What we do
- Drooping wood gates squared and braced, or fitted with an anti-sag cable
- Hinges, latches, cane bolts, gate stops and spring closers replaced
- Broken boards, pickets and lattice panels swapped to match
- Split rails refastened or replaced between sound posts
- Leaning posts plumbed and braced where the footing still holds
- Wrought iron gate hinges and latches freed, aligned and touched up
In Alhambra homes
A city report on Alhambra’s housing finds that about 77 percent of homes were built before 1980. Lots of that age have been fenced and re-fenced in pieces, so one yard can have redwood from decades ago next to a newer section, and a gate that has outlived several sets of hinges. We look at the whole gate opening, not only the hardware, because a post that has rocked loose will undo any new hinge.
Get a quote in one text
Send a photo of the whole gate or fence section, a close-up of the hinge and latch, and a word on what it does wrong. Our number for photos is (626) 684-3505, and the price comes back before any work is booked.
Why gates sag
A wood gate is a rectangle hanging from one side. Over time gravity pulls the latch corner down, the joints loosen, and the hinge screws work out of dry wood. The fix is to pull the gate square and brace it in compression, from the bottom hinge corner up to the top latch corner, so the brace holds the shape instead of fighting it.
Posts come first
Before any hinge work we push on the gate post. If it moves at the ground, the footing has loosened or the wood has rotted at the soil line. A post that is sound can be braced and reset. A post that has rotted through needs replacing, and on a long run of rotten posts we suggest a fence contractor.
Matching boards and style
For a broken board or picket we match width, thickness and the top cut, whether dog-ear, flat or pointed. New lumber starts lighter than weathered wood and evens out in a season or two, or sooner with stain.
Iron gates
Iron gates on front walks and driveways mostly fail at the moving parts. Hinge pins seize with rust, latches drift out of line as the posts settle, and paint lifts where water sits. We free and lubricate the hinges, realign or replace latches, and spot-prime rust. Broken welds go to a welder.
Latches that catch every time
A gate that blows open is a common worry with dogs or small children. A gravity latch set at the right height with a spring hinge or closer will pull the gate shut and catch it, as long as the gate hangs square first. We can fit a lockable latch that still opens from inside without a key.
After a windstorm
Santa Ana winds push hardest on solid board fences, and the damage is usually a few boards blown off, a rail pulled from a post, or a gate torn off its hinges. Those are quick repairs once the posts are checked. Send photos after the wind drops and we can usually fix the section on one visit.
What goes to a fence contractor
We repair fences and gates already in place. New fence lines, block or brick walls, retaining walls, gate openers and welding go to a fence, masonry or welding contractor. If the fence sits on a shared property line, talk with your neighbor before work starts.
Sources: City of Alhambra, housing needs report (age of housing stock).
Repair guides for this job
- Why original wood doors stick, and how we free them upWhy solid wood and arched-top doors in Alhambra's older homes stick or drift open, the simple hinge fixes, and how we adjust them without harming the wood.
- Keeping original built-in cabinets and hutches workingHow we repair original built-in hutches, linen cabinets and cupboards in Alhambra's 1920s homes: sagging doors, sticky drawers, worn catches and glass.
- Getting the house ready for Santa Ana windsHow to get ready for Santa Ana winds in Alhambra: doors and gates, loose screens, outdoor items, power outages and the small repairs that keep dust and drafts out.
Looking for a handyman in Alhambra for more than one job? Send the whole list and we’ll price it together.
We serve Alhambra first, plus Monterey Park, San Gabriel and other nearby cities. Have a question? See the handyman FAQ.