Hang a Gate
Hanging a gate begins with the gate posts. Leaving enough space between the posts to accommodate your gate as well as being sure the posts are set securely enough to sustain usage over time can be tricky. But, with persistence and the following instructions, you can hang a gate that will function smoothly for a long time.
Steps
- Dig a hole at least 3 feet (or 1 meter) deep using a post hole digger.
- Place one of the posts into its hole and while holding it as level as you can, pour dry concrete into the hole until it is half filled.
- Pour in roughly 5 inches (or 12.7 centimeters) of water and let the mix soak for a minute or two.
- Fill the hole to about 5 inches (or 12.7 centimeters) from the top with more of the dry mix, adding another 5 inches (or 12.7 centimeters) of water until the hole is filled.
- Add water as it is absorbed by the dry concrete until the mixture is thick enough to hold the post upright.
- Repeat this process for the post on the opposite side.
- Leave the posts to set for a day or two, or until the concrete is completely hardened.
- Calculate, starting with the bottom hinge of your gate, how far above the ground it will need to be so that your gate moves freely and without hitting the ground anywhere within its full swing.
- Drill a hole through the hinge post as straight as you can using a spade bit.
- Screw a nut and a washer 1 inch (or 2.5 centimeters) onto the threaded end of the vertical hinge pin, and push it through the hole, so that the pin is pointed straight up.
- Determine where your top hinge needs to be by first measuring the distance between the bottom hinge loop and the top hinge loop on your gate. Then measure the distance between the face of the hinge pin and the center of its threaded rod, adding them together.
- Measure the distance between the hinge pin and the center of its threaded rod, add this to your measurement for the hinge loops and mark the resulting measurement with a line that runs up the inside of the hinge post to the hinge that is already in place.
- Draw a line on the inside of the post that is level with the center of the pin already in place.
- Push the hinge pin through the top hole as you did with the bottom pin without tightening the nuts.
- Calculate how far the top pin needs to protrude from the post so that it is aligned with the bottom pin, then tighten the top pin's nuts into place.
- Slide the hinge loops of the gate onto the hinge pins and tighten the clamps to hold it in place.
- Let go of the gate, adjusting the hinge pins as needed so that your gate hangs motionless.
- Attach your latching hardware about midway up the post opposite the hinge posts, making sure that all the parts are aligned so that they slip into place when the gate is closed.
Tips
- Use a stick to poke the concrete as you pour it into the holes to fill up any air holes that might form.
- If your gate doesn't quite reach your latch, shim it with small pieces of wood.
- Drilling holes from the inside of the posts is easier and more accurate than from the outside.
Warnings
- Always wear proper safety equipment such as safety glasses.
- If you need to cut the threaded rods, always use a hacksaw.
Things You'll Need
- Gate with hinges and latching hardware
- Concrete mix and water
- Drill with a spade bit
- Wrench
- Level
- Tape measure
