Gate Repair

This is just a quick video showing how to fix a sagging gate.

[@Fizzbann]

Been years since I learned about this from my grandfather, and hadnt used the knowledge since he taught me. Short video refreshed my memory and brought back some good memories. Now to attach three, maybe a 4th on the gate I just made, guy wire on some wood gates I have around my place that need them. Thanks!

[@verbalosity]

This is the right way to make an instructing video.

[@judisnow7805]

I just love, love, love these videos. It's almost as good as having a man around. Just kidding. Thank you for your help.

[@powers-san1123]

Excellent!! Thank you from a single lady homeowner. I was going to try shaving the gate the turn buckle is exactly what I need. I had no idea how, when or why they were used properly.

[@michaelbean3301]

Just built a new fence and gate for our house. Didn't know why it was sagging down. Very helpful! Thanks

[@guillermone1]

Good quick simple video. I going out right now to fix my door. I will let you know how it went.

[@whatbrettdid]

I find all American's are extremely practical and resourceful

[@bigdiddyb]

hope this helps on mine.... I have a 6 x 6 double gate the previous owner built... and it's dropped down 2" on one side, I have to lift it up to open it now...I'll comment again after this application has been done - thanks for your video

[@PaTudie]

My gate is dragging the ground. So hard to open and close. I am going to try and do this. Im 74 year old lady.

[@pauliebots]

You go girl!!

[@paulmattt]

I did it and it’s working! And wife is impressed...

[@kenstearman]

Hey, thanks. We already have a turnbuckle, but did not know about the reverse threading. Now if my Liquid Wrench works I'm ready to rock, cause our gate looks like yours did before fixing.

[@raulruiz3133]

WOW THANKS GREAT VEDIO. I DID WHAT YOU DID & IT WORKED. ALL THE WAY FROM ELGIN ILLINOIS.

[@dandamerville]

Mike -- you have mad skills! Please be my neighbor.

[@theloongs2074]

Great video and explanation. Tried it on my gate and it worked great. Thanks heaps

[@billfredericks7690]

Nice and simple Mike. Thanks for sharing this, as I was going to use a turn buckle, but you gave me ideas of how to simplify.

[@jazzminejackson9181]

Thanks for the video. I have to do this to my gate tomorrow. Thx

[@RayJohnsondrybonesconnecting]

Helpful, especially the diagonal wire and turnbuckle assembly.

[@fredyargueta5771]

Very useful video, thank you so much Mike, very appreciated

[@russellengineer3705]

Thank you Mike. Great. Very simple, I will try.

[@AbdelghafourSaidi]

thanks for the video and the detailed explanation...wondering when buying the wire what diameter should I get? 2mm or 3 ? thanks

[@doomman700]

When you build the gate, run a diagonal board from the bottom hinge to the outer side upper. That carries the weight under compression to that hinge.

[@mefedler]

I agree totally with your suggestion of how to build a gate correctly from the start. Unfortunately this gate was in place when I purchased the house. Rather than rebuilding the gate from scratch, I performed a simple retrofit to correct the design flaw.

[@kc9tns]

Great tip Mike. Thanks.

[@rkgsd]

Good to know about the "Z" pattern you mentioned. I always thought that was just for looks.

[@mosaiciste]

This should do the trick. Wondering what gauge wire you use, and if it's stainless or rust resistant?

[@mefedler]

I used wire that is used to guy a TV antenna mast. You can buy it at almost any hardware store. I don't know the exact gauge but the wire is rust resistant.

[@ryanhansen7]

That's 16 gauge

[@lolinpinguin]

Galvanized

[@lancethrustworthy]

Good video. FYI - If the camera is being tilted up or down, it's a 'tilt'. If it's being turned from side to side, it's a 'pan'.

[@powers-san1123]

Really? Do you correct everybody for everything? Must be exhausting

[@lancethrustworthy]

Yeah, that's all I do, 24/7. Problem with me trying to help? Tough. Grow up.

