A gate that drags usually has a reason
A gate problem can be hardware, structure, or both. Replacing a latch may be enough when the gate is still square and the posts are stable. If the hinge post has moved, new hardware will not solve the underlying problem for long.
Pecos checks how the opening is actually used before rebuilding a gate. A gate that is too narrow for mowers, trash bins, trailers, or service equipment may be worth widening while the opening is already being repaired.
Sliding and automated gates add more components to the repair decision. Rollers, V-track, guides, operator mounts, safety devices, power, and frame alignment can all affect why the gate stopped moving correctly.
Start with the hinge side, not just the latch
When a walk gate catches the ground or will not latch, measure the gap at the top and bottom and look for movement in the hinge post. If the post is stable but the frame has sagged, the gate may need bracing or rebuilding. If the post has shifted, adjusting the latch alone usually will not keep the opening working.
We also look at daily use. A three-foot gate might fit someone walking through but be frustrating for a mower, trash can or equipment. Repairing the opening can be an opportunity to adjust its width and swing instead of recreating the same inconvenience.
Walk gates, double gates and driveway gates are different jobs
Standard wood walk gates can involve hinges, latch hardware, framing and diagonal bracing. Double-drive gates need two leaves to meet cleanly and stay aligned. Sliding and automated driveway gates can involve track, rollers, guides, frame geometry, an operator and safety equipment. The estimate should identify which system is being repaired.
A real Pecos gate conversion
On one completed repair project, we converted part of a five-foot privacy-fence panel into a three-foot walk gate and added a low kickboard detail for small dogs. It is a useful reminder that the best gate repair sometimes means changing the opening, not just swapping hardware.
Explore custom walk and driveway gates →
Frequently asked questions
Can you fix a sagging wood fence gate?
Yes. Depending on the cause, the repair may involve hinges, frame reinforcement or rebuilding, latch alignment, or the hinge post.
Can you repair a driveway gate?
Yes. Pecos repairs swing and sliding driveway gates and evaluates the posts, frame, hardware, rollers or track, and automation when present.
Why does my gate keep dragging after adjustment?
If the gate repeatedly drops after adjustment, the cause may be a moving hinge post, a weak frame, worn hinges, or changing grade rather than simple latch alignment.
Can a gate be widened during repair?
Often, yes. If the property needs more useful access and the surrounding structure allows it, the repair can be scoped as a wider replacement opening.