Bad case of EGS

[JOEPRO]

I made my own gates about 5 years ago. Hollow section on the gates for weight as they are large and they were hot dip galvanised.

I just noticed today there are splits in 3 or 4 of the lower section of vertical bars:



This has surprised me a little, the box sections are also locally bulging a bit.

Looking closer I see that these box sections have a galv drain hole at the top and bottom. And the bottom holes are blocked by the galv.



The most likely cause I can think of is water filling up inside these SHS's and frost having caused the split damage.

Anyone any better ideas on this EGS case? I will need to open up these lower drain holes on all affected bars then and probably will have to weld up and galvafroid the splits.

 

[JOEPRO]

EGS = Exploding Gate Syndrome

 

[dan.taylor.1]

It'll be as you say, drain holes blocked (probably weren't big enough to begin with) and filled with water.

 

[voipio]

Did you fill it with Crackamite, or one of the others (Betonamit, Dynacem) by any chance? ;-)

 

[Guzrik]

Make sure thre is no water in and close top hole? I'd spray some grease in first.

 

[GRW]

That's a PITA esp after just 5-years. I doubt I'd have noticed the drain holes either - & just bad luck it was the bottom ones blocked.
Ironically if you'd not had them galved at all - the metal would probably be in better condition at this point.

 

[Agroshield]

I will need to open up these lower drain holes

For the time it takes, once you have opened up the lower holes, maybe poke a piece of wire from top to bottom just to make sure there is no obstruction. Possibly, a bright light shone in at the top might be visible at the bottom. Or blow air in the top.

 

[JOEPRO]

For the time it takes, once you have opened up the lower holes, maybe poke a piece of wire from top to bottom just to make sure there is no obstruction. Possibly, a bright light shone in at the top might be visible at the bottom. Or blow air in the top.

Good idea yes I will do that. I will use air blown through the posts In all cases to see they are clear then I think I will also grey mastic fill the upper holes. This way rain water cannot have a direct path inwards again in the future either.

I had pre drilled the drain holes then pointed them facing inwards to the next post VS being visible on either finished side of the gates. So I'll maybe need a shortened drill bit and 90degree drill to open them up cleanly again.

 

[JOEPRO]

These are the my gates for anyone curious:



There were also railings made to match on top of the walls. The railings I made with solid bar as Weight wasn't such an issue.

 

[Gareth J]

You may have already considered it but it's worth working out how the flow of galve is going to work to not allow zones of uncoated steel. I've had to cut and shut all the ends from gates that have, due to single holes in the ends, and that angle of dipping, allowed areas in all the ends of the tubes to remain uncoated.

A more foolproof way to ensure good coverage (and galve dippers do need foolproof) is to notch two sides of both ends of pipe. Or to through drill the perpendicular bar that holds them. Not so neat but hey ho. IAE have really nailed getting a design that dips well if you've ever seen theirs.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

These are the my gates for anyone curious:

You really don't want visitors, do you?

 

[JOEPRO]

You may have already considered it but it's worth working out how the flow of galve is going to work to not allow zones of uncoated steel. I've had to cut and shut all the ends from gates that have, due to single holes in the ends, and that angle of dipping, allowed areas in all the ends of the tubes to remain uncoated.

A more foolproof way to ensure good coverage (and galve dippers do need foolproof) is to notch two sides of both ends of pipe. Or to through drill the perpendicular bar that holds them. Not so neat but hey ho. IAE have really nailed getting a design that dips well if you've ever seen theirs.

This is good advice.

I should note that I am not in the trade of metalwork and this was a one off DIY project for my own house.

I went and bought the components and bars etc then drew them up perfect scale in autocad to make my design and schedule out the curves & leaves etc which were plasma cut by specialist using cad file.

 

[Barking Mat]

Very nice gates.

 

[JOEPRO]

You really don't want visitors, do you?

There used to be a nightclub on every weekend near where I live. There was alot of vandalism over the years at my neighbours houses. Then they tried to get into my house a couple of times too and actually bent the original gates. But couldn't get in as I had the gates chained together

The strength of several drunk / drugged up people is immeasurable when they want to do damage!!

On those nights when they bent my gates they went on to kick car doors in and smash a window next door. I live in a quiet town area so this is not normal at all!!

The police called out to discuss with our road and advised they would NOT be providing any assistance or patrols. Given my rates are £200 a month this was a little disappointing. Especially since 6 or 8 police cars parked up at the nightclub and sat there every night it was on, it wasn't asking for much.

I responded by making my own heavy duty secure gates which are drunk idiot proof.

Fortunately about a year later the nightclub closed and only operates a handful of times a year.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

There used to be a nightclub on every weekend near where I live. There was alot of vandalism over the years at my neighbours houses. Then they tried to get into my house a couple of times too and actually bent the original gates. But couldn't get in as I had the gates chained together

The strength of several drunk / drugged up people is immeasurable when they want to do damage!!

On those nights when they bent my gates they went on to kick car doors in and smash a window next door. I live in a quiet town area so this is not normal at all!!

The police called out to discuss with our road and advised they would NOT be providing any assistance or patrols. Given my rates are £200 a month this was a little disappointing. Especially since 6 or 8 police cars parked up at the nightclub and sat there every night it was on, it wasn't asking for much.

I responded by making my own heavy duty secure gates which are drunk idiot proof.

Fortunately about a year later the nightclub closed and only operates a handful of times a year.

Completely understandable on your part, and shame on Plod for their attitude.

 

[Turbo]

The cracks could also be due to the poor quality Chinese steel that is prevalent everywhere!