To operate correctly, a gate must sit level, otherwise it will swing open if it is not latched securely. Installing a gate over uneven ground presents a challenge, since you cannot install the gate at a slant to compensate for the terrain. Once you mount the gate so it is level, you may then attach chicken wire or any other type of barrier to the bottom of the gate, keeping animals and small children from being able to slide under the gap between the gate and the low part of the ground. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Hold the gate's hinges against the backside of the gate, and mark where the hinges' mounting holes sit. Remove the hinges and drill guide holes where you marked. Replace the hinges and drive screws through the hinges' mounting holes and the guide holes, securing the hinges to the gate.
2. Hold the gate between the fence posts at the gate opening and place a level on the top of the gate. Adjust the position of the gate until it sits 1 inch above the highest level of the ground below.
3. Swing the gate's hinges until they rest flat against the fence post. Mark where the hinges' mounting holes sit on the post, and then set the gate aside. Drill guide holes where you marked on the fence post.
4. Hold the gate between the posts again, and swing the hinges back into place against post you drilled guide holes into. Drive screws through the hinges' mounting holes and into the guide holes, holding the gate up until you tighten the screws all the way.
5. Close the gate and hold the assembled gate latch so it sits over the gate at the fence post. Mark the locations of the mounting holes on the latch assembly, and then drill guide holes at the locations of the marks. Replace the latch assembly and drive screws through the holes, securing the latch to the gate and fence post.
Tags: guide holes, mounting holes, fence post, hinges mounting, hinges mounting holes, Hold gate