Garden wooden gate leaning from top

[akz786]

Hi
Our garden gate which is circa 8 years old is now leaning towards the lock side from the top, it’s obvious that the gate fence post is bowed from the top so I’m after a short term solution where I can at least shut and lock it before summer and then attack the post to fix the issue.

Am I right in assuming with t hinges I can either add a shim on the bottom hinge which is screwed into the post side, or somehow adjust the hinge at the top on the gate side?

Some pics below to show the problem.

Thanks
A

 

[JohnD]

I don't find your photo very clear, but you say you have a leaning post.

If you fix a horizontal across the tops of the two posts, you can brace them so they don't lean together or apart.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Am I right in assuming with t hinges I can either add a shim on the bottom hinge which is screwed into the post side, or somehow adjust the hinge at the top on the gate side?

Not really, the only way to adjust T hinges, is by moving the fixing screws. Easier to simply adjust the staple, the socket into which the bolt goes.

 

[Munroast]

probably all the wet weather has caused the wood to swell, the top moves more than the bottom as the bottom of the posts don't move - classic sign the gate won't close at the top

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

probably all the wet weather has caused the wood to swell, the top moves more than the bottom as the bottom of the posts don't move - classic sign the gate won't close at the top

This, the gate needs reducing in width accordingly.

 

[akz786]

Not really, the only way to adjust T hinges, is by moving the fixing screws. Easier to simply adjust the staple, the socket into which the bolt goes.

So essentially just unscrew and adjust the hinge from the pin? Sorry not sure what the staple bit is on the hinge

 

[akz786]

This, the gate needs reducing in width accordingly.

I was thinking of just planing the door across the edge once it dries up.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

That's what I'd do.

 

[avonmouth]

That bottom diagonal brace would have been better going the same way as the top diagonal.

 

[Munroast]

This, the gate needs reducing in width accordingly.

then when the summer comes the gap will look too wide - it surprising how much they move, an inch easy between bone dry and soaked for weeks

 

[JohnD]

then when the summer comes the gap will look too wide - it surprising how much they move, an inch easy between bone dry and soaked for weeks

Yes, I have a similar problem, and have reluctantly decided that I will reconfigure the gate so it closes against the outer face of the post.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Sorry not sure what the staple bit is on the hinge

It's not a part of the hinge - it is the saddle shaped, part, into which you slide your bolt, to lock the gate. If the gate has moved, then the bolt goes out of alignment with the staple.

 

[foxhole]

Gates exposed to weather need 10-15mm clearance when dry , sometimes even that’s not enough .

 

[KentExpert]

Depending on the height of the post on the left, you may be able to install a lintel (a piece of wood above the gate). Force it in and it may push the wall plate right against the wall and force the post away from the gate allowing the gate to close. Then in the summer, plane the timber down on the side, so you have a gap.

As Foxhole mentioned, when installing a new gate, a 10mm gap between the gate and the posts on either side. I would always use adjustable Hook and band hinges on new gates as well as this solves most problems in the future.

 

[akz786]

Depending on the height of the post on the left, you may be able to install a lintel (a piece of wood above the gate). Force it in and it may push the wall plate right against the wall and force the post away from the gate allowing the gate to close. Then in the summer, plane the timber down on the side, so you have a gap.

As Foxhole mentioned, when installing a new gate, a 10mm gap between the gate and the posts on either side. I would always use adjustable Hook and band hinges on new gates as well as this solves most problems in the future.

There is enough I am a shortie so can walk through, I may just try this and see if it works - all this constant rain has not helped.

Thanks to all of you who have replied and given your thoughts, really appreciate it.