HowTo Install Anti-Sag Gate Kit to Keep Wood Fence Door from Dragging

How to install an anti-sagging gate kit to keep a wooden gate on a fence from rubbing on ground. A simple tension line and turnbuckle between the corners lifts up the bottom corner of the door. My fence didn't drag at first, but over the first few months the corner farthest from the hinge started to drag against the cement footing for one of the posts.
Update: I attempted to fix the gate warping with another turnbuckle kit and "True Latch" steel brace (spoiler: didn't really work): • Attempting to Fix Warp...

[@basher5107]

Wow, Way too many people just beating up someone for fixing a tiny gate. It’s good to see someone taking care of there property and doing a good job,little more 👍 and less “your doing it wrong”

[@Days1485]

Lift the gate with a wedge and then tighten the turn buckle

[@Joe_Friday]

What will that do?

[@kenziebrowning4107]

@@Joe_Friday Less work to get it to the right tension

[@MiguelOjedaJr]

Aka make it square first then tighten

[@NunYa953]

@@kenziebrowning4107 it's also safer.

[@jzxwood]

Thanks my friend. Had installed one of these and forgot about that little trick! 👍

[@williamkyle5363]

The Heavy Duty Rod instructions give direction to remove any current bracing. This would allow parallel vertical movement of the gate pieces. The gate still has the corner bracing at the top and bottom and does not allow this to happen. This is probably causing the gate to warp out. Suggest taking those braces off and try again....hopefully cures the warp.

[@assocpress]

Thank you. Always nice watching someone else do something before doing it myself. I have the same exact kit.

[@daniellaverty1359]

Next time.. put something under the gate to get it the right height, then put tension on the cable and tighten cable clamps.. that way you get more out of the tensioner.

[@Houssam1980]

Thank you very much I followed your instructions step by step and it worked flawlessly and yes that kit was available at home Depot for $15 as you mentioned my gate works perfect now!!

[@MrKenf60]

This kit is $4 and change in Walmart

[@mbbrooks123]

Thank you for your time, I hope they have some like this still. I like the look of the design of the kit pieces and I hope they still make them. Thought I wonder if you could use a ratchet strap to get the door straight then install the kit so there are fewer issues with getting slack out of the cable. Another thought if " we " were to lift up the door with a flat pry bar then slide wood under the door so " we " would have less slack to deal with. I hope some of the input also helps us.

[@righteousredneck777]

I have the same issue with my gate. I installed a gate wheel today...that helped a lot. Works like a shock absorber as it rolls across the ground. Going to get the sag kit to take out the remaining bit of sag. Great video! Easy to do. Thanks man! Had 2 major Hurricanes this year and my fence is now rebuilt. My gate is pretty heavy duty. This kit will definitely fix my issue. Thanks again and have a very Merry Christmas.

[@ScottDriscoll]

Do you have to have pretty flat ground for the wheel to work? I actually replaced the cable with a steel brace, and it seems to be working better: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5yTooF4bJ2rrKM

[@ProleDaddy]

Using a wheel, the unevenness of the ground will keep working your gate's joints/wood/fasteners apart over time until it's a loose or broken mess.

[@teddyboy252]

Good job

[@JacobMichael75]

Perfect tutorial. I just bought the same kit from Walmart and there was no instructions included. Thank you!

[@Serpico1152]

Yes, same here (no decent instructions or illustrations) I was going to check out some KZbin videos first but figured it out on my own after a few minutes and saw this video afterwards, I bought the same exact kit at Walmart too (made in China) but branded "Hyper Tough" likewise for gates up to 6 ft. high X 4 ft. wide, but it still worked perfect on my 4' high X 5 1/2 ft wide gate with about 18" of cable to spare, and was a real bargain being $4.98 about 1/3rd the cost of the Home depot one.

[@againstallodds404]

Just bought this yesterday and was looking at the instructions like what in the world.. until I saw this video. Thank you.

[@harcharansingh7609]

Cheap and best solution ever thanks!!!!

[@lasvegasjer]

Thanks. We are installing tomorrow.

[@dr.dmitry.sokolov]

Thanks, will give this a go on my 6 ft gate.

[@MrSSlice]

A brace bottom right to top left would of helped with sag

[@staytru5563]

Just use 2 steel posts to avoid the issue long term. No point in using wood for support eventually it’ll probably still start sagging or have some more sort of wear and tear. 2 steel/metal posts would be best for support imo. Good video for those who don’t want to spend that kind of money. Props to you good stuff

[@mattfarus1]

It's not the post he's fixing

[@James_Bee]

The post is the main issue, however. That is what OP is trying to convey. These kits are a temp fix for a different, long term issue. For example, the company that did my gate did not use steel posts and I have a double gate about 10' across and it is AWFUL. The gates sag on both sides, but it's because the posts are wood and not supported very well. Either way, these kits CAN help, even with steel posts, as they can relieve stress on the posts.

