Do you want to install a fence gate? Are you looking for some tips to do it perfectly without professional help? If you are doing it for the first time,you might find it a bit complex. There is no doubt that the fence gate installation will demand time and effort. However,you are going to love the end result. Make sure that you are doing it right. Any mistake will result in improper installation and might not offer a lasting result. Yes,you will get step by step instruction in this article to make the installation easy.
Before installing a fence gate,you need to be sure about the place where you want to install the gate. Proper measurement is important to ensure a flawless installation and to avoid more effort. If you are doing it on your own,you need to be more careful. Make sure that space is enough for easy access to your vehicles. You can consider 10 feet wide. This will be ideal for many homes. You can also consider more or less size depending on your requirements.
As fence gates are considered a bit large,you need to use stronger materials to support the system. Also,make sure that you are using a specialized locking system and hinge to secure your fence gate and to allow easy access with effortless closing and opening.
In addition to the above,you will have to install larger posts at the gate and secure it with concrete. If you are using a wood fence gate,you can use four-inch round or square steel posts and secure it with more than two foot deeper footing to get the required support for your fence gate. When installing the gate next to your home,avoid attaching it to your building directly. If you do so,the damage in the post might cause expensive damage to your building.
From the above,you might have a little idea about the gates. Now we will come to the topic: how to install the gate. To help you out,followings are the step-by-step instruction.
Steps for Installing a Fence Gate
Step 1 –Dig the post hole a bit deeper into the ground. While doing so,separate the handles and then set aside the soil. Keep digging until you have made two holes with each 30″ deep.
Step 2 –While digging the hole,if an object such as rock and brick is encountered and you find it hard to remove with the hole digger,you can use an iron digging bar to loosen the object and to remove it.
Step 3 –When you will reach close to the desired depth,you can use the round end of your digging bar to compact the soil in the hole. Adjust it to get the final level.
Step 4 –Now you need to use the level to ensure the post is placed in the middle of both directions. It is important to get the required strength.
Step 5 –After placing the post,use soil to fill the hole to a few inches to hold the post strong. Just use the round end of your digging bar to level the soil.
Step 6 –The post will need more strength to ensure proper installation of the gate. Mix concrete with water in a wheelbarrow. While mixing,make sure that water is evenly spread on the mix. But avoid making it too wet.
Step 7 –Fill the post with the concrete evenly until 3 below grade. If required,you can use a piece of the scrap wood to level the concrete around the post. It will also help to remove air bubbles.
Step 8 –After setting the first post,you need to set the second post. It is important to take extra caution to ensure that the height of both posts is the same. For this,you can use a board to measure both posts.
Step 9 –Once the post becomes the plumb,you will need a scrap board in the same width as the finished gate. Use it a spacer to maintain the correct distance between the posts.
Step 10 –Predrill to attach the hinges to your gate. Similarly,predrill your posts to attach the hinges. For this,you will need large screws. Finally,attach your locking system.
Follow these simple steps for installing a fence gate. -You can take help of your family to make it easy and less time-consuming.