Wooden driveway gates lock problem Post your questions and find answers on all garden related topics and areas

[G4WFT]

We've recently had wooden gates fitted across our driveway, consisting of one 2.7m main gate and a 0.9m pedestrian gate. As we wanted to be able to secure them at night, there is a throw over hook on the main gate which drops over a staple on the small gate. A padlock then goes through the staple. This has all worked fine to begin with, but over time (the gates were installed mid-April this year) the hook has become more and more difficult to drop over the staple until it is now impossible. Neither gate has dropped - it seems as though the gates have shrunk! Is this possible or likely? I know that I could move the staple slightly closer but if it's shrinkage then will the gates expand again in the autumn/winter? The gates are, I believe, Douglas Fir. Thanks for any insight.

[stoneyboy]

Hi g4wft
Yes the gates will expand and contract with the weather, remove the hook and staple and use a bike lock loop or heavy chain and padlock instead.
Regards S