How To Repair A Wooden Gate

Wooden fence gates tend to sag over time due to exposure to the elements.

How to repair a wooden gate. Wood is especially prone to expanding and contracting over time. Install eye screws in the upper inner corner of the gate and diagonally in the lower outer corner. It s a good idea to apply stain or sealer soon after installation to protect your wood fence. Wood and bamboo fences.

Place the gate on a flat surface infill side down. 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. Attach cables to each corner bracket and then to the two ends of a turnbuckle. Use tools you have around the house to complete the repair and add some flair and creativity.

Wedge scrap lumber under the gate to prevent stress on the hinges as you remove it from the gate post. To make your wooden gate look new again remove it and refurbish it with new fasteners paint or stain. Bolt on the hinges mount the hinges to the gate with carriage bolts washers and nuts. As you tighten the turnbuckle the latch side of the gate rises.

Tighten the nuts securely with a socket wrench. If you d like to cosmetically fix the scars left in the old screw locations you can fill the holes with wood putty. You want to oppose the twist or sag so if the gate is twisted toward the inside put the screws on the outside. Fortunately there s a product that can raise it up.

Weather either dry or wet can cause sagging splitting or warping. In most cases it s best to insert the bolts from the outside of the gate so that the washers and nuts are on the inside. Slide the hinge right to left until the gate is plumb. Follow the specific instructions for your type of wood for how soon you can apply.

Depending of the size and nature of the malfunction repairing a wooden gate is a simple job that doesn t require an expert or even an assistant. Attach a metal bracket to the upper corner of the gate on the hinge side. Mount another bracket diagonally at the lower corner of the gate on the latch side.