A dropping gate has three possible culprits and only three: the post has moved, the hinges have failed, or the gate frame has racked. Identifying which saves you paying for a new gate you may not need.
What's causing it
Gate post moving
The most common cause. Gate posts carry a swinging load and need deeper, wider bases than fence posts.
Hinges undersized or worn
Hinges rated for a light gate on a heavy leaf elongate and drop within a year.
Frame racked
The gate has gone out of square — usually because the diagonal brace is missing or running the wrong way.
Ground level changed
A resurfaced path or settled slab reduces the clearance the gate was originally hung to.
Fix options
Reset or replace the gate post
The post moves
New post, deeper and wider base, sized for the leaf weight — often with a steel core on wide gates.
Upgrade to adjustable hinges
The post is sound but the gate has dropped
Bolt-through adjustable hinges let the gate be re-levelled in future without unhanging it.
Re-brace and square the frame
The gate itself has racked
Frame pulled square and a correctly oriented diagonal brace fitted.
New gate
The frame is rotten as well as racked
Built to the actual opening — no standard gate is trimmed to fit, which is why ours stay square.
Self-diagnosis: check these first
- 1
Lift the leading edge: if the gate rises easily and the post flexes, the post is the problem.
- 2
Watch the hinges as someone opens the gate — visible movement means worn or undersized ironmongery.
- 3
Measure the frame diagonals; unequal measurements mean the gate itself has racked.
- 4
Check the brace runs from the bottom hinge corner upwards to the latch side.
Preventing it happening again
- Size posts and hinges for the gate, not for the fence
- Fit adjustable hinges on anything heavy
- Keep a sensible ground clearance for frost heave and future resurfacing
Get this fixed properly
Free site visit across London and Hertfordshire, a written specification and a fixed price before anything starts.
Frequently asked
Can a dropped gate be fixed without replacing it?
Usually, yes — most of the gates we attend need post or hinge work, not a new gate.
Why do double gates sag more?
Longer leaves mean more leverage on the hinge. A drop bolt into the drive is essential to take the load when closed.
Can you re-hang a gate you didn't build?
Yes, we repair and re-hang existing gates regularly.
How long does the repair take?
Most gate repairs are a half-day; post renewal needs concrete to cure before rehanging.