DIY
UPDATE: The Gate is Secured
All I did was switch the pressure bolt from the bottom left to the top left, now the DIY pressure bolt sits at the bottom left, the gate is used for dogs and the reason why I don’t just “shut the door” I do shut my door yet it always ends up open, so I put an end to it with this gate!
Discussion
These kinds of gates are truly not intended for stairwells, it’s a danger especially for humans. What you need is something like https://cardinalgates.com/product-category/baby-gates/wall-mounted/
Cardinal sells scratch and dent versions on eBay for 1/2 the price. I have several of them, they all looked brand new to me. Highly recommend replacing your gate. Highly.
Ty for the eBay tip. Getting one to replace my pressure gate.
When we had similar gates, I mounted chair leg caps into the stud that fit the pressure pad to ensure the gates wouldn't walk.
Was basically this screwed into a stud so the gate wasn't retained by pressure alone.
This, when I bought a gate for my dog it came with caps to screw in to the wall. Ended up not even using the gate because my dog is dumb and hates circles so I can just put a hula hoop in the doorway and she won't go near it.
This is so funny
Me, a health and safety professional, seeing all the comments about how this is an unsafe configuration:
Edit: digging a little deeper, seems OP already made a post about this and the comments also told him not to do this... so, shame on you OP, but please give us another update when this inevitably ends in injury so we can all get that sweet sweet schadenfreude
The thing swings out over the stairs? Holy cow. All the other comments about pressure mounted at top of stairs withstandgibg, Nothing should open to the stairs like that. This is an accident waiting to happen
I bought a gate like this to keep my 18 month old contained.
First thing he did after I installed it? Crawled up, pulled himself up on it, undid the latch immediately first try, plopped down, crawled out.
I was both annoyed and impressed.
I stared at the first picture for far too long thinking it was some security gate in a strange parking garage or something with a white concrete floor, not seeing that the picture is rotated and it’s a stairway.
It’s late here and I’m tired.
THANK YOU. I couldn't understand what the long bits of wood were across the floor or why the gate only went halfway across or what the weird concertina garage door was doing.
It's not late here I have no excuse.
I 100% guarantee you that that gate will be pushed open despite being latched. I have two of them, kids like to play with the little screws that spread out the wall mounts, which, as I’m sure you know opens the gap where the latch contacts the gate frame… this is fine for dogs, but it’s not fine for kids.
I just want to make sure this is in the comments for any future person who stumbles upon the post.
This gate is for dogs, and therefore this is ok. But never use a pressure gate at the stop of the stairs for kids. Kids will stand on it, they'll push on it, they'll shake it... the pressure gate will eventually give way and your kids will fall down the stairs (with the gate) and can be seriously injured.
Also seems like a hazard for adults who need to open it while coming up the stairs....there are many reasons not to use these gates like this
Thue typically state right on the gate or on the first page of the manual not to use at the top of a staircase
Upvoted to make it stays at the top.
There are specific “top of stairs” gates made that are a lot sturdier.
Thank you!!! The number of new parents trying to install pressure gates at the top of stairs is astounding.
Dogs will do those things too. And adults can do it accidentally. It’s really not safe.
It’s still a trip hazard since the bottom bar of the gate eats into tread space. Back of your heel hits that and cause the reflex to make your knee bend and bam.
However, since it’s adults and dogs, it’s their own business.
Hell. I secured mine with screws directly into the studs and those little bastards still figured out a way to break it.
The bottom bar is also a tripping hazard. In this case it makes the top stair narrower. No bueno
So what are you supposed to use instead?
Secured, screwed in gates. It's not always easy but it's the only truly safe option.
Yeah, and gates like the one pictured typically come with cups you screw on to the wall to hold the pressure feet so it won’t move should you need to install it as shown.
The bottom cross bar along the floor is also a trip hazard. The ones for the top of the stairs are completely open when the gate is open