How to mend fences with baling wire

Baling wire is primarily used by recycling centers to bind dense bales of recycled materials, such as cardboard and plastic. Beyond baling, farmers, gardeners, ranchers, and winemakers use baling wire to construct fences. 

Eventually, fence wires break and need to be repaired. With the right roll of baling wire and the correct tools, you can mend fences with baling wire as a long-term solution instead of a temporary repair. We’ll discuss the three primary wire fence repairs you’ll make, why baling wire is used on fences, and the best baling wire for different types of fences.

How to reconnect broken fence wires

Broken wires create unwanted fence gaps that animals can use to enter or exit your enclosure. Whether you have a wood fence, a steel beam fence, a barbed wire fence, or a smooth wire fence, you can use this technique to create a long-lasting repair. You won’t even need wire stretchers or any other special tools. Instead, make sure you have:

• Your preferred baling wire product
• A claw hammer
• Pliers with a wire cutter
• Thick gloves

Once you’ve got your fence tools, follow these steps:

1. Cut back damaged or corroded sections on each loose wire end.
2. Form narrow loops on each loose end by folding the wire back on itself and wrapping the working end around the standing end 3–5 times. Do this by hand or with pliers depending on the wire gauge.
3. Cut a length of baling wire that overlaps the broken wire section by about 5 inches on each side.
4. Feed the replacement wire through one of the loops, then fold it back on itself and form a loop.
5. Feed the other working end of the replacement wire through the loop on the other end and put a bend in it.
6. With the hammer upside down and facing away from you and the notched working end of the replacement wire facing up, put the wire into the claw and bend it toward the damaged fence section.
7. Put the head of the hammer on the old wire and start rotating the hammer away from the damaged section.
8. Use the hammer handle to generate leverage and pull the wire tight. Once you’ve reached the desired wire tension, the hammer’s head will be wrapped in excess wire.
9. Unwind the hammer. The final wire notch will hold the tension. Once the hammer is free, wrap the replacement wire around itself to form a loop and secure the fence.

How to fix loose wires on fences

Loose wires are as insecure as broken wires. To fix them, you want to start by determining why they came loose. Look for fallen fence posts or angled corner posts that the wire has shifted up and over.

Once you’ve fixed the underlying problem, you can tighten or repair the fence.

Tighten the fence wire with a screwdriver

You might not need any baling wire if you just need to remove a little slack from a loose fence wire. All you need to tighten the wire is a long Phillips-head screwdriver and some pliers. Use the pliers to bend a kink into the wire. Then put the screwdriver in the kink and start twisting to take up the slack wire.

Once you’ve reached the right tension, slide the screwdriver out (this might not be easy with a flathead) and use the pliers to bend the kinked section down against the main wire. If you’re worried about jagged protrusions, you can wrap the section in duct tape.

Cut and repair loose fence wire with baling wire

If you need to take up significant slack, you should cut the old wire and repair the fence with baling wire. To do this, you’ll just cut the excess wire away and use the same loop method with the hammer we described above for repairing broken wires.

How to replace a section of wire between posts

If an entire run of wire is broken and badly damaged, you should replace the section between as many posts as needed. This technique allows you to repair a fence without tools. It is most applicable for high-tensile smooth wire fences. The only equipment you might need is a set of leather gloves.

Here’s how to tie high-tensile wire between fence posts:

1. Wrap the working end of a length of baling wire around the first post.
2. Bring the working end over top of the standing end. At the intersection, bend the Z-shape into the working end.
3. Set the working end over the standing end and push the bottom of the Z-shape up between both wires (toward the post).
4. Bring the excess wire through to complete a loop.
5. Take the working end over the top of the loop (pinching the looped section) and down under the standing end.
6. Make 3–5 close, tight wraps to secure the knot.
7. Cut or break the excess wire.

Repeat this process at the other post. Pull as much tension into the wire as possible as you wrap it around the post. Once finished, use post clips to support the wire across any other posts on the fence length you repaired.

This technique is best for emergency repairs. A fence stretcher is necessary to properly tension the fence wire.

What causes fence wires to break?

If your current fence is broken, the problem might be obvious or you might be scratching your head. Horse owners and cattle hands know that no wire fence can stop a truly determined animal. Regardless, here are some questions to ask when assessing a broken fence:

• Am I using a low enough gauge? A lower-gauge, thicker wire can withstand more constant tension and impact force. If your fence wire is tensioned beyond its capacity, it will break in time.
• Am I using annealed wire? The annealing process heat treats wire to improve its elongation and ductility. While annealing creates a bendable wire that’s easier to work with, under tension annealed wire might elongate and cause sags in the fence.
• Am I using galvanized wire? If you aren’t, your wire will rust within a couple of years as it is exposed to the elements. Wire corrosion is a common ground-level fence problem, but it affects wires at all heights. Ground contact subjects wire to dirt and increased moisture, accelerating degradation.
• Am I using high-tensile wire? For small fences or garden fences, regular wire might suffice. But for large fences that need to withstand large animals, high-tensile wire is necessary.

Why baling wire makes good fencing

Baling wire builds strong fences because it is made of steel. Its high tensile strength and load strength allow it to withstand constant tension and impact. High-carbon steel wire (high-tensile wire) can withstand mature livestock.

Baling wire also produces robust fences because it can be galvanized. The wire is dipped in a molten zinc bath and cooled. The zinc coat protects the underlying steel by acting as a sacrificial anode (degrading before the underlying steel is affected). Since baling wire can be galvanized to different classes (or thicknesses), it can survive for decades in wet conditions.

Our baling wire products for mending fences

Our baling wire products are made of 100% US steel and manufactured beyond industry standards. Here are our top picks for fence repairs.

Best baling wire for mending garden fences

For gardens, 12 to 14 gauge wire is strong enough to keep out smaller animals. Single loop bale ties with galvanized coatings can accelerate simple repairs. These pre-cut pieces of wire already have a wire hook in one end for faster repairs.

Best baling wire for mending livestock fences

High-tensile galvanized carrier wire is the best option for livestock fences. It comes on a large stem that can be placed on the back of a truck for easy access. Stems carry about 40,000 feet of wire depending on the gauge so you’ll be prepared for fence repairs of any size.

Best baling wire for mending electric fences

For electric fences, choose a low-gauge galvanized steel wire. Low-gauge wires carry better current, and the galvanized coating will protect your fence for a long time. We sell galvanized carrier wire by the stem.