How do I fix a gate that's sagging and won't close properly after the wet season in Metro Vancouver?

A sagging gate in Metro Vancouver is almost always caused by one of three things: a shifting or rotted post, stretched or loosened hinges, or a gate frame that has racked out of square from moisture absorption and seasonal movement.

The good news is that most sagging gates are fixable without full replacement — but you need to correctly diagnose which problem you're dealing with before reaching for tools.

Step 1: Diagnose the Root Cause

Start at the hinge post. Grab the post with both hands and push and pull it firmly. If it moves at all, the post is the problem — either the concrete footing has heaved, the post base has rotted, or it was never set deep enough to begin with. A hinge post for a gate should be a 6x6 minimum, set at least 2.5 to 3 feet deep in concrete, because it bears the full dynamic load of a swinging gate. A 4x4 post on a gate will eventually fail in Metro Vancouver's soft, wet soil — it's simply not enough mass.

If the post is solid, check the hinges. After a wet winter, screws driven into wet wood can back out as the wood swells and then dries. Look for hinges that have pulled away from the post or gate frame, stripped screw holes, or bent hinge plates. This is the most common and most fixable cause of gate sag.

Finally, sight down the gate frame itself. If it looks like a parallelogram — leaning to one corner — the frame has racked. This happens when a gate is built without a diagonal tension rod or cross-brace, and the wood absorbs moisture unevenly over the wet season.

Fixing Hinges and Hardware

If the hinges are the culprit, don't just re-drive the same screws into the same holes — they'll strip out again within a season. Remove the hinge, fill the old screw holes with hardwood dowels and exterior wood glue, let it cure fully, then re-mount the hinge with 3-inch structural screws (galvanized or stainless steel — never standard steel in Metro Vancouver's climate). Upgrading to heavy-duty strap hinges rated for the gate's weight is worth the extra $30-$50 if your current hardware is undersized.

A turnbuckle anti-sag kit (available at most Metro Vancouver building supply stores for $20-$40) can correct a racked frame. It runs diagonally from the top hinge corner to the bottom latch corner with a steel cable and turnbuckle — tightening it pulls the low corner back up. This is a legitimate long-term fix for wood gates without diagonal bracing, and it's a reasonable DIY repair.

When the Post Is the Problem

A failing hinge post is not a DIY fix for most homeowners. Extracting a concrete footing, setting a new 6x6 post correctly, and rehanging the gate with proper alignment requires equipment and experience. A poorly reset post will have the gate sagging again within a year. Post replacement runs $150-$400 per post in Metro Vancouver depending on access and how much concrete needs to be broken out.

Metro Vancouver-Specific Maintenance Tips

Going forward, apply end-cut preservative to any exposed wood at the post base and gate frame bottom. Keep the gate bottom 2-4 inches above grade so it doesn't drag through standing water. Inspect and tighten all hinge hardware every spring after the wet season — catching loose screws early prevents the progressive racking that leads to full frame failure. If your gate is cedar or pressure-treated, re-seal it every 2-3 years along with your fence; a sealed gate frame absorbs far less moisture and holds its shape through the wet season far better than bare wood.

If you've gone through this diagnosis and the post is solid, the hinges are tight, and the frame is square but the gate still won't latch — the latch strike plate may simply need to be repositioned, which is a five-minute fix with a screwdriver.

Need help finding a fence contractor for a post replacement or full gate rehang? Vancouver Fence Builders can match you with a local professional for a free estimate.