[@GetRealBaby]

@@James_Bee With a 10' metal or wooden gate, the pressure on the posts is going to make the posts sag, which is why your posts should be 1/3 buried in the ground and in cement. An 8' post should be buried in cement at least 2 1/2'. Even then, if the gate is heavy, that may not be enough.

[@ufaxpyro4200]

Nice I also use these on vinyl gates. Thanks for the vid 👍

[@slimmyhendrix82]

You got a homemade velvet Elvis painting on your bathroom ceiling

[@ufaxpyro4200]

@@slimmyhendrix82 I sure do

[@slimmyhendrix82]

@@ufaxpyro4200 I ain't gonna tell nobody else tho

[@aroncarvajal7080]

Thanks for sharing amigo ☺️

[@-PORK-CHOP-]

This is now warping the gate and will permanently damage the gate, remove it and put in a proper timber brace.

[@ScottDriscoll]

Oh if I had read your comment before installing! Turned my gate into a potato chip. I made another video about trying to fix with a brace: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXWlkGyDnJVkp9k

[@bajashoresrealty8641]

Great!!!

[@williebO4]

Thank you so much

[@MOUSEBOWEN]

Awesome video thank you so much for sharing

[@ScottDriscoll]

thanks, hope it helped.

[@importpappa]

I need this. Great video. Thank you!!!

[@Z-Ack]

Anti sag gate crookeding kit..

[@researchandbuild1751]

Turnbuckle kits just don't work. The cable tension just ends up "twisting" the door instead

[@ScottDriscoll]

A year later, my gate is definitely twisted a bit. Any other alternative suggestions? I was thinking about putting another turnbuckle from the other corners.

[@karljohnson3892]

You ever thought about unbolting the gate and just cutting like a half inch to an inch off the bottom? Thats what I had to do to mine to prevent ongoing twisting.

[@gwickersham1]

I had the same problem. My gate just twists and doesn't raise at all. I'm afraid to keep tightening it and causing cracks in the wood.

[@dontblameme6328]

The problem is the gate is not framed correctly. There should be a 2x that runs from the top of the latch side to the bottom of the hinge side to transfer more if the weight to the hinge post. You can retro fit it by taking all the pickets off and putting a 2x on.

[@-MOYST-]

it would seem like the cable system would be more effective if the top anchor location was on the post not the gate itself.

[@adamdille6031]

Never seen that before I would lifted the gate and added another hinge

[@greatsoutherntrendkill79]

You kinda messed up in your gate design. There aren’t any braces installed. You know when you look at a barn door and the cross pieces that make the |X|

[@danissac7330]

It's nice but use 2 of them to get the gate balance

[@Phelpy333]

Thanks!

[@ZhouTai08]

Is there a fix for the bowing effect on the gate?

[@ScottDriscoll]

Even after I removed the wire, my gate was still pretty bowed: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXWlkGyDnJVkp9k Somebody suggested added a cable to the other side of the gate, but no idea how well that would work if it's already twisted.

[@katarinaramos97]

Seems simple enough.

[@raymondpontremoli2489]

I just watched my neighbor do a double gate and watching him was extremely painful. I offered assistance so he wouldn't waste $200 in wood and 5 days "screwing with it" but he knew it ALL. So, I went home, pulled up a lawn chair, glass of ice tea and had the best time watching this cluster flop. More neighbors showed up all with different tips so in the end he had the proverbial "Zebra"....The horse designed by a committee.

[@autumn1231]

I had a neighbor that was a refugee from Bhutan. Total dumbass. You couldn't tell him anything. He fucked up everything he touched.

[@robertmcclair1810]

Your neighbour has a fcuking 4rseh0le as a neighbour !

[@Z-Ack]

Yea i agree.. i just installed a gate myself and watched all the others who got a gate hire somebody and its not like everybody just builds gates and is a fuckin expert on the shit and it does get frustrating when shit doesnt work out the way you planned. If it was as hot as when i built mine and a neighbor pulled up a chair to watch me struggle id put a brick through a window on his car once a month until he figured out it was me doing it then id put a brick across his dick suckers..

[@lesleydodd1654]

put another on the other two corners and you can keep that twist out of the gate panel.

