9 Mistakes When Installing Vinyl Fence

Your vinyl fence can serve a number of purposes, it can act as a property marker, keep pets and small children safe inside your property, or add an aesthetic quality to your home. There are a few things you need to be sure to avoid doing when installing a vinyl fence.

9 mistakes when installing vinyl fence

Shallow holes between posts

When you build a vinyl fence you have to make sure that the posts are inserted deep enough in the ground. Vinyl is a light material. The posts of the fence maintain stability but if they are built too close to the surface they can be ripped out of the ground by a strong wind. You need to create a hole that is twice the depth of what you normally would dig for wood or metal fence. This will create the lastingness needed to keep the vinyl fence standing.

Close vinyl sections

If you want to have a fence that is entirely private then vinyl is surely the one to choose. The vinyl sections need to be rather close to each other in order to be effective. You will have to spend more money on the fence materials but it still will not cost as much as metal or wood fences.

Stress and buckling

A vinyl fence is prone to buckling from the stress of its own pieces. Even though vinyl is very resilient it is prone to warping but by weight and not weather like wood. To prevent buckling and warping, place the posts no more than a foot away from each other. This distance will allow the weight to be evenly distributed.

No hammering

Vinyl is not meant to be driven into the ground. It will cause the vinyl to bend and even break. Always dig a hole and then backfill it with the ground to secure it.

Not planning the job

Before buying a fence or planning other steps, plan out every step of the project beforehand. That way you’ll have the tools, materials, permits, and anything else you’ll need to get the job done.

Not following property lines

If you’re installing a vinyl fence yourself, follow your property lines and avoid installing your fence on someone else’s land. Making installation mistakes can result in fees from the government.

You can avoid this mistake with careful measuring. You can pay to get a service by professional surveyors to ensure you don’t make any mistakes. Always measure and double-check.

Not following fencing laws

If you build your own fence without following the zoning laws or fence regulations, you could end up facing costly fines. So check with your local permit office or planning commission to see if there are any restrictions about the types of fence allowed in your area.

Not marking utility lines

The process of removing old fence posts and installing new ones can easily put your shovel or post digger in contact with a gas, electric, or other utility paths.

So call 811 operators, they will contact the relevant utility companies, who will mark your utility lines so you can dig safely. There’s no cost for this service except the time, so stay safe.

Not installing your fence properly

Read guides or product manuals. For example, vinyl fence posts must be set at least three feet into the ground to avoid shifting later on. You’ll need to measure the angle of the grade and compensate for it by either buying angled fence panels or cutting your panels to match the grade. Not taking these aspects into account can result in a weak or unstable fence.

Installing a vinyl fence isn’t the hardest job in the world, but it’s not the easiest either. Unless you’re a skilled DIY-er, you might be more comfortable allowing a professional vinyl fence installer to handle the work. We have the experience and skill to install your fence right the first time. Contact us!