'No Sag Gate' FAIL - Pro Fence Builder Reacts

Today we're taking a look at a "no sag" fence gate. But is this gate really a "no sag" gate? Let's dig into it!

I'm Joe Everest, The Fence Expert. On this channel, I'm going to teach you everything there is to know about fences. We're going to show you how to build a fence, everything about fence posts, different fence installation methods and much, much more. If you're wanting to become a fence builder, or if you're just trying to build a DIY fence, my channel will help you out. So subscribe and ring the bell icon, that way you don't miss any of my fence videos!

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[vvhitevvabbit]

Last year I got to witness a very entertaining job being done for my neighbor. She hired 2 guys to build her a new fence gate. These guys put a a 4x4 in the ground about 2 ft, screwed some regular interior door hinges to it and mounted a prebuilt wooden fence panel to it. Done. If you know anything about gates, you know they have to be cross braced and the post needs to be properly fortified to support the weight. This thing sagged and scraped the ground like you wouldn't believe and it fell completely over 3 times. Each time if fell, these guys were called back to fix their work. In the end, they ended up strapping the post to the house with metal strapping, and they put a large caster wheel on the sagging end of the fence, so that it can roll along the ground instead of scraping. It's the saddest job I've ever seen and I can see it every time I look out my bedroom window.

[keithcrowe]

I have 2 redwood 6' gates (12 ft') that are mounted to redwood posts that are 30" deep and 8" x 8". I like to build the frame with a simple diagonal cross brace (Post low side to latch high side). One trick I learned is before adding all the pickets (after mounting the frame to the post) is to have the frame start off with a slightly (up) bubble. Latch side higher than level by a half bubble. This way when you add all the weight of the wet redwood pickets the gate "levels" out when you are finished. I also build the fence as a board-on-board privacy fence so there is added weight to consider. If you start out with the frames mounted level THEN add all the extra weight it will sag big time. 3 years later I can easily open and close these gates with a simple effort and they have maintained a spot on level.

[davekushman]

We offer a lifetime workmanship warranty as well, we don’t advertise for fence building, we mainly are hardscape and deck focused but for clients who are already spending a large chunk of change with us we will do their fencing for them. The reason we don’t advertise or take solely fencing jobs is just too many headaches between neighbours with property line disputes even though we build off of the property survey measurements and only allow for tolerance onto our clients side so if we’re an inch off the property line it will be our client losing the inch but generally are spot on with the survey. We do everything with pride in our work, we’re a small company so we can assure everyone’s quality standards are as high as possible simply because once we wrap a job we don’t want to have to come back and fix things if it can be avoided. That being said we always make sure we overbuild our gates, knowing that they are the most common point of failure, I would rather spend a few more dollars up front during the build process to do it right than spend that money coming back to fix it and worrying I look bad to the client because of it.

[hereforpeople]

Ship lap joints with pl400 glue, a lot of work but worth it, I would do metal posts, metal frame, wood pickets.

[toddswenson]

If you're still answering questions about this post, If the unsupported post is his only choice in this setup what size should the post be and how should it be set so it doesn't bend, lean over time? Thanks

[rogerszmodis]

I built a really half assed gate for my back yard a few years ago but it’s still working fine. I made a 6 point brace for keeping it squared though so that’s probably helping. I didn’t bother making the top even. too much work for something I only need to keep my dog in the yard,

[brianbanks]

i wonder if a diagonal tensioner adjustable wire with turnbuckle would have helped with future sagging...besides the steel posts

[MontyBird]

Well done, as usual. I agree with everything you said.

[hickorys_tiny_farm]

Great review, I plan on redoing our fence and as someone that like to go the DIY way thank you for explaning why not to connect the fence to the house! as a DIY it seem like a good idea to secure the fence to the house but after your explanaition makes sence why not to connect the fence to the house lol

[kylephillips]

That's a good video. I might add a tight stringline from point A to point B is invaluable.

[carlosm.]

I enjoyed your expert advice. Thank you.

[trevorlambert]

The guy thinks you can apply pressure treating yourself. 😆 It's called pressure treated because it's done under pressure, and it goes deep into the wood . He's probably getting confused with end-cut treatment, which is used on cut ends of pressure treated lumber. You can't use it to turn a regular piece of lumber into pressure treated lumber.

[maxslomoff]

You mention building the frame on its face might be better - What are the considerations for orienting the brace and frame on ends vs on face?

[Lucysdad]

I just built a fence with a gate a 6 foot gate i left the post about 18 inches high and ran twisted wire from the top to about the middle of the gate with a turn buckel in the middle i can stand on the end of the gate without sage.

[cparker]

His fence was not bad - but as you said there are better ways. Love your Videos.

As for me I am an avid DIY'er and yep I have made my share of mistakes and have learned from them. My first thoughts these days are find someone that knows and learn from them. I Live on a culdesac corner house and have 300 Feet of retaining wall with a 4 foot custom made picket fence. I cut each picket by hand with a band saw 300 liner feet worth with 4" wide pickets with 3/4 spacing between each. All cedar except one panel where I had to use pressure treated wood as I think I bought every 1 X 4 cedar plan in the region and I could not find anymore. Fast forward 20 years later and guess which section I have to replace this summer? To be honest laster longer than I thought but it was painted every 5 years or so an off white cream color.

Since the fence is behind a retaining wall I made oversized forms for each post as safety was a concern with a 5-6 Ft drop off on the other side.

NOW though it is time to put in a quality gate as the gate that is on the 4th side not facing the street was until now a wrought iron one that has finally rusted itself to the grave and pre-dated me at the house.

[racerxvvalvoline]

Hey Joe, I just recently replace a section of fence that will have a double gate in the center entering to the backyard. The question I have for you is "you are not a fan of connecting the fence to the house" due to possible damage over time from natural causes. In South Carolina our frost line is 4" do you see that as an issue still? Also, when packing the concrete, I prefer mix first, should you fill the entire hole or would two bags be enough for a 24" hole and then pack the rest with dirt? Thanks Matt

[DenmanShooter]

Most gates fail because everyone thinks they need to reinforce the gate. But you also need to reinforce the fence side of the gate hinge side. Drive around a ranch or farm and you will see the fence at the gate opening reinforced at least 6 feet back from the gate opening. Or you will see bad gates where they did not. Over time they will sag any way and you will need to adjust. Doesn't matter what kind of fence it is.

[michaelamartocci]

Pressure treated post tweek like bannas terrible for fence post should be 42in deep. 2×4s are wrong way cross brace x pattern is to heavy on gate. 25year installer.

[noengerny]

You may consider advising folks against attaching a fence to their house. As a hurricane Michael survivor on Panama City, many of my friends were amazed to find out that their fence destruction would not be paid for because their exterior structure limit was used up by the shed damage, if the fence was attached to the house it would have been covered up to the total insurance limits.

[juliemensching]

Hi Joe, I really love your videos. We are working on our fence, not perfect, but have learned a lot since watching your videos. You keep mentioning building the gate onsite since the post is already set. I can't seem to find a video with someone building a gate onsite of yours. We are going to use steel frame, do you have one? I hope you see this, and it doesn't go out into the abyss!