[@ScottDriscoll]

So I tried that :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXWlkGyDnJVkp9k

[@Jose-up8vp]

Hello Scott, I have a vinyl gate, would this work with my gate?

[@ScottDriscoll]

Seems like it would, but warning, this made my door a bit of a potato chip

[@dns938]

Put another turn buckle going from the other corners it will fix it

[@ScottDriscoll]

I tried that, not much luck at unwarping: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXWlkGyDnJVkp9k

[@lesleydodd1654]

@@ScottDriscoll someone mentioned above, block under to lift your gate just a hair above what you want and tighten the cables at that point. Don't depend on the cables and turnbuckles to pull it to where it needs to be. That will cause the twist.

[@msbosslady1029]

How long is the cable. My gate is 10 feet.

[@ScottDriscoll]

This one says it can be used on gates up to 6ft x 4ft: www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-Anti-Sag-Gate-Kit-15469/202042235 the cable is 90in (but needs to loop, so it won't work if you need a full 90" diagonal).

[@claudiacanales2662]

What do you do when the gate curls due to tightning?

[@ScottDriscoll]

It's kind of a reason not to use this type of fix... here's my attempt: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXWlkGyDnJVkp9k

[@MrKenf60]

This kit is $4 and change in Walmart

[@bhazen5510]

Helpful video. Just a comment - shouldn’t gate (strap) hinges be installed flat across two surfaces? As in flat across 4x4 post and gate surface, to operate efficiently? They appear to be installed at a 90 degree angle.

[@ScottDriscoll]

I’m not sure! It was like that when I got it. What do you mean by efficiently?

[@bhazen5510]

Just that the gate can’t open all the way around cause the butt end of the hinge should be attached to the back-facing side of the post. Just a thought. No biggie if it works for you. I enjoyed the video!!

[@ScottDriscoll]

@@bhazen5510 that makes total sense, might consider changing the hinges... thanks!

[@bhazen5510]

@@ScottDriscoll great video. Keep ‘em coming!!

[@GetRealBaby]

I agree with you; the hinges should be installed in a direct line, not at a 90 degree angle. As it is, his gate can only open inwards 1/4 swing but should be able to open outward 180 degrees. Poor planning.

[@darkkenzi]

will it work for a very similar shed door?

[@comeandtakeit82]

Did you get an answer to this? I have to do a shed door this weekend

[@fishfishfish9837]

I follow alot of diy you tubers and craftsman. Your videos are great...However, I would suggest you work on your transitions throughout the video...They are a bit abrupt. Great DIY video. 👍

[@lp1119]

Why is your gate longer than the fence probably why it was also the sag

[@gwickersham1]

Thank for the video. Unfortunately, on my gate, the kit only causes the gate to twist as yours did, but does not raise at all. :-(

[@ScottDriscoll]

The extra cost (~$60) for a metal brace might be worth it then: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5yTooF4bJ2rrKM Hopefully your gate untwists when you remove the wire--mine stayed in its potato chip shape even after I removed the wire.

[@GetRealBaby]

I'm sure by now you've realized that you need a different plan than what is shown in this video. My suggestion is simple: attach your cable to the top of the fence post on one end and to the top of your gate at the other end. Use the tightener to raise the gate. It's important that you also allow the post-side to swivel as the gate opens and closes. Good luck.

[@626jonny]

How has it been holding up?

[@ScottDriscoll]

It kind of warped the gate, see my folloup vids in the description

[@626jonny]

@@ScottDriscoll how is that Amazon bar holding up? Because I have two doors I need to fix

[@ScottDriscoll]

@@626jonny yeah it's good, but the warping damage was already done...

[@TheClintB]

Why would anyone take a lesson on fixing gate sagging from a guy that built THAT gate? That gate was basically built to sag. It's like he wanted it to sag. No cross brace, and only those half-ass 45° corner braces on 2 corners? I'm no expert, but common sense should have told him that gate was terrible. Obviously 172k people took a lesson from this video, but I'm sure most of them were amateur DIY gate builders, so I feel for them. Luckily, this is just a video of how to follow a back of the package installation guide, and I don't think he could mess it up too badly.

[@ScottDriscoll]

I shouldn't have said "installed the gate", gate came with the house, but worked fine for a year. Bought from a flipper so no surprise. Also, please see my follow-up videos in the description--this wire only solved the problem for a few months, then turned the door into a potato chip.

