Stuck gate

[Tiger]

Have a problem with a gate that binds at the top. I was thinking I could reweld the hinges onto the gate and create more space. The bricks holding the hinges are all cracked but still seem to hold, they've been like that for a few years. What should I do to fix this gate?

[joe greiner]

Can the hinges be relocated around the corner of the brickwork? If pic 2 shows the closed condition, the hinge straps are loaded in flexure, which is less stiff than loaded in shear; also relies on tensile strength/stiffness of the fixings. For adequate strength of the brickwork surrounding the bolts, you may need to weld extra length onto the straps to get sufficient edge distance. The instructions for new drilled inserts should contain advice for that.

Joe

[Tiger]

Thanks, Joe. I was going to try and avoid any welding if I could but I couldn't see any way around it. The gate only binds at the top. Wondering whether I should just chip out the split bricks and install new ones and then re-mortar and drill new holes for hinges but this would still take a long time. Hoping there might be an easier way that I might have somehow overlooked.....

[Jacksin]

Provided the hinges are reasonably sound, why not run an angle grinder cut through the top frame of either gate along side the upright and reweld? That should be enough to stop them binding

[Tools]

The problem is with the right hand gate as viewed in your pic.The pic of the hinge is on the left hand side. What is the right hand gate fixed to? Is it another brick wall, or a timber or steel post? If it is a post, then you just need to relocate the top hinge so the gates line up at the top.

Tools

[Tiger]

Jacksin, had the same thought as you, but it would mean removing the galvanised coating and then welding and then re-galvanising.

Tools, other gate fixed to brick. One gate is fixed to house, other fixed to garage which just to complicate things has had its foundations drop by about 20 to 25 mm.

[Jacksin]

Tiger after I weld galv I wire brush the joint clean and use galvastick or cold solder applied with a very light oxy flame and wire brush then touch up with coldgalv paint (spray can) and touch up with paint. Even if you dont use the galvastick, cold galv and paint for a simple gate should be adequate.

Haven't had any corrosion problems yet.