Fix a sagging gate that won't latch
A gate that drags or won't latch is usually a hinge-side post that moved or a racked frame.
What you'll learn
- Why gates sag (post movement, racked frame, loose hinges)
- How to install an anti-sag cable kit in 30 minutes
- When to rebuild the gate frame vs. adjust hinges
- Why stainless hardware on coastal gates matters
Step by step
- Check whether the hinge post has moved — use a 4-foot level.
- Tighten hinge screws. If screw holes are stripped, use longer screws.
- Install an anti-sag kit: cable from top-hinge corner to bottom-latch corner.
- Tighten the turnbuckle until the gate squares up.
- Adjust latch strike so the gate closes with a clean click.
Safety note
If the hinge-side post is rotted at grade, no anti-sag kit will hold. The post needs a steel insert or replacement. That's a pro-level repair but often same-day.
Rather have a pro handle it?
Same-day electrical service across San Diego County. A real electrician picks up.
More guides
Keep learning.
Maintenance · 6 min watch
Stain and seal a wood fence
Unsealed cedar turns gray in six months. A proper stain job doubles fence life.
Troubleshooting · 8 min watch
Straighten a leaning fence post
A leaning fence is almost always a post problem, not a panel problem. Often DIY-fixable.
Maintenance · 5 min watch
Replace broken fence pickets
Wind, impact, or rot — a few broken pickets don't need a full panel replacement.