[@TheClintB]

@@ScottDriscoll Hey, thanks for taking criticism the way it should be taken, rather than getting upset that I said something that isn't the nicest of compliments. I am so happy to hear that you didn't make that gate. Like I said, I'm no expert, but I've made several gates, and I've done slightly more than the minimal amount of research that should be done to know how to properly build them, and that is a terrible gate. I probably would have really roasted it if I had known you didn't make it yourself. I didn't want to just be a dick. That's really interesting about what the wire sag kit did to the gate. I just installed one on a brand new gate I built for the deck I just built at my place, because the gate is pretty wide. Because of the design I wanted to do, I couldn't use a cross brace. I had to do those 45° corner braces (in all 4 corners! Haha), and because I knew that isn't the best design for strength, I also added 90° metal braces on the 4 backside corners, and 4 90° metal braces inside of each corner. Knowing the gate was wide, and was going to be somewhat heavy, I went ahead and added the wire sag kit, and a 1" wheel under the end, that is only meant to avoid damage if someone pushes down on the open gate too hard. The wheel should never touch the ground if everything is working properly. I want to say that I built the gate sturdy enough to keep the sag kit from turning it into a potato chip, but I am definitely going to watch the other videos you're talking about now, and double-check my gate. Thanks for the update. I'm new to the channel, but I think your comment is enough to keep me around. Good luck.

[@ScottDriscoll]

Somebody else suggested putting wires on both sides of a gate to prevent potato chipping, but i never tried. The true latch thing seemed to at least stop the "chipping" for me. Good luck!

[@temujinkhan6326]

Biggest issue is the gate not properly framed

[@Ste-_.]

What’s with those hinges 😂😂

[@BlairMaynard]

I think those corner braces you have are not screwed correctly. They should have pocket screws going through the longer face (4-inch sides) so the screws "pull" the whole 2x4 ends into the framing 2x4s. The screws going down from the narrow side of the corner braces won't pull the braces into the framing wood as well. I would remove those braces, use your anti-sag cable to square it up and reinstall them with new pocket screws using a Kreg pocket jig.

[@ScottDriscoll]

Yeah that would probably help. I saw some other videos showing how to make a better/stiffer gate from the beginning using pocket screws. I wonder if just putting some L-shaped metal at the corners would help, too. Several people have suggested just making a better door in the first place.

[@shondahansen7594]

I think I need a longer wirer. It doesn't seem to be long enough

[@ronray4294]

I just have a 1,000 gate to lift😮

[@raymondpontremoli2489]

There are so many problems with the design and build of this gate I don't even know where to start except to say..."fire wood". Only if its non-treated wood...Do not burn Pressure Treated wood. If you would have watched a few KZbin videos there are plenty of gates on here "done the right way"....The gate has to be designed for the load of overhang moment. First an overlay joint in all corners (glued and screwed) . Second a diagonal board from the bottom corner where the hinge is to the top corner of the gate. The load is transferred thru the diagonal putting it in compression to the corner and then re-directed back vertical up the post.

[@Charlemagne1367]

Partially correct. With only a compression brace, bottom hinge side to top latch side, even the best built wooden fence will eventually sag. That is where a tension brace, top hinge side to bottom latch side comes in.

[@johnhelton457]

Woodglut is a good solution for every woodworker.

[@chrisweb4070]

I'm sorry but who built the gate

[@powderpuff1964]

no one built that gate that's for sure

[@dannyhogi4953]

Dont look nice tho and if you pay bit more and get a gate made with mortise and tenant joint that wont happen

[@janeromnicki6598]

This time I will do it manually with the help of Woodglut designs.

[@pmcload]

Sorry, but your geometry is all wrong. You DO NOT want to tighten from corner to corner of the gate. Of course it warps! Rather, attach the upper right portion of the cable to the 4x4 post. This way you are actually lifting the gate upward, not "crushing" the two corners of the gate itself. Get it?

[@ScottDriscoll]

Wouldn't that pull the door open?

[@nicolegreenan]

This should go on the fence not the gate itself. It is meant to pull the top of the 4x4 post over which in turn lifts the gate

[@nak4651]

Ok, first of all, thanks for posting. Secondly, the anti-sag gate kit apparently works to satisfaction. Now the gate, being skeewampus, looks like scheit. Just sayin'.

[@dontblameme6328]

The root cause is the poorly built gate.

[@ryannance3197]

If the gate wasn't so terrible you wouldn't have needed that

[@eduardovillalobos6756]

5:17 why does he angle the camera as if the cable this is an anime and we just got an underskirt panty shot

[@janepatton8100]

I know we in a quarantine, but you need to get out more.

[@thedobermangang3503]

that cable is junk no good dont wast your time...

[@Jesusiskingamen1]

Wow poor design on the gate 😂