Garden Gate Latch Rusted? Here's How to Replace It
In this quick project, I replaced a rusted-out garden gate latch with a galvanized one that won’t corrode again anytime soon. It’s a simple job, and in this post I’ll show you what comes in the pack, the tools you'll need, and how to fit it properly—even if the old screws are totally knackered.
What You Get in the Pack
Most standard gate latch kits come with:
A latch and arm
Six galvanized screws
The key thing here is that the screws and latch are galvanized, so they won’t rust out like the old one.
Tools You'll Need
Impact driver or screwdriver
Phillips bit
Optional: a bradawl or small drill bit for marking
Step-by-Step: Removing the Old Latch
First up, I tried using an impact driver to remove the old screws, but thanks to years of rust, they were soft and stripped easily. If yours are the same, use some leverage or you might be able to back the screws out carefully with pliers or a flathead screwdriver.
If the screw heads are totally gone, you might need to dig them out or drill around them.
Installing the New Latch
Start by checking the placement of the new latch. You can do this by eye, but I’d recommend marking it with a pencil. On my gate, I had to line it up between the horizontal slats so the arm would meet the latch cleanly.
Don’t reuse the old screw holes. They’re likely too loose, and the screws won’t bite properly. Instead, drill fresh pilot holes to get a solid fix.
Attach the latch first using four screws, then line up the arm. Take care not to overdrive the screws—it's easy to strip the heads, especially when using an impact driver.
If it’s freezing cold (like it was when I did this), you can just use a screw to mark the pilot hole, but a bradawl would be easier and faster if your fingers aren’t frozen!
Job Done
And that’s it—one new gate latch fitted and working smoothly. Simple, quick, and should last for years now that it’s properly rust-proofed.
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Things you’ll need…
Cordless Impact Driver - https://geni.us/NxaLxh
Driver Bit Set - https://geni.us/oQeB
Gate Latch Pack - https://geni.us/mg6JK
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