One common challenge that anyone who installs fencing may have to deal with is putting part of their fence installation on sloping ground.

Unless the installation is done correctly, the entire structure could become unstable and fall apart after a short time.

You may also lose the attractive uniformity that is important when putting up any type of property barrier.

Whether you are installing your own fences or plan to hire a service to do it for you, make sure you use one of these methods if you encounter sloping ground.

Dealing with Sloping Ground

When putting in fencing, it is not uncommon to face the problem of uneven ground.

Sometimes dealing with this issue is as easy as just putting in the posts at a slight angle to keep the straight line of the structure.

Other times when putting in fences along a significant grade, you need to do something more to retain the integrity of the structure.

A fence should never lean nor should it follow the slope.

Installations done on sloping ground must be done using two specific techniques to keep the fence line straight: raking or stepping.

Installing Raked Fencing

Raking or racking is one technique used to keep sections of a fence upright even when the installation line goes down a slope.

To keep the horizontal line of the fence parallel with the ground, two things must be done.

  1. The fence installation must be done at an angle so it stays parallel with all the other posts.
  2. The horizontal sections between the posts must be installed at an angle so they meet the upright posts in all the right places.

Since the goal is to keep any vertical bars or components on the raked sections at the same angle as the straight sections that are perpendicular to the ground, it may be necessary to rack or adjust the panel to accommodate this.

Unfortunately, while there is usually little issue making these adjustments with horizontal rail type fences, types that have vertical components or come in pre-assembled panels can be harder to modify.

Unless the panels are pre-made for installation at an angle or can be racked before installation, you will likely need to use the step method to maintain a look of uniformity down the slope.

Installing Stepped Fences

When a raked installation is impossible without losing the uniformity and integrity of the fencing, the second option is a stepped fence installation.

This type of installation begins with the same process of first putting in the posts on a slight angle so they remain parallel with all the other posts.

Instead of racking the horizontal panels that go between them, stepping involves putting in sections parallel with the top post so they meet the bottom post a little higher up.

This produces an angular space underneath the panel while the panel itself remains straight.

The step technique is used all the way down the line until it meets level ground again.

Although stepped panels may not look quite as streamlined as raked panels, it is the best way to make sure that a sound and secure structure maintains at least some uniformity.

In General

The solution for correctly installing fencing on a slope depends on the degree of the slope and type of fence you want to install.

Some fences can be raked and installed at an angle, while others cannot and must be installed in steps.

In either case, the goal is to keep your fence installation sturdy while also keeping a uniform look down the slope!

Need Help With Slope Fencing in College Station TX?

Contact College Station Fencing To Discuss Sloping Fence Options!

Call 979-553-6447!