One of the most common signs that your iron gate hinges are failing is misalignment. When a licensed contractor installs a double iron gate, they take care to ensure that the top and bottom frames line up properly when the gates are in the closed position. As the hinges begin to wear or fail, you may notice that one gate leaf starts to sag or no longer lines up evenly with the other. The gate leaf that begins to drop is typically the clearest indicator of a failing hinge.

In some cases, depending on the style of hinge used, you may also hear a loud squeaking noise when the gate is in motion. While this noise is not present with every hinge type, it can be another warning sign that the hinges are under stress or nearing failure.

When these indicators appear, it is important to contact a licensed and professional ironworker to remove and replace the hinges with new ones that are properly rated to support the weight of the gate. We strongly recommend using a licensed ironworker or welder, as improperly welded hinges can fail and cause the gate to fall, creating a serious safety hazard for pedestrians.

If hinge issues are not addressed promptly, they can lead to premature damage to the gate’s operating system. Hinges that are not installed or aligned correctly place additional strain on the gate operator, forcing it to work harder than necessary. The more effort the gate operator must exert, the shorter its lifespan will be. What starts as a small hinge problem can quickly develop into a costly repair if not corrected in time.