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How to straighten a metal gate post already on concrete?

Looking for any advice or direction to tackle a problem with one of my gates.

The gate pole on the neighbours side is leaning enough away so the latch is too far away to lock it.

It's not a gate we use too much, so I can keep it closed and somewhat secure with the wheel borrow holding it in place and against the fence post so its not easy to open.

The neighbours house was sold and now new KDRB is there, so I think the lean came during the knockdown or build.

As the ground is concrete, not sure what options I have but wanted to check if you had some ideas on what I should try or who I should call before I start drilling or breaking the exposed aggregate?

Photos attached, spirit level shows its leaning, you can see the gap is big enough so the latch is too far away. Added a photo of the wheel barrow to show its somewhat secure, or at least leaves its a t least closed and not wide open.

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Comments

EricL

Hello @Timfc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your metal gate post.

Looking at the photos you shared, it appears that the door itself has leaned back more than the post has leaned to the right. Straightening the post will increase the distance even more. Can I please request for a full photo of the gate assembly including the post that is holding the gate door itself? I have a suspicion that the gate assembly has leaned as well.

However, in regards to the removal and repositioning of the post it will be necessary to break the concrete surface and the concrete footing of the post. A new footing will need to be poured in place in order to correct the posts alignment.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1, @Nailbag and @AlanM52 for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Dave-1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/58465#Comment_58465

Good Evening @Timfc

Welcome to the Bunnings community pages 🙂 A nice question to start with for sure 🙂

Trying to straighten something set in concrete I always feel is a loosing battle, Concrete wont move, the pressure you will need is immense and its likely to want to move back to where it was.

Id go straight for Option B 🙂

I would add a piece of vertical timber (Merbau 90mm) against the post between the post and the gate to use up the extra "space" that has been created. I would then renotch the latch and plate. Think of it as adding a spacer to the gate. I would also be interested in seeing how vertical the hinged side of the gate is. I dont think your existing post is too far out in reality. (would be a 2 out of 10 in concern level)

Dave

Nailbag

Hi @Timfc

My only advice is the same as @EricL which would be to break the exposed agg and work your way down to remove the post and start again. This is going to be back-breaking work

Nailbag

AlanM52

Hi @Timfc,

I am thinking to shim the top hinge.

Cheers

Noyade

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/58471#Comment_58471

A band-aid solution @Timfc - if you have a 9" grinder and can weld, or know someone who can.

With a cutting disc installed - slice though three sides of the post, low to the ground.

Usually this gives you around a 5mm space to work with.

Bend the post forward - and use your spirit level again.

If happy tack weld the two corners.

Use your spirit level again.

If still happy - weld the three sides closed.

Angle-grind the seam welds and paint.

Steel girder U channel - but same principal...

(However, what is that conduit with the exposed 'active' wire next to the post base? Is it just sitting there or is it coming out of the concrete?)

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/58471#Comment_58471

Hi @Timfc,

If it’s a similar solid post to this one, I’d be inclined to at least try using a heavy-duty ratchet strap between the tops of both posts to see if you can pull them together at all.

I’m a little bit confused about the situation and the post’s ability to move, especially since there’s no visible cracking around the exposed aggregate that would suggest the concrete footer has shifted.

As Eric mentioned, it might be that the post has tilted out to the left and the gate has also moved slightly to the right, which could explain the large gap. The post doesn’t appear to be attached to the timber fence, so I wouldn’t think the fence leaning has caused the issue.

I also like AlanM52’s suggestion of shimming out the top hinge, as that could help reduce the gap to some degree. However, given how far out of alignment the post currently appears, you might be better off fixing a length of timber to the face of the post to bring the latch closer, as Dave-1 mentioned.

If there’s a similar post on the right-hand side of the gate, I’d definitely try a large ratchet strap between the two posts. When tightened, it can apply a lot of force and may help draw the leaning post back into position. You could then fix a length of steel between the tops of the gate posts to hold them in position.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

Timfc

Thanks all for all the useful help and advice. @EricL I've attached more photos to show the whole gate and the hinges. From the front, the spirit level shows the pole with hinges (next to garage) is straight, as well as the gate. The lean is definitely with the pole next to the fence. @MitchellMc, I have ratchet straps so will give that a go if I can get it through the pole next to the garage. @Dave-1 option B is something that I could try, there is just over 20mm where the latch is so should fit with a 90mm x 19mm timber. Not sure about my confidence level to break exposed agg, or cut and weld (thanks for the diagram and photos @Noyade ) yet but they are options happy to entertain and look at but will take the easier options first with ratchet straps and timber.

@MitchellMc the house next door last 12 months went through a KDRB, which was roughly the time I noticed it when the gate was wide open and I was about to tell my kids off when I realised the lean. @Noyade, I think the wire and conduit was for the pedestrian front gate intercom.

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/58477#Comment_58477

Hopefully, you can pull the top of the slanted post towards the other and close the gap with the ratchet straps @Timfc. If so, you can then screw a Metal Mate 50 x 3mm 2m Galvanised Steel Flat Bar, which you've cut to the correct width, on the street side at the top of the post and into their face. This will tie the top of the post to the wall side and prevent it from spreading out again.

Mitchell

Timfc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/91607#Comment_91607

Front gate ratchet strap.jpg

The ratchet straps did the job, probably too easy which tells me it will go back soon or eventually. As we don't use that gate, might buy myself a black ratchet strap so its less obvious and maybe try 2 x 200 x 150 heavy duty galvanised angle brackets drilled to the ground and pole that might give it enough support to keep it in place?

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/111793#Comment_111793

How high is the gate @Timfc? If it's above 1.8m and head height, adding that flat metal bar between the two posts should hold them together. Obviously, this won't work if that's going to create a head knock issue.

Mitchell

AlanM52

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/91600#Comment_91600

CC: @Timfc , @MitchellMc , @Nailbag , @Dave-1

I should have thought of that, I don't do metal stuff but my father-in-law was a boilermaker/mig welder for Comeng (remember them) and would often do that to not only fix but also make stuff.

Cheers

Timfc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/123370#Comment_123370

Hi @MitchellMc, the gate height is 1.81m, I'm 1.77m tall and it feels a bit too low for my liking to have a horizontal bar across. It might be something I might do eventually if I run out of options, but will try to get away with it for now.

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