Have you noticed your old, rusty gates start to sag?
The forces of fate and gravity can make for a scary duo. This frightening confluence can affect your entire life. Your home is going to be one of the biggest investments you ever make. Thus, it stands to reason that you’ll do everything you can to keep it safe. At some point, though, all fences and gates begin to wear out. Have you noticed your old, rusty gates start to sag? We can show you how to prevent this nightmare from coming true!
Why They Sag to Begin With
Gates are unstable. Even if this fact doesn’t seem readily apparent, that doesn’t mean you can ignore the problem. Only one end of the gate is fixed to a post; the other side, by design, needs to be more mobile. That’s so it can swing open and swing closed again. Some gates will drop down (retract) and then go back up. Warped fence materials could be the real culprit here. Perhaps the hinges have come loose, or the hinges weren’t placed correctly at all. It’s also possible that the gates’ structural integrity has been compromised, or the posts have fallen out of their normal position. Posts are supposed to be parallel to one another – so if they aren’t, then the gates attached to them will lean and sag.
How to Identify the Issue
Due to their composition, wooden gates tend to sag more than their metallic counterparts. That said, metal gates can sag and lean as well. Moisture damage can weaken low-quality wood since it will become twisted and distorted. As such, the wood won’t be as resilient as it once was. Fence post installation techniques matter; if the hole is too shallow, then the post isn’t supported. Likewise, diagonal gate structural bracing can break down. Without that bracing, the problem of sagging gates is much more noticeable.
What You Can Do in Response
Figure out why the gates are sagging in the first place. This flaw could be due to the gate mechanism’s weight or because the posts themselves are not aligned correctly. Reinforcing the posts can rectify this problem. Ensure you have a reliable post hole digger and enough concrete mix to reset and stabilize the posts.
Hercules Fence of Virginia Beach
Call Hercules Fence of Norfolk and Virginia Beach for your fencing needs. We have decades of experience in the fencing industry. We can offer you the best in ornamental steel, chain link, wooden fences, and more. Our dedicated teams of fencing professionals are highly trained, skilled, and experienced in providing quality fence installations of any type. We’ll work with you to find a fence that best suits your needs and budget.
Contact Hercules Fence of Virginia Beach at (757) 321-6700, drop-in, or contact us on our website to learn more about fall and winter fence construction! You can keep up to date with offers and information from Hercules Fence of Virginia Beach on Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