[@MrMrfreedom1]

@@powers-san1123 Laughing my fucking ass off. Or is that LMFAO, I corrected myself

[@VinDcator]

The physics of opposing forces. Amazing.

[@famousmidnight]

Wire clamps would have served you well. Very satisfying either way. My neighbor has a cheaply built gate drives me crazy.

[@aroncarvajal7080]

Great video Saludos

[@cslan4]

It worked like a charm thanks was so easy ! Again thanks.

[@lukegibson2195]

good stuff you did - but doesnt it also cause the gate to bend forward/ or backward ? seems the force action would cause it to buckle inward - or may it also cause it to crush inward / corner to corner ? seems it would make the gate/door out of square too ... opinions ?

[@NonverbalGroupMedia]

Hey Mike, great video explaining how a turnbuckle works. I was wondering if a turnbuckle and cable system would help us fix our door. The door itself doesn't sag and closes nicely however the corners away from the hinges are not flush with the door frame: the bottom corner hits the door frame first while the top corner sticks out. Can you or anyone tell me if a turnbuckle would help us fix our problem?

[@mefedler]

It sounds like the door is warped. I don't think a turnbuckle will solve your problem. One solution to reshape the door would be to put a small block at the bottom corner that hits first and then forcing the door to close and then leaving it that way for some extended length of time. Using this type of solution would try to reshape the door back to the correct position.

[@phillmarquart5138]

I'll give it a try

[@randomsanwhich2]

I tried this and it did help a little bit but wasn't enough to completely fix it. I only got about a 1/4" of lift if that.

[@pauliebots]

Unwrap wire and make tighter

[@maryanngeyer3364]

I've been looking for heavy duty corner brackets and when I saw your video I noticed yours look like something that would work for me. I was just wondering if you remember where you got them. Thx

[@mefedler]

The gate was in place when I purchased the house so I do not know where they came from.

[@kelleybruce44]

im doing a wooden picket fence with a 3 1\2' gate it seems the hinges are were the play is coming from because i can lift it to latch it. i know its not the wood i. reset all the horizontal runners and releved them, now all the runners are set. i rehinged it. from a flush mount spring back hing and and Corner mounted the same hinge so I then move the clip apparatus now two the new position and as soon as I remove my shim the fence dropped. the clip apparatus is is free pivoting inside a shroud that hold it in place via wood screws. with this turnbuckle idea be a means to fix my problem

[@mefedler]

Mike, if you look close you may notice that the case on my belt is empty. The phone was in on the charger when I made this video. The can crusher comment sounds like something "Tim the tool man Taylor" would say.

[@A10TOES]

I just bought everything to do this but my guy wire is too stiff to "twist". They told me you don't want guy wire to pop off while tightening so got to buy some more "clamps" for the wire. I don't want it to fly off & injure me or anyone coming into the gate.

[@davidrethmeyer3800]

Hardware stores do sell horseshoe clamps for the cables that would prevent future slippage

[@francinecorry633]

I have the same can crusher!

[@nightmusic1one27]

I’m doing this tomorrow on 8ft gates.....prayers welcome...lol

[@XvBLAZEvX]

Is there a limit on gate size this would work for? I have a 8foot wide gate sagging about 3 inch's to the point it contacts the ground. Completely missing the striker on the latch would this method work for such a large gate?

[@mefedler]

+Because it's Blaze No there is not a limit as long as the gate structure and the support are strong enough not to twist. Also the turnbuckle, cable and attachment points must be large enough and strong enough to support the load.

[@2clcarroll]

would a turn buckel work on a metal gate with wood all slats

[@mikeadrover5173]

I still like your leather-work on your belt. Nice color combination! Very nice! ~M~ Every good man needs a can-crusher…

[@b2bcto]

i have a wooden full driveway-width gate that is warped-what gauge wire would you use? It has the z-shaped wooden supports you mentioned here, and a small wheel attached at the bottom to make closing it easier but it is seriously bowed or warped at the bottom. Thanks-

[@mefedler]

I used just regular guy wire that is used to put up antennas. It can be purchased at any home building supply store. In you case a single stand of guy wire would probably not be enough. You could always double or triple the wire to make a single wire that is stronger. This fix is for gates that are sagging. In your case you state that your gate is warped. If it is warped downwards this solution might work. If it is warped left or right then this solution might make the situation worse.

