Check the gate post first. Tightening hinges will not last if the post itself is moving. If the post is sound, the repair may involve adjusting hinges, renewing fixings, correcting the brace, trimming a swollen edge or resetting the latch.
Start by watching what moves
Open the gate slightly and lift the closing edge. If the whole post moves, the post or footing is the main problem. If the post stays still but the gate twists, look at the hinges, joints and diagonal brace. A gate that works in dry weather but catches after rain may also have swollen timber or soft ground beneath it.
Common gate problems
- Loose hinge screws or worn hinge pins.
- A timber post rotting or moving at ground level.
- A gate frame that has dropped out of square.
- A brace fitted in the wrong direction or no longer holding the frame.
- A latch that was positioned before the gate settled.
- Timber swelling, warping or rubbing on a raised path.
When adjustment is enough
Small movement can often be corrected by renewing fixings, packing or repositioning hinges, adjusting the latch, or trimming a minor high point. The gate still needs enough clearance to move without scraping as the seasons change.
When a post or gate needs replacing
If the post is rotten, the frame joints have opened widely or the gate is badly warped, repeated adjustment is unlikely to last. Replacement can be more economical than repeatedly lifting and refixing a gate that has lost its shape.
Photographs that show the cause
Send one photograph of the closed gate from the front, another showing the hinges and post, and a close-up of the latch and the point where the gate catches. A short video of the post or frame moving can also be useful where the problem is difficult to show in a still image.
Mention whether the gate has changed suddenly or gradually and whether the problem is worse after rain. That helps separate a simple adjustment from post movement or timber swelling.
Common questions
Why does my gate close in summer but stick in winter?
Timber can swell in damp weather, and wet ground can move beneath posts. A small seasonal change may be adjustable, but persistent movement needs the post and frame checked.
Can an anti-sag kit fix any gate?
No. It can help a sound gate frame that has dropped, but it will not stabilise a rotten or moving post and may not correct badly warped timber.
Should a new gate have a gap underneath?
Yes. It needs enough clearance for the ground surface, drainage and seasonal movement without leaving an excessive opening.