Gate Won't Close or Latch? Causes and Fixes
A gate that will not close or latch usually has a sagging frame, a worn or broken hinge, a shifted post or a misaligned latch. Many of these are repaired with welding on-site, often in one visit, without taking the gate down. Poncho Welding repairs and builds metal gates across the Denver metro area.
Common causes
- Sagging frame. The corner welds have cracked or the frame has bent, so the gate drops and drags.
- Worn or broken hinge. The hinge pin, mount or weld has failed.
- A post that has shifted. Frost heave or an impact has moved the post, so the latch no longer lines up.
- Misaligned or damaged latch. The strike plate is bent or the latch bracket has cracked.
- Rust. Moisture has eaten the base of the posts or the joints in the frame.
Quick checks before you call
Open and close the gate slowly and watch where it binds. Look for cracked welds at the corners, a loose hinge and a post that leans. Take a photo of each. Do not stand under or lean on a sagging gate, and be careful with heavy gates since they can fall.
Sending us those photos usually lets us tell you whether it is a quick weld or a bigger repair.
How a welder fixes it
Most fixes are one of these: re-welding and squaring the frame, replacing the hinge mounts with stronger ones, adding a brace across the frame, welding a new latch bracket or resetting the alignment. We do the work where the gate hangs, usually without taking it down. If the post itself has moved, we tell you what is needed, which can include a new post set.
Security gates for businesses
The same applies to security gates and doors at shops and small businesses. We recently repaired a security gate at a business in Wheat Ridge, and we weld frames, hinges and latches on location so you can keep your doors secure.
Gate giving you trouble? Send a photo and your city.
