The short answer

  • A sagging gate has one of three problems: loose or worn hinges, a frame that has dropped out of square, or a gate post that has moved.
  • Fix the post first if it leans, then re-square the frame with a diagonal brace, then replace worn hardware.
  • If the frame is rotted or split, a new gate is the better fix; ours start at $450 in pressure treated pine.

A wood gate sags when something in the system gives: the hinges, the gate frame, or the post the gate hangs on. Find which one has moved and the fix is straightforward.

Find the Cause

CheckWhat it means
The hinge post leans toward the gateThe post has moved; the gate cannot hang straight on it
The gap at the top of the latch side is wider than at the bottomThe frame has dropped out of square
Hinge screws are loose or the hinge is bent or rustedHardware has failed
Frame boards are soft or splitThe frame is rotted; repair will not hold

Step 1: Fix the Hinge Post

A gate is only as straight as the post it hangs on, and the hinge post carries the gate's full weight on one side. If it leans, re-set it plumb in concrete, or replace it if the base is rotted. Gate posts are in the ground, so they need ground-contact lumber: the American Wood Protection Association lists posts as Use Category 4A or higher (AWPA). QUIKRETE's post-setting guide calls for a gravel base and concrete sloped away from the post to shed water (QUIKRETE).

Step 2: Re-Square the Gate Frame

Gates drop out of square because gravity pulls the latch side down. A diagonal brace stops it, but only if it runs the right way: from the bottom of the hinge side up to the top of the latch side. That brace works in compression, pushing the latch corner up. A brace installed the other way does nothing to stop the sag.

  1. Prop the latch side up until the gate is square.
  2. Fit a brace from the bottom hinge corner to the top latch corner.
  3. Fasten it to the frame and to the pickets along its length.

Step 3: Replace Worn Hardware

Hinges and latches wear out, rust, and pull loose. Replace them with heavier hardware rated for outdoor use, fastened into solid wood. Treated lumber can be hard on metal: Simpson Strong-Tie notes that some wood treatments are more corrosive to steel than others and recommends checking the treatment and code requirements when choosing fasteners (Simpson Strong-Tie).

When a New Gate Is the Better Fix

  • The frame is rotted or split.
  • The gate has been re-squared before and dropped again.
  • Most of the pickets are failing.

Our new gates include hinges and latch:

Gate stylePressure treated pineCedar
Normal privacy, dog ear$450$550
Top cap with trim$550$650
Board on board with top cap$650$750

Gate posts are not included in those prices. Gate repairs (re-squaring, new hinges and latch) start at $150. See wood fence gate repair in Cypress or the fence repair price list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a sagging wood gate be repaired?

Usually, yes. Re-square the frame with a diagonal brace, replace worn hinges and the latch, and reset the gate post if it has shifted. If the frame is rotted, replace the gate.

Which way should a gate brace go?

From the bottom of the hinge side up to the top of the latch side, so it pushes the latch corner up.

How much does a new wood gate cost?

Our gates are $450 to $650 in pressure treated pine and $550 to $750 in cedar, with hinges and latch included. Gate posts are not included.

The Bottom Line

Find what moved: the post, the frame, or the hardware. Fix the post first, brace the frame from the bottom hinge corner to the top latch corner, and replace worn hardware. If the frame is rotted, a new gate is the better value. Text a photo of your gate to (346) 664-6333 for a written price.

Related Fence Repairs in Cypress

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