something specific in mind but when you get to a very uneven part of your property, you may need to change up to something that works better.
In this article, we are going to consider how to install a fence on uneven ground as well as some benefits that go along with it. We will also look at specific problems that may exist and how to overcome them.
Should You Put Fence On Uneven Ground?
Obviously, installing a fence on uneven ground is not going to be an ideal situation. There are always bound to be problems associated with it, and here are a few to consider.
Uneven Posts – Perhaps one of the biggest issues associated with installing the fence on uneven ground is that the post will not be at similar elevations. This can make it difficult to bridge the gap between posts in the same way that you would do so on level ground.
Fortunately, there are options available and we will discuss some of them in this article.
Structure – Along with things being uneven, you also have a difficult time getting the structure of the fence to go together properly. This is something that will be an ongoing issue and you need to be cautious that it doesn’t continue to grow as you continue to install.
Gaps – One of the larger issues associated with installing a fence on uneven ground is the possibility of gaps. Some of these may be small and others may be large but they all present the same problem, an opportunity for animals to come on the property or exit the property unexpectedly.
Fortunately, most gaps are able to be filled with some soil or perhaps rocks along with the soil. It may take some work to get it done properly but in the end, this is an issue that can be dealt with successfully.
What Tools Do You Need To Put Fence On Uneven Ground
Make sure that you have all of the tools that you need to get the job done properly before the job actually starts. Installing a fence is a big job and putting it over uneven ground has challenges.
Here are some of the tools that you will need to have on hand:
Wheelbarrow – One of the most convenient and useful tools you will have at your disposal is a wheelbarrow. It can be used for moving concrete, dirt, and even tools and supplies.
Post-Hole Digger – Either a manual post-hole digger or an auger is something that you should have available. They are used for digging the post holes as you go.
Digging Bar – This tool will be useful if you’re digging post holes in an area where rocks and clay are a problem. It can get down through the difficult soil and allow you to use your post-hole diggers to remove the items in the hole.
String – Obviously, you want the fence to be as straight as possible and having a quality string line will map out the border properly.
Level – Make sure that the posts are always level, even if you are working on uneven ground.
Saw – There are a variety of options available for cutting in the field. Many cordless options are now available, which you will find to be very convenient.
Gloves – Wear a good pair of leather gloves or at the very least, some all-purpose gloves.
Safety Glasses – Never forget that your eyes are irreplaceable. Wear safety glasses when doing any type of DIY project.
What Preparations Do You Need To Install Fence On Uneven Ground
There are a few things you can do to prepare the land before you install a fence on uneven ground. You will be somewhat limited, but take these steps in advance.
If at all possible, choose a path for the fence that is over the most level ground possible. If you must go over extremely uneven ground or down a steep slope, then you will have to move soil or rocks into the area to make up for any gaps that exist.
Sometimes, you may need to dig into the ground to provide a level spot. This is especially true when installing a gate. Always choose the levelest area to install a gate.
Finally, make sure that everything is laid out properly before you begin working. Most people find it convenient to have the posts near the area where they will be buried so that you can continue to work without picking up and moving every time you get a post in.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on September 16, 2022.
How To Install Fence On Uneven Ground
There are quite a few options for installing a fence on uneven ground. Here are some of the different options that you can consider.
Stepped Fencing – For any fence that has to be built on a steep slope, stepped fencing can help to overcome the difficulty. Essentially, you are stepping the panels or spaces between the posts up from one post to the next. What you end up with is a stairstep look at the top of the fence and fewer gaps at the bottom of the fence.
One of the biggest problems associated with a stepped fence is that each panel or space between the posts is going to have some exposed areas. This could be problematic if you need to keep animals enclosed on the property. Sometimes, this can be overcome by moving rocks or dirt into the area. Other types of landscaping may also help.
Racked Fencing – These panels are prefabricated to work on a slope. You can adjust them, depending on how steep the slope is and they will work at an angle.
This can be thought of as being similar to stepped fencing but it is actually stepping with each board, rather than stepping one full panel. The benefit is, that the ends of the racked panels are upright, so they can be attached to the post that is level as well.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on September 16, 2022.
Level Top – This is not necessarily going to be the best choice, but it is one that is considered by many homeowners. It works on uneven ground but not necessarily on a slope.
Essentially, the top of the fence is going to be level, similar to the way that a fence would look if it was installed on level ground. The real difference is, that there is going to be a lot of gapping underneath the fence that needs to be filled.
If the land where you are installing the fence is not overly uneven, you can overcome the gaps at the bottom of the fence by using landscaping, such as installing bushes or small trees. Otherwise, you can move some rocks or soil into the area to make up for the difference.
Custom Fence – This is the most expensive option because the fence is going to be built according to your specific needs. Regardless of whether you are going up or downhill, dealing with uneven ground, or even going across a small valley, a custom fence can be built to work well over the terrain.
Along with being expensive, this is also going to be the best-looking option. It can be used on a wide variety of types of fences, from wood-paneled to chain-link and you will be happy with the end result.
It is possible to install a fence on uneven ground but it is not ideal to do so. Generally speaking, you will have to come up with a method to install the fence and at the same time, deal with any gaps that exist at the bottom of the fence.
Related Articles
Can You Put a Floating Floor on Uneven Surface? (How To)
Can You Put a Gate On Uneven Ground? (How To)
Can You Put Baseboard On Uneven Ground? (How To)
Can You Put Gravel on Uneven Ground? (How To)
ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on September 16, 2022.