Fix a sagging gate that drags or unlatches
A gate that drags or won't latch is usually a hinge-side post that moved or a racked frame. Here's how to diagnose it and rehang the gate so it swings clean.
What you'll learn
- Why gates sag (post movement, racked frame, loose hinges)
- How to install an anti-sag cable kit in 30 minutes
- When to rebuild the gate frame vs. adjust hinges
- Why stainless hardware on coastal gates matters
Step by step
- Check whether the hinge post has moved, use a 4-foot level.
- Tighten hinge screws. If screw holes are stripped, use longer screws.
- Install an anti-sag kit: cable from top-hinge corner to bottom-latch corner.
- Tighten the turnbuckle until the gate squares up.
- Adjust latch strike so the gate closes with a clean click.
If the hinge-side post is rotted at grade, no anti-sag kit will hold. The post needs a steel insert or replacement. That's a pro-level repair but often same-day.
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