How to Repair a Busted Fence

Maintaining a fence line can be labor intensive. Depending on the type of fence, the age and the type of livestock it is containing, you may have to maintain it on a weekly basis. If your fence breaks, it is absolutely necessary to fix it as roaming livestock can cause lawsuits, accidents and worse. Repairing a fence is every bit as important as building it.

Things You'll Need

  • Smooth wire
  • Fencing tool
  • T-posts
  • T-post driver
  • Wire clips
  • Measuring tape
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Instructions

    • 1

      Begin by removing the livestock from the area where the broken fence is located. Then remove the broken pieces of fencing, taking care not to cut yourself on any jagged edges. Make sure you remove any nails, wire, etc., that may be sticking out or damaged.

    • 2

      Determine how many T-posts you will need by measuring the gap in the fence. For a sturdy temporary repair, you need one T-post for every 10 feet of wire you are going to use. Measure the gap and mark the ground where your T-posts will go.

    • 3

      Drive in your T-posts with your T-post driver until they are secure. Using your fence wire, loop and tighten one end to the last post of the original fence and take the far end to the post of the original fence on the other side of the gap. Secure it there as tightly as you can with your hands only.

    • 4

      Clip your wire onto your T-posts, tightening them securely with your fencing tool. You will need at least three strands of wire to repair your gap: one at the top, one in the middle and one on the bottom.

    • 5

      Tighten your wire on the corner posts using your fencing tool. Make sure your wire is tight enough to resist livestock pushing on it until you can make permanent repairs to your fence.