Privacy, decoration, weather barrier, protection of kids or pets... whatever your reasons are to build a fence or repair an existing one, make sure you give the fence gate the care and attention it deserves. Nobody likes crooked or squeaky fence gates. They are not only an annoyance but also, when they are not functioning properly, they bring the value and beauty of your home down.
It is true that fence gates are subject to damage more often than the rest of the fence, due to their frequent use. Speaking of usage, before you begin repairing or installing a fence gate or a garden gate, keep their purpose in mind. Some gates are for decorative purposes only. Sometimes you will see two little posts with a gate attached to them, right in the middle of a garden. They are not made to keep certain critters out or to protect anything. For those, a simple little latch with a hook will be good enough while gates that are attached to a fence or a wall will require more attention.
What kind of repair do fence gates require?
Sometimes, all you need will be a simple paint job to give your fence gate an updated, fresh look. Sometimes, you will need to replace a latch, a hook or a lock. Most of these parts are quite affordable and readily available in hardware stores. If you are working with an antique gate and the parts are old, you might need to find an expert to fix these or simply replace them by new parts. Since the gates are used frequently, it is better to keep them closed or locked when they are not being used. This way, you can keep them stable and balanced. In addition to this, if you have a heavy gate made from iron or massive heavy wood, then you will need stone or iron walls/fences to support your gate. You won't be able to keep a heavy gate secured if your fences are not made from heavy material to support them.
Like everything else, you will need to clean and do little repairs or updates on your fences and gates to prevent them from getting severely damaged in the future. If you have wooden gates and you live in a humid climate, make sure you prime and seal the wood for heavy weather conditions to increase its durability. You will also need to oil hinges from time to time so they don't squeak. Fence gates/garden gates that are regularly taken care of will greatly increase the beauty and value of your home and who doesn't love that? If you are building new fences, make sure you check your setbacks with your city in order to find out where exactly you are allowed to build them. Another thing you will want to make sure is that there are no buried cables or pipes where you are planning to build your fences. For this, you can contact your utility companies and they will come to your property and mark those lines for you.
Home Improvement Guide specializes in Orange County contractor services, Irvine home improvement and Orange County fences .
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