How to Fix a Sagging Gate
"Did you know you can often repair a gate, rather than replacing it? Today we’re sharing a five-step guide for how to fix a sagging gate."
Materials
Tools
Gates are one of the most common things found in a yard, and they receive a lot of use. Over time, they can sag, fail to latch, or simply degrade with age. Did you know you can often repair a gate, rather than replacing it? Today we’re sharing a five-step guide for how to fix a sagging gate. Before you get started, you might want to read our post on when to repair your gate to know if this is the right step for you.
For this project we used an Anti-sag Gate Kit, which includes brackets, cable, a turnbuckle and fittings. Check to see if the length of cable included in the kit is long enough for your gate's diagonal measurement. These kits will work for most gates, but it's best to check your measurements before starting.
Step 1: Install upper bracket
Screw one of the two brackets from the anti-sag gate kit into place at the upper corner of the sagging gate on the hinge-side of the gate. Fasten it to a sturdy part of the gate's framework.
Note: On our gate, the upper gate hinge was in the way, so, with the gate supported, we detached the upper hinge and reinstalled it in a slightly lower spot, which then allowed us to mount our corner bracket.
Step 2: Install lower bracket
Screw the second bracket to the lower corner of the gate's frame on the latch side.
Step 3: Place turnbuckle
Unscrew both ends of the turnbuckle to make it as long as possible, and hook one end through the hole in the upper bracket.
Step 4: Attach cable
Using the cable clips, make a loop at one end of the cable to slip over the upper hook of the turnbuckle. Thread the cable through the hole in the lower bracket, pull it taut, and fasten it back on itself using the other cable clip. Cut off excess cable using wire cutters.
Step 5: Adjust turnbuckle
The cross section of this turnbuckle is a hexagon, which allows you to turn it with a spanner, or adjustable wrench. Take up the slack in the cable by turning the turnbuckle by hand or with a wrench. Now, tighten or loosen the cable to make sure your gate swings properly and latches easily. That's it!
Stay tuned for more gate repair posts!
