Gates are the number one reason pools fail inspection, and the most common reason children get into pool areas. The law is blunt: your gate must swing shut and latch by itself, from any open position, every single time. Here is how to diagnose the usual suspects.
1. The gate closes but does not latch
Usually latch alignment. Gates sag over time, and the latch pin drops below the catch. Most magnetic latches have a vertical adjustment: loosen the fixing screws, realign the pin to the centre of the catch, retighten. If the latch body itself has worked loose, refit it firmly, a latch that moves under hand pressure is a fail.
2. The gate does not swing shut at all
Spring tension in the hinges. Most pool gate hinges have an adjustable spring: a tension screw or a twist-and-pin collar. Increase tension until the gate closes and latches from a near-closed position, the hardest test, because that is where the swing is slowest. If the hinge no longer holds tension, replace it, hinges are cheap and sold at every hardware store.
3. It works in the morning but not the afternoon
Heat expansion. Metal gates and posts expand in the sun and bind against the latch or frame. If your gate only fails on hot days, adjust the latch clearance while the gate is hot, then re-test in the morning.
4. The gate drags on the ground
Either the gate has dropped (tighten or replace the hinges) or the ground has lifted. Remember the gap rule while you are down there: under-gate clearance must stay at 100mm or less.
While you have the tools out
Check the two numbers on the diagram: latch release at least 1500mm above ground, and hinges at least 900mm apart (or fitted with anti-climb caps) so they cannot be used as steps. And never, ever prop a pool gate open, it voids everything the gate exists to do.
Fixed it? Run through the rest of the free pool safety checklist before your inspection. Not confident? A virtual inspection can look at the gate with you over video before you spend money on parts.