How to Fix a Sagging Fence Gate | Ask This Old House

In this video, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner solve an all-too-common issue: A sagging fence gate.

General contractor Tom Silva heads out on a house call to help a homeowner solve an issue with a sagging gate. After excavating, Tom reinforces the gate’s post with some expanding foam. Then, he takes the gate and racks it back into shape before attaching custom-made brackets. Finally, Tom and the homeowner hang the gate and call it a day.

Skill level: ⅖
Cost: Between $50 and $150
Time: 4 hours

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About Ask This Old House TV:
From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. ASK This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment—your home.

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How to Fix a Sagging Fence Gate | Ask This Old House

[RichardGreco]

Tom makes everything look so easy. I might have taken similar steps but there would have been a whole lot more cursing, some yelling, 5 trips to the store. Then defending myself to my wife all night on how I wasn't mad, its just part of the process.

[marthacollingsworth]

I am a lucky sister to have a brother that knows so much and has rebuilt my old house into a nice home and even though he is 72 years old he helps me on anything I need done.

[rustyshackle]

I like it when toh does relatable videos like this instead of the multi-million dollar projects.

[christianhelser]

Tom is a national treasure. Protect him at all costs.

[TheSpatulaCity]

The brackets in the corners was an excellent idea.

[mattgrundy]

Tommy is such a legend. I wish I had a fraction of that mans skill. Great video guys.

[marthacollingsworth]

His wife is a lucky woman to have a man who knows how to do lots of things around the house

[davidrobins]

The two part expanding foam is a slick solution. I've never seen that one before, but will sure use it in the future for this kind of repair. Thank you. Tom, you always make difficult tasks look easy.

[jimfischer]

Thanks so much. Just the info I needed out here in Nebraska. Tommy is a wealth of knowledge and wisdom.

[DustinPlatt]

Tom came out of the womb with a speed square and chisel.

[Kn]

I’m loving the dad shorts and socks with sandals tommy. Lol. Classic dad outfit.

[walleyeye]

GREAT VIDEO!!!

I’ve been putting off squaring two big sagging gates and Tom’s corner details is something I hadn’t thought of but is the perfect structural fix to the sagging problems!!!

Thanks so much from Canada.

[MRrwmac]

Tommy, You are sure a welcome site to us out there wondering how you are doing. Looks like you’re doing great AND still helping us homeowners with little DIY repair projects. On this one, I especially liked the custom inside braces you made! Thanks!

[rotorblade]

The expanding foam was an interesting trick. I always enjoy videos with Tom.

[PeterGMcDermott]

I remember watching This Old House on PBS when I was a kid in the early 90s. We recently bought a home that was built around the same time and I am so grateful that these videos exist because they have saved me tens of thousands of dollars on repairs.

[nadinejohnson]

This Old House 🏡
Tom is a legend,
true professional
Master Builder
🧰🔨🛠️📏📐🗜️
Blessings 💯

[TJsVette]

Tommy is awesome. I would love to get to meet him and the rest of the crew one day.

[tomdale]

great skill set combine with years of hands on experience, nails it with the right sequence of do's

[tammygurl]

What a nice job! ❤️ Those corner brackets match the gate style perfectly. I never knew about the foam stuff. I need to remember that for when I reset my mailbox post. I've been a fan for many, many years. I'm happy to know you guys are still out there helping people learn how to do home improvements. Thanks for sharing and for teaching me something new! 👍 😊

[robertf]

Great fixes and very economical. Enjoyed watching as always.