Most problems that cause a metal gate to sag are natural: a result of wear and tear. With the help of some common tools, a little patience, and some guidance on where to look, you can fix your sagging gate.
If your metal gate is dragging, sticking, or just looking a bit sad and crooked, don’t put it off until you start hearing that metallic screech. The problem gets worse the longer you ignore it.
Here’s how you fix a metal gate that’s sagging.
Step 1: Figure Out The Cause of the Sagging
Before grabbing your tools, take a minute to figure out what’s causing the gate to sag. In many, metal gates sag because of a mix of loose hinges and a slight lean in the gate post.
But any of the following factors could cause a metal gate to sag:
- The hinges are worn or bent
- The frame is twisting or warping
- The posts have shifted or settled in over time.
Again, most of these causes of metal gate sagging are natural problems caused by wear and tear over time.
A quick visual check and a little wiggle test on the gate will help you detect them.
Step 2: Tighten (or Replace) the Hinges
If the hinges look worn or bent, you can fix that by tightening the hinge screws or bolts. S
For this, you need a good wrench or socket set.
Pro tip
If your screws keep spinning, jam some toothpicks or wood filler into the hole to give it more grip (yes, even in a metal gate attached to wood). Or go for wall plugs if it’s screwed into masonry.
Hint: Sometimes, You Have to Change the Hinges
I have done automatic gate installation on some metal gates where the hinges were completely worn. Two of the screws were totally stripped. I had to swap them out for thicker ones to get a tighter hold.
- Also, don’t skip a spritz of WD-40 while you’re there. A little lube goes a long way.
Step 3: Check the Posts
One of the most subtle but effective ways to fix a metal gate that is sagging is to check and reset the posts.
Checking the posts of a metal gate can get tricky because sometimes one of the gate posts is just slightly leaning— not enough to notice unless you were really looking, but enough to throw off the alignment.
So, use a level and check both posts.
If the lean is minor, use a metal post mender or anything that can serve as a prop to put it back in place.
Hint: You may need to reset it with Concrete.
If one is off by a distance, you might need to reset it with concrete. I haven’t had to go that far for a customer yet, but if it comes to that, you’re looking at a bit more of a weekend project.
Step 4: Add a Diagonal Brace
If everything else doesn’t seem to work and your metal gate still sags, it is time to add a diagonal brace.
A diagonal brace works for metal gates just as it does for wooden gates: it adds a little tension and pulls the gate back into shape.
For a sagging metal gate, you have two main options for adding a diagonal gate: the cable and turnbuckle kit and a solid diagonal metal brace.
Personally, I prefer the cable and turnbuckle kit: it’s adjustable and great for metal frames.
Add a Cable & Turnbuckle Kit
- Run the cable from the bottom hinge side up to the top latch side.
- The turnbuckle goes in the middle — twist it until the gate lifts back into place.
Add a Solid Diagonal Brace
If you're into welding or have a metal brace lying around, you can bolt or weld a solid diagonal support.
Same direction as the cable — bottom hinge to top latch. Just a more permanent solution.
Step 5: Realign the Latch
After straightening the gate, your latch might not line up perfectly anymore. Most times, we have adjusted metal gates, and the latch is off by about half an inch or so afterward.
So, just loosen the screws, adjust the latch, and retighten it.
No point in fixing the gate if you can’t close it, right?
Do Some Routine Maintenance to Prevent Future Sagging
While you’ve got tools in hand, check for rust, clean off any gunk, and maybe hit the gate with some rust-resistant spray paint. It’ll look better and last longer.
Final Thoughts: What Worked for Me
A Cable Brace Kit Always Works.
In most cases of sagging metal gates, we have resorted to using the cable brace kit. It is under $20 and totally worth it. If your metal gate’s giving you trouble, start there.
Sometimes, all it takes is a bit of tightening, bracing, and adjusting — kind of like life.
Sometimes, You Need to Change the Gate
Sometimes, the reason a metal gate sags is rather simple: it's too old. A metal gate that has been working for five years or more will start sagging.
Even if you tighten the hinges, realign the posts, or add a diagonal brace, the added pressure will pile on another component of the gate and eventually cause it to continue sagging.
What to Do if You Cannot Fix Your Sagging Gate
The advice we give to clients is to see an irreparably sagging metal gate as an opportunity. Metal gate costs are not as high as they once were, and even smaller metal gates can easily be upgraded to smart gates.
You can get an affordable automatic gate opener, install it at a low cost, and give your home a whole new look and feel.
Explore some of our best automatic gate openers and use this algorithm to find out how much you would need to get one that matches your gate.
Anyway you look at it, there are solutions for your sagging gate. You can either choose to fix it or (if you cannot) upgrade to an automated gate system.
