How to repair a fence gate
- Unscrew the gates from the fence posts and remove the old hinges.
- Set the gate across two sawhorses.
- Steal a picket from an inconspicuous area of the fence and use it to replace broken gate picket.
- Hold the hinges against the 2x4 gate rail and drill 3/16-inch-diameter pilot holes for lag screws.
- Fasten the hinge to the gate rail with lag screws.
How do you fix a wooden fence?
- There likely isn’t any play in the post from side to side since it should be sandwiched tightly between two fence panels. ...
- With the fence plumb braced left to right, now it’s time to brace it front to back. ...
- Use a level to plumb the post front to back, ensuring that it remains aligned with the rest of the fence.
How to fix a sagging wooden fence gate?
- Add the top corner bracket on the inside of the frame of the gate using a screwdriver.
- Take the other corner bracket and slide the cable through it, clamping it down to attach it completely.
- Screw-in the corner bracket you just attached the cable to, to the bottom corner of the gate.
How do you fix a fence gate?
- Wooden Fences. Adding a small wooden step at the bottom of the fence gate will reduce the gap size and also add more stability to the fence. ...
- Chain Link. Installing chicken wire at the bottom of the fence is a good way to fix a gap under the gate and deter your dog from sliding under the ...
- Iron Fences. ...
- Plastic Fencing. ...
How to refurbish a wooden gate?
How to Fix a Sagging Wood Gate
- Evaluate the Cause. Before you can make adjustments, you’ll need to get to the root of the cause. ...
- Relevel Posts. If a post has shifted in one direction or another, you have a few options. ...
- Replace or Repair Hinges. If your posts are plumb, the problem may lie in the hardware. ...
- Add an Anti-Sag Device. Are your hinges and posts all working properly? ...
How do you repair a wooden garden gate?
0:065:01How to fit a garden gate - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSecurity bolt hinges latch tape measure drill and drill driver. And a trusted spirit level beforeMoreSecurity bolt hinges latch tape measure drill and drill driver. And a trusted spirit level before you fit any gate we need to make sure that the gate frame is the right size.
How do you repair a rotted gate?
0:053:59Fixing a Damaged Gate - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI set my marking gauge to the thickness of the insert. And scribed a line on both sides of the styleMoreI set my marking gauge to the thickness of the insert. And scribed a line on both sides of the style. I clamped the insert to the style.
How do you reinforce a fence gate?
2:048:04How to Fix a Sagging Fence Gate | Ask This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipInstead i'm going to use a two-part expanding foam i'll break the seal. And mix it over my knee forMoreInstead i'm going to use a two-part expanding foam i'll break the seal. And mix it over my knee for about 15 seconds. Once the foam expands and hardens it will secure the post in place.
How do you restore an old wooden gate?
0:221:56How to Refinish a Garden Gate - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou want to take the gate off the hinge. Not the hinge off the post that way it's going to be easierMoreYou want to take the gate off the hinge. Not the hinge off the post that way it's going to be easier to send and you're going to save yourself time when you re hang.
How do you fix rotten wood without replacing it?
0:033:30How to Fix Rotted Wood with Epoxy | This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd uh the bottom of the mullion post was rotted so i cut out the rot i mixed up a two part epoxy.MoreAnd uh the bottom of the mullion post was rotted so i cut out the rot i mixed up a two part epoxy.
Can I use wood filler on rotted wood?
Rotting wood can be repaired by first removing any rot from the original board or beam of wood. Once that has been done, you can fill the area with a wood-patch or polyester filler. This material will fill the area and harden to provide strength and durability.
How do you fix a heavy sagging gate?
InstructionsReplace Hinges. If the gate hinges are twisted, bent, or rusted, replace them with new hinges. ... Tighten Hinge Screws. ... Replace Hinge Screws. ... Test Gate for Square. ... Determine Direction of Steel Cable. ... Install Corner Braces. ... Add Turnbuckle. ... Attach Cable to Turnbuckle.More items...•
How do you stop fence gates from sagging?
0:547:39How To Stop a GATE from Sagging - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you don't put any braces in there the gate is going to sag and end up dragging along the groundMoreIf you don't put any braces in there the gate is going to sag and end up dragging along the ground you know are not operating correctly with the latch first thing you always want to brace furthest
Why is my fence gate sagging?
