• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Start Here
  • Shop Favorites
  • About
    • Welcome To My Repurposed Life Home of Repurposed Furniture
    • More About Gail
    • Disclosure
    • Privacy Information
  • Gallery
    • Repurposed Furniture
  • Repurposed Items
    • Building Supplies
    • Miscellaneous Household Items
    • Picture Frame/Chalk Board
  • DIY
    • Home Reno
    • outdoor living
    • Painting
    • Shop Talk
    • Tips for Around the House
    • Build It
      • Furniture
      • Home Decor
      • Storage
    • Crafts
      • Dollar Store
      • Easy
      • Holidays Seasonal
  • Furniture
    • Chair
    • Desk
    • Dresser/Chest
    • Headboard | Bed Parts | Cribs
    • Kids Furniture
    • Table
    • Kids Furniture
My Repurposed LifeĀ®
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Start Here
  • Project Index
  • Furniture
  • Subscribe
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • Ɨ
    Home Ā» DIY Ā» Chain Link Fence Be GONE!

    Chain Link Fence Be GONE!

    Modified: Apr 9, 2019 by Gail Wilson
    This post may contain affiliate links

    Pin
    Share
    Tweet

    If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you know I’m tackling a huge DIY project at my home—removing a chain link fence and replacing it with a DIY Picket Fence! It has been on my to-do list for several years, and I just can’t put it off any longer.

     

    First, I’ll share a few pictures that will tell you the story of why this fence needs to come down.

     

    old-chain-link-fence

    The components are no longer connected how the should be due to their age.

     

    rusty-chain-link-fence

    The fence is rusting, as it is probably almost as old as I am!

    chain-link-fence

    This very sad back corner is the worst of the entire fence.

     

    corner-lot-chain-link-fence

    This is the same corner, but from a different vantage point. Notice the second post from the corner going up the street. It has sunk about a foot into the ground away from the top rail.

     

    chain-link-fence-grown-into-tree

    This is that same section of fence, one of the smaller sections, with only a few poles. This part of the fence was actually the shortest (in height) of the entire fence. From the ground the height was a full 10 inches shorter than the highest point of the fence (along the driveway)  Removing this part of the fence was the most challenging due to two trees growing into the fence over the years.

     

     

     

    chain-link-fence-bent-top-railYou can see here how bad the top rails of the chain link fence were bent.

    A neighbor (Rodney) from down the street is the brains behind all of this work. Most of the poles were dug up, and they will be re-used as will the better portions of the fence. We did temporarily leave a few very stationary posts for measuring etc. There were FIVE posts that will remain for the new fence. Stay tuned for details on that.

    corner-lot-old-chain-link-fenceBefore

    Hanging on the fence is my DIY reclaimed fence flag.

    corner-lot-sans-chain-link-fence-2

    After removing the chain link fence.

    The small red “cross” looking item is the PVC pipe fire hydrant I made for my little Louie.

    If you look closely, you will see a difference in the color of the leaves on the tree. As my series continues, the leaves will tell their own story of how long this project has taken.

    2015-11-02 10.20.51It’s funny, how many of my former projects are visible in these pictures. You can see the red easy porch post, and the reclaimed wood Home Sweet Home sign.

    The porch swing enclosure has been there since 1988.

    more-demolition

    So, while the fence and posts were gone, I took advantage of the situation and removed all of the lattice sections. I literally just pushed them over. After taking this picture I removed the two smaller sections.

    More projects visible here. On the right you can see my Glass Topiary and the Candlestick Birdbath that was featured in Woman’s Day AND Reloved Magazine! Hanging from the swing is the Wind Chime I repaired

    I can’t wait to share more details with you next week.

    I thought doing the prep work was going to take the most time, but actually all of it is moving rather slowly due to shorter work days because of the time change.

    Have you ever removed a chain link fence?

    Pin
    Share
    Tweet
    Gail Wilson
    Website

    Gail Wilson is the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. She is obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believes that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again, including herself!
    Gail reinvented herself during a midlife crisis and has found purpose again. She hopes you will find new ideas for old things and pick up a few tools along the way.

