The gate to access the backyard was broken by the wind, and I need to somehow fix it. I have no knowledge of concrete and don’t have the right tools (all I have is a small 18V drill driver and an impact). The thing is, whoever installed the gate originally put the post on a side wall, but since the gate was too heavy, it came off.
I don’t want to damage the wall further, so I want to put posts on both sides of the door, but I have no idea how to anchor the posts to the ground. The door is maybe 6ft by 6ft. Is this something I can do by myself? I was thinking of asking someone to install the posts, but since I don’t know anyone in the area for this kind of work, and I tend to have bad luck with results, I’d prefer to do it myself if possible. I’m okay with buying some inexpensive tools if needed.
I'm going to use cedar to make a door(if I make, maybe buying one is an option...) so it won't be that heavy.
Will the posts end up being free standing all on their own, or fastened to something other than the gate (maybe the wall where it was before)? You can get bottom brackets (post bases) for posts that anchor in to the concrete, then the post in to that. You'd need a hammer drill (rentable usually) and masonry drill bits for concrete anchors. What you'd get might depend on how heavy the gate is, or whether you could put a wheel on the swinging end of the gate to help reduce the leverage on the hinge post
Thank you, Mos! I was thinking to make the posts free standing by themselves. I kind of have the same idea but I wasn't sure the base thing is good against the lateral force/rotating momentum. I can put a cross bar between top part of the posts if that helps.... Do you have any recommendation for a 4x4 post base?
The wheel is a good idea but I think the ground is too bumpy for it. I would probably buy a hammer drill and it's the only exiciting part of this project, haha
I think Mos has it right. One thing to consider if you're drilling. CALL DIG-ALERT FIRST. I wanted to bore some holes for getting water deep in the ground for some trees we planted. The guy for the electrical detection- our electric is underground- was late because a person was setting a post next to the house and hit the 220V coming in, and the tester was called in by first responders to verify exactly where the wires were. Fatality.
Thanks, DL! Yeah, you’re right… there’s a rainwater drain pipe running underground on the side where the door hinges will be, so I can’t anchor the post there. Looks like I’ll have to put the post to the wall...
Having a connecting arch across the top is both decorative and will greatly reduce the cantilevered forces trying to bend the hinge side upright. Bonus if one of the uprights has a diagonal brace to the ground (perhaps if it connects to a fence). A diagonal brace with an arch top will make for a strong frame structure.
However there will still be a bending load when the gate is open.
Something as simple as a top strap to fasten that upright at it's top to the wall will also create a sturdy structure. I don't think bottom brackets on their own will hold up over time unless they are very sturdy. You should attach the uprights to the ground either way.
Yeah, it seems like I need to think more and find a proper solution rather than just a quick fix… For now, I screwed back everything I could and wedged pieces of wood between the door and the wall so it won’t fall, but it’ll be a lot of work to open it again…
Don't be too scared of cement work. Somethings are not as hard as it may seem. Usually the hardest part of cement work is just the physical labor part.
YRTi, watch some videos about setting gate posts. Either into cement or secured into the wall, neither is hard to do. And, if you’re going to add a cross member across the top, it’s an opportunity to do a little rough carpentry and make it decorative and appealing. No reason a gate can’t be attractive! You’d be surprised how easy this stuff is…
Ryan/// ~sigh~ I blew up another bowl. Moke told me "I made the inside bigger than the outside".
Thank you Corelz and Ryan, I'm just too scared, but yeah, I should try it sometime. Though since I found a drain pipe underground where the post would go, I have to find another way to solve this.