Wooden fence gates tend to sag over time due to exposure to the elements. There are several ways to repair and reinforce a sagging gate, but the easiest is by installing an Anti-Sag Gate Kit available at home centers and hardware stores. Stanley's Anti-Sag Gate Kit is available at hardware stores and home centers.
How do you fill a hole in a wooden gate?
Use wood putty to cover up any old holes that will not be reused. Dip the corner of a small putty knife into the wood putty. Spread the wood putty over the hole and repeat until the wood putty completely fills the hole. Remove excess putty by scraping it from the wood.
What is the best treatment for wooden gates?
For hardwood and pressure treated softwood gates, oil is an excellent alternative to wood preserve. It's easier to apply and helps reduce the amount of water that can penetrate the wood, preventing rot and improving longevity.
How long does a wooden gate last?
Hardwood gates will last for a minimum of 30 – 35 years and you will get many years of pleasure from them. Your hardwood gate will surpass it's softwood counterparts in terms of it's superior grain, and low knot count. A hardwood gate will look good for a very long time and give you years of enjoyable service.
Is the Post Damaged?
Reinforce posts by adding braces to support the post base. Simply drive the brace into the ground and attach the brace to the undamaged section of the post.
Is Your Fence Gate Sagging?
If the fence is sagging, reinforce it with a no-sag kit to bring it back to square.
Is Your Fence Dirty or Mildewed?
If your fence is dirty or has mildew, use a pressure washer to clean it. Let it dry completely and then apply stain.
Are Animals Digging Underneath Your Fence?
If your dog digs under your fence, you may need to address a behavioral issue at some point. In the meantime, you can create a physical barrier to prevent or discourage digging.
General Fence Maintenance
While regular maintenance won't totally eliminate the need for repairs in the future, it will help to preserve the fence and maintain its longevity.
Planning Your Fence
To help ensure longer fence life, remember these pre-installation tips:
What to do when a gate won't close?
When a gate sags or won't close properly, the first thing you should do is check its hinges. If they're bent, replace them with a heavier type of hinge. If the hinge screws are pulling loose, remove them and plug the holes by gluing in short pieces of dowel.
What are the components of a wood fence?
The components of a wood fence include vertical posts, rails that run horizontally from post to post, and screening material such as boards or pickets. Examine your fence, no matter what its type, and you can probably identify each of these elements. Rot is a wood fence's biggest enemy.
How to repair a 2x4 rail?
Step 1: Before you make repair, saturate the damaged areas and a 2x4 liberally with a wood preservative. This keeps the rot from spreading. Step 2: To make a cleat to support the rail, make sure the rail is level, then fit a 2x4 snugly underneath.
How long does it take to replace rotted screen?
Replacing broken or rotted screening takes only a few hours and simple carpentry skills. To replace rotted screening:
How to use T braces for rails?
To use T-braces in rail repair: Step 1: Level the rail, then drill pilot holes into the post and rail.
How to plumb a post?
To plumb a post, set it in in its hole, hold a level to one side, and adjust the post until the level's bubble is exactly centered. Step 7: To set intermediate posts, measure the height of each end post above grade level to ensure that both are the same height .
What to do if a post is rotted?
If the post is rotted or broken, you may be able to repair it with a pair of splints or you may have to replace the entire post. Advertisement. If the post seems intact but has come loose in its hole, a pair of stakes or, better yet, a new concrete base can steady the post. To stake a post:
How to fix a wobbly gate post?
A post that's wobbly but still solid can be fixed quite easily by packing crushed stone around its base with a sledgehammer. But when a post is rotten, as both these gateposts were, it has to be removed and replaced.
What is a good prop for a fence?
Tip: A wooden wedge cut from a piece of old fence post makes a useful prop when leveling gates and fence sections.
Is a gate good?
A: Josh Feeney replies: A gate is only as good as the posts it hangs from and latches to. When gateposts are plumb and rock solid, they will stand up to the swing and slam of each opening and closing. But when they're loose in their holes or are weakened by rot or insects, then hinges turn creaky, the latch won't catch, and the gate can't do its job.
