A sagging gate is one of the facts of life when you’ve got a wooden fence around your yard. Natural materials swell and contract over time as environmental conditions change. Fasteners back out and gate hardware corrodes, leading to a dragging, sagging gate.
However, you don’t have to live with your malfunctioning gate. A few simple fixes can help your gate get off the ground. Whether replacing hinges, adjusting a gate post, or installing a Gate Saver Pro 2, getting your gate back to normal is easy.
Let’s take a look at some common causes and possible solutions for your sagging gate.
Causes of a Sagging Gate
Even if your gate doesn’t get much use, regular inspections make catching problems early easy. Gates that don’t open and close properly or drag against the post or the ground are clear indicators that you’ve got an issue that needs addressing.
Hinges
The hinges are the first place to look when you’ve got a sagging gate. Especially with wood or vinyl gates, using the correct type of hinges can make all the difference. Gates undergo significant forces through opening and closing. If your hinges aren’t rated for the weight of your gate, they can pull out, bend, or snap.
Weather can also cause an issue through moisture infiltrating the hinge assembly. Corrosion and rust weaken metal parts and can be the source of your sagging gate. Instead of using hinges that can’t stand the test of time, upgrade with one of the Nationwide Industries® Gate Hardware Kits. They have everything you need to install a high-quality hinge and latch set in one bag.
Structural Integrity
Another common problem behind a sagging gate is poor structural integrity. Gates should be square and plumb to operate normally. As the ground settles or the weather changes, wood gates can fall out of plumb and begin to sag.
Using the correct fasteners in gate construction can help you avoid structural issues over time. Grip-Rite® DeckForce® exterior wood screws are designed to withstand the elements and prevent backing out. With aggressive threads and wedge lock heads, they’ll keep your gate holding on strong.
Corner Post Problems
Corner posts undergo a lot of stress when your gate opens and closes. The constant movement can cause your corner post to sag if installed incorrectly. If the post isn’t sunk deep enough, frost heave can force it out of the ground. Termites or rot can erode a wood post to the point that it can’t support your gate any longer.
Gate Maintenance Checklist
As mentioned, periodic inspections can help you identify potential problems with your gate hardware. Here are the areas to pay special attention to when examining your gate.
Check latches
Inspecting the latching mechanism on your gate is important to maintain working order. Ensure the latching arm or striker bolt is properly aligned with the catch. If it’s too high or too low, adjust it so the latching mechanism works as designed.
To help with this process, Nationwide Industries® Gate Saver Pro 2.0 provides the needed tension to lift a saggy gate panel.
Cleaning and inspecting panels
Using a pressure washer or hose with a sprayer, clean your gate and inspect for pest or weather damage. Removing the dirt and grime from the past season can reveal hidden damage. Replace pickets or panels as needed to maintain structural integrity in your wood or vinyl gate.
Lubricate moving parts
One of the easiest tasks to miss when doing your regular maintenance and inspections is lubrication. Gate hinges need to be greased at lease once a year, and during an annual inspection is the perfect time. If your gate gets more use than normal, you might need to lubricate more frequently.
Some gate hinges are designed to be low or no-maintenance and may not need lubrication. Check with your manufacturer to ensure proper usage.
Nationwide Industries® Gate Saver Pro 2.0 Prevents Sagging Gates
Sagging gates can reduce the serviceable life of your gate hardware and cause damage to the structure of your fence. Whether it has to do with your hinges, post, or structural integrity of the gate itself, fixing it now is in your best interest.
Using Nationwide Industries® Gate Saver Pro 2.0 is a fast and effective method for fixing most gate sag problems. Easily adjustable without special tools, you can keep your gate functioning at peak performance for a lifetime.
Find out Where to Buy your own Gate Saver Pro 2.0.