[@jaberjaber4229]

Good job

[@G.Harley.Davidson]

Would this work on a metal 14' farm gate, but with the cable going to the post so it doesn't drag the ground..? I've seen cables on the top rail of s farm gate, but not one from the bottom .

[@mefedler]

Yes it could work if the gate dragging on the ground is caused by the gate itself sagging. The cable only corrects the sag in the gate. It will not work if the cause of the gate dragging is due to the support post tilting due to the weight of the gate. If the support is tilting, you might be able to correct the problem by running a cable from the top of the tilting support post to the base of the next post.

[@G.Harley.Davidson]

Mike Fedler awesome! Thanks

[@globeforever9777]

If the gate had been made correctly in the first place with a wood brace it would not have sagged and there would have been no need for this Heath Robinson fix.

[@pauliebots]

Gates ALWAYS move, gravity son.

[@mikeadrover5173]

Hay who does not like tim the tool-man... Enjoy the week-end. Also I would put a motor and a feed-hoper on your can-crusher gnurt-grunt ~M~

[@mefedler]

Thanks for your comment.

[@m.f.47]

I think you should have raised the hinges only few millimeters on the left pole.

[@pauliebots]

Yeah but now he can always adjust as gravity and decay do their thing.

[@fenixayala]

Good tips

[@MaikaClarke]

What gauge guidewire are you using? Thanks in advance.

[@mefedler]

It was old antenna guy wire that is made up of four strands. The outer diameter is about 120 thousandths of an inch.

[@MaikaClarke]

@@mefedler thanks. I ended up getting 3/16" Wire Rope for KT2500/KT3000 Winch. Hopfully that works and I didn't go over board or under too much.

[@TheChico1332]

I have a problem with my 10 ft. x 6ft wooden gates bowing at the top. I do not have sagging. That was fixed with support straps. But, I'm just real frustrated with the top bowing of gates. Btw, they bow outward..Thanks a bunch to anyone who can help..

[@mefedler]

How about putting a triangle brace at the top on both side with two cables. One on each side. Each cable would run from one end of the gate across the peak of the brace and then to the other end of the gate. That would allow you to stiffen the top rail and allow you to adjust the force on either side to meet your needs.

[@fenixayala]

Nice camera

[@terrylock1942]

They are actually both right hand threads, just that ones on top and the other on bottom.

[@pauliebots]

It would never tighten.

[@PatHogan-kg1dr]

Just put a clamp wire on it

[@researchandbuild1751]

Turnbuckles just twist the door , causing other problems. They aren't a good solution, unfortunately.

[@mefedler]

Well, this video was made seven years ago and the turnbuckle solution has worked well for all that time. There is always more than one way to solve a problem. Post your solution so we can see the perfect solution to this problem.

[@researchandbuild1751]

@@mefedler thats good to hear! On my door is started to twist. Probably shoddy construction overall , then

[@icu469]

U probably would not have to do this if the gate was built correctly in the 1st place. U need at least one piece of wood added to the frame going diagonally across from the top left to the bottom right to form triangles in the frame. Triangles are the strongest engineering shape. A square is never used even with brackets in all the corners. Obviously built by someone who didn't know how to build a gate.

[@mefedler]

Obviously, that's why I had to repair it.

[@icu469]

I tried this using 16 gauge galvanized wire and a turnbuckle it's a five foot wide by 5 feet high wooden gate but the wire broke when tightening the turnbuckle. Doesn't help that the old hinges are visibly bending and the post they attach too has some movement as well. Have to go with thicker wire, maybe aircraft cable and change the hinges