Driveway Slope and Gate Swing Clearance

A swing gate never clears a slope it was not measured for. The grade of a driveway in Georgetown, TX, and the rise that driveway gates georgetown museum house on bloor treats as the first check, decide whether a leaf swings freely or scrapes the pavement.

How does a rising drive change the arc?

A drive that rises toward the street lifts the ground into the path of the bottom rail as the leaf swings. A rise of four inches over the length of a six foot leaf is enough to drag. Many lots in Williamson County slope toward the road for drainage, so the gate is measured at the post and again at the free end of the arc.

What does a falling drive do?

A drive that falls away leaves a growing gap under the leaf. A large gap lets dogs and children through, and it looks wrong from the street. The bottom rail is stepped, or a lower rail is added, or the frame is built in a racked shape that follows the grade. A picket gate with the lower ends cut at an angle follows the slope without a visible step.

How is the bottom rail height set?

The bottom rail sits at least two inches above the highest point of the arc, and no more than four inches above the lowest. The string line and level give both numbers. The rail height is then fixed on the drawing, and the frame is welded to match, since a gate cannot be cut down after it is galvanized or powder coat finished.

When does the slope call for a different gate?

A steep rise suits a rising hinge, which lifts the leaf as it opens and drops it as it closes. A steeper rise suits a slide gate or a cantilever gate, which stays level above the surface and does not swing across the slope. Near Interstate 35 and the streets around Georgetown Square, lots are often narrow and steep enough to force that choice.

How does the operator fit a sloped drive?

An operator needs level ground under the arm or the track. A swing operator mounted on a slope tilts the arm and loads the motor unevenly, so the post bracket is leveled with a welded plate. A gate opener on a slide gate needs a flat track, and the concrete under it is poured to a level line, not to the grade of the drive.

What is checked before the leaf is hung?

The leaf is lifted into place by hand and swung through its full arc with a block under the free end. Any point where the rail touches the pavement is marked. Steel is cut or the hinge is raised only after the arc is clear. The test repeats after the hinges are set and again after the post concrete has cured.