Fences play a critical role in farming, providing farmers with the means to keep portions of farmland segregated for grazing or crop growth. More often than not, fences fail as they are constructed from inferior materials, fence posts haven’t been placed deep enough, and fence stays aren’t the right length. As the leading fencing manufacturer, we at Chemvet Steel & Fencing would like to share some insight into the vital role fence stays play in the stability and longevity of your fence line.
Why Regular Maintenance is Important and How Fence Stays Can Help
Within 24 hours of a barbed wire or woven field fence being installed, the wires start losing tension and will continue to do so over its lifespan. Regular maintenance prevents the time and money needed to replace fencing, and fence stays, placed at intervals between intermediate posts and on strainer and corner posts, will reduce sagging, keeping your livestock safely contained.
Stabilising Strainer Posts
Strainer posts are placed at either side of wire fencing for stability and correct wire tensioning; however, the more the wire sags, the bigger the chance that the strainer posts will lift if fence stays haven’t been installed to brace them. Using stays at varied degree angles inside the fencing parameters on the strainer posts prevents the posts from being pulled out of the ground, bringing balance to the fence. The assembly of your fence stays need to take corners, gates, and topography into consideration.
Accurate Positioning of Fence Stays
As important as the placing of posts are, so is the accurate positioning of fence stays as they form a critical role in the holding power of your fence. When placing fence stays for strainer posts, it is advisable that the lengths of the stays are at least two and a half times the height of your fence. Installing the fence stays three quarters of the way up the strainer posts above ground level gives your fence line the stability needed. If placed too high or too low, the stays won’t be able to keep the posts from moving.
Keeping the Spaces Between Your Barbed Wire and Field Fence Rigid
Single- or double-stranded barbed wire fencing and woven field fencing are ideal for containing livestock, such as cattle, sheep, or goats. Keeping the spaces between the threads tensioned requires the fence line to be regularly checked for signs of wear and possible sagging. Setting up your fence line with the required strainer, corner, and intermediate posts at the correct depths and spacing is all well and good; however, it takes time to inspect fences once constructed. The simplistic design of fence stays allows you to easily place them between intermediate posts to keep the spacing between wire strands even and taught, saving time and money on unnecessary maintenance.
Typical Features of Fence Stays
Here are a few common features of fence stays:
- They are galvanised for corrosion and rust resistance.
- They provide improved durability and stability to fences.
- Fence stays add rigidity, which in turn prevents sagging, posts lifting, and livestock from getting through.
- They can be custom manufactured according to the length of the posts and fence height.
Consult with the Experts in Fencing Solutions
For over 40 years, we at Chemvet Steel & Fencing have been manufacturing and supplying superior-quality steel and fencing products to the agricultural, industrial, and commercial sectors. Whether fencing is required to keep boundaries secure, predators out, or livestock in, contact us – your go-to specialist for your fencing requirements.
