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Metal posts supporting chain link fences don't rot, but they often rust after they've been up for a number of years. The best way to prevent rust is to paint the fence and posts periodically. And whenever you see rust, use a stiff wire brush to scrape it off, and then paint over the spot.
Covering rust with a metal sleeve
Another way to cover rusted areas on posts is to put on a metal sleeve, commonly found at hardware stores. You need a wire brush, spray paint for metal, a sleeve, pliers, and bolts. Here's what to do:
1. Remove the rust with a wire brush.
2. Cover the damaged area with paint formulated for metal to stop further rust damage.
3. Put a metal sleeve over the painted section.
4. Bolt the sleeve tightly to the post and paint it, if necessary.
Replacing sections of fence pipe
Badly damaged sections of metal posts can be cut out and patched with a new piece of pipe and a sleeve to hold the sections together. You need a metal saw, a length of galvanized pipe, a metal sleeve, bolts, and a wrench or pliers. Here's how to patch in a new pipe:
1. Brace the chain link fencing to hold it up.
2. Use a metal saw and cut out the bad part.
Never trim it to ground level. You have to have room for the sleeve around the cut and new pipe.
3. Fit a new piece of pipe into the space.
4. Put a metal sleeve around the ends of the existing and new pieces.
5. Bolt the sleeve on tightly.
Replacing sections of chain link
A damaged section of chain link fencing can be cut out and replaced. You should replace the whole section between two existing posts. You need to get more screening to match what's there, pliers, and someone willing to help you. It's a two-person job, so call a buddy to help you. Here's what to do:
1. Rent a fence stretcher.
2. Anchor one end of the fence stretcher to each side of the section that's to be replaced. Leave plenty of room to work.
3. Straighten the bent wires or untwist them on the bottom and top edges of the damaged fencing.
4. Tighten the fence stretcher until the bad section of chain link becomes very loose.
5. Unscrew the two wires — one on either side of the bad section.
Save the screws. You'll need them again.
6. Count the wires in the section you've removed.
7. Count off and mark just as many wires on the new piece of fence.
8. Straighten or untwist and unscrew the very next wire.
You should have a replacement section that exactly matches the length of the old fencing that's been removed.
9. Hold the new section, same side up, to the fence.
10. Fasten each end wire with the screws you just removed.
11. Rebend the ends of wires on each side of the new section to match the rest of the fence.
12. Release the fence stretcher.
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