    About Gail Wilson

    Gail Wilson is the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. She is obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believes that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again, including herself!
    Gail reinvented herself during a midlife crisis and has found purpose again. She hopes you will find new ideas for old things and pick up a few tools along the way.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      See comments Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Kate

      December 11, 2015 at 4:19 pm

      Chain link fences are so ugly, but so necessary sometimes. We have a 6ft high one covering about a third of our five acres. Since we're small town/rural, it's very useful for keep stray dogs (and pigs and goats) from invading our yard. It was a big relief to me when the kids were younger, because our property borders a street that people think is alright to barrel down because it's rural. Useful, but so industrial looking. Taking it down is not an option, so my solution was to grown things all over the sides I see most frequently. Too bad you can't leave off the fence - your yard looks so spacious and welcoming without it. Probably not practical, I know.

      Reply
    2. Joan

      December 08, 2015 at 7:49 pm

      One of my sons is about to take down a portion of a chain link fence in his yard. Totally curious on your outcome. His thought was to just take a grinder and get rid of the posts. Can't wait to see the after shots.

      Reply
    3. Mindi

      December 07, 2015 at 11:43 pm

      Wow Gail this is a huge project! It is going to look so amazing when you are done, and then all the hard work will be a memory...I hope you finish sooner than later, good luck! These kinds of things always take way longer than expected! I can't wait to see it!

      Reply
    4. h2OBungalow@gmail.com

      December 07, 2015 at 1:54 pm

      It's going to look so good! This is a huge task! Can you come down to my house next with all that extra energy you have and help me tackle a biggie here? Can't wait to see how pretty it turns out!

      Reply
      • gail@myrepurposedlife.com

        December 07, 2015 at 2:57 pm

        I'm not sure I'll survive this huge task wendi! It's about to wear me down. šŸ™‚

        gail

    5. Margot C

      December 07, 2015 at 1:09 pm

      I dunno, you are a brave soul is all I can say!

      Reply
    6. Rachelmary

      December 07, 2015 at 11:28 am

      I so enjoy Gail and her projects.please keep going.

      Reply
    7. Laurel Stephens

      December 07, 2015 at 9:40 am

      What a huge task, Gail! I'm excited to see what you have planned. It's fun seeing your old projects still being enjoyed around the house. Your yard is so big and gorgeous that I'm quite envious! šŸ™‚

      Reply
      • gail@myrepurposedlife.com

        December 07, 2015 at 10:19 am

        Laurel,

        Until I started writing the post, I didn't realize how many past projects are still around... most of them for FIVE years. I think I need to make some stuff for the new yard. The yard is very big, I can vouch for that because I am the one who mows it. lol

        thanks for stopping by Laurel!

        gail

    8. girlfromwva

      December 07, 2015 at 9:21 am

      I haven't and hope not to anytime soon.looking good though.can't wait for future posts.

      Reply
    9. Bliss

      December 07, 2015 at 8:57 am

      I find myself wondering what I would make out of old chain link fencing.....

      Reply
    10. Connie

      December 07, 2015 at 8:16 am

      Don't throw away those top rails--they make GREAT curtain rods for really wide windows! My dad had some in his scrap pile, so we cut them to length, painted them and added finials. Inexpensive and easy!

      Reply
      • gail@myrepurposedlife.com

        December 07, 2015 at 8:49 am

        Great idea Connie! I think my neighbor will be using most of them for an actual fence. Thanks for your input!!!

        gail

    11. cassie @ primitive & proper

      December 07, 2015 at 6:32 am

      yay! i remember you talking about that a while back! so happy for you!

      Reply
    12. Christina in FL

      December 07, 2015 at 6:07 am

      Gail you rocked the yard! Oh my stars, what a wonderful difference you have made. I can HEAR your yard smiling with delight. You also! :)))

      Reply
      • gail@myrepurposedlife.com

        December 07, 2015 at 8:50 am

        I AM squealing also! A fence will be going up.... but hoping it will do so much to improve the looks of my home!

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, there! I’m Gail Wilson, the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. I’m obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believe that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again—myself included! I hope you’ll enjoy the journey and pick up a few tools along the way… literally!

    More about me →

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    SEEN ON

    Might I Suggest

    • Start Here
    • Furniture Makeovers

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates
    • Contact

    About

    • Gail's Favorites on Amazon
    • About

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright Ā© 2023 My Repurposed Life Ā· Privacy Policy Ā· Disclosure