Symptoms
- Gate scrapes the ground when opening or closing
- Gate hangs at a visible downward angle
- Gap between the gate and latch post is uneven top to bottom
Likely causes
- CommonLoosened hinge screws or boltsGate weight puts constant stress on hinges, which can work loose over time.
- CommonHinge post leaning or shifting in the groundWood posts can rot at the base or shift due to soil movement, throwing off the gate's alignment.
- PossibleGate frame not square (racking)Without a diagonal brace, gate frames can shift into a parallelogram shape over time.
What to do
- Tighten all hinge screws and bolts first, since this is the fastest and most common fix.
- Check the hinge post for lean or looseness in the ground; a leaning post will need to be reset and re-set in concrete.
- If the gate frame itself has racked out of square, install a diagonal turnbuckle brace from the top hinge corner to the bottom latch corner.
- Tighten the turnbuckle gradually until the gate frame pulls back into a square shape and clears the ground evenly.
- Add a support wheel to the latch-side bottom corner of large or heavy gates to reduce ongoing hinge stress.
- Lubricate hinges once adjustments are complete to keep movement smooth.
Tools and parts
- Screwdriver or drill
- Level
- Turnbuckle gate brace kit
Gate turnbuckle brace kitSearch: “gate anti-sag turnbuckle kit”
Gate support wheelSearch: “gate support caster wheel”
When to call a pro
If the hinge post is rotted at the base or leaning significantly, a fencing contractor can reset or replace the post in concrete.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.