Automatic gates offer the perfect combination of security and convenience for gated communities. Providing quick and easy access for residents while keeping unwanted visitors from entering without permission, the ability to control access to a gated community is one of their biggest selling points.
Yet like with type of technology, automatic gates are susceptible to damage over time. This can be caused by natural wear and tear, weather conditions, or unwanted pests damaging the internal components of the gate opener.
Here is 5 of the most common automatic gate repairs for gated communities:
1. Pest Removal
Insects, small reptiles, and mice are all pests that commonly cause damage to automatic gates in gated communities. This is mainly because parts of the gate offer the perfect cover for these pests, leading to components being chewed, obstructions caused, and all manner of issues.
For instance, geckos and lizards are known to hide in areas were sensors are placed, causing an obstruction that prevents the gate from automatically opening. Insects often nest inside of control boxes too and can damage electronics.
Thankfully, the repairs are mostly removing the pests and cleaning any mess they may have left behind.
2. Control Box Repairs
Control boxes are usually well protected from the elements but problems often arise when there is too much moisture. Condensation developing inside of a control box can seriously damage the electronics, causing the gate to stop functioning.
Repairs for this problem are more complex, often requiring a completely new control box to be installed or certain components to be replaced.
3. Gate Engine Repairs
Sometimes the weather isn’t to blame, with older gate motors featuring components that have corroded over time and no longer function. If the automatic gate is over 10 years old there is a good chance the control box has simply deteriorated over time.
Repairs can be difficult and it may be a case that replacing the motor is more cost-effective solution. Newer gates that have similar issues with the gate engine are usually easier to repair. Keep this in mind if your gated community is using an older automatic gate.
4. Structural Repairs
Sometimes an automatic gate is damaged by collisions, trees falling, or vandalism. These require more basic repairs to the overall structure of the gate, such as welding broken sections of the gate, realigning the gate with the track, or replacing any damaged hinges.
5. Remote Control Repairs
Sometimes the problem is with the remote control opener rather than the gate itself. These issues can range from something simple like a dead battery to more significant problems like programming faults. In any case, remote controls are typically quick and easy to repair, although it depends on how many controllers are having issues in the gated community.
For top-notch automatic gates for your home or business, Superior Gate Services is the trusted local choice. To get ideas and to see some recent examples of our work, take a look at our gallery page. When you are looking for a new gate or any related equipment, we welcome you to either contact us through our website or call us at (855) 747-4283 and one of our friendly representatives will be glad to answer any questions you have.
Businesses face a variety of security threats that can make or break the success of the organization. From break-ins to vandalism, your average business owner must ensure their property remains safe and secure, not just to protect money and valuable goods but also for the safety of staff and customers.
There are some obvious security measures a business can take, such as installing CCTV and heavy-duty locks on each door, yet some security products are often overlooked despite significantly enhancing the security of a business premises.
A robust security gate offers just that, helping to greatly improve the overall security by providing controlled access in and out of the premises. However, it’s not always obvious how beneficial a security gate is and whether your business even needs one.
Here are 4 signs that your business needs an automatic security gate:
Poorly Lit Parking Lot
If your business property has a lack of poor lighting around the parking lot then an automatic security gate may be a worthwhile investment. This is because a poorly lit parking lot is much more likely to attract unwanted attention such as thieves and vandals, as the poor lighting helps to hide what they’re doing.
Unsafe Parking Lot
Has there been instances of crime inside your parking lot? This often occurs due to poor lighting as mentioned above, yet even well-lit lots may be susceptible to various security threats such as theft or assault.
If there are on-going concerns about the safety of the parking lot then take immediate action and install an automatic security gate. It offers protection for any employees, customers, or visitors while acting as a great deterrent from would-be criminals.
Vandalism
If your business property is regularly vandalized then it may be a sign that a better security perimeter is required. Vandalism is a very expensive problem to fix, with it taking time and money to remove/repair damage from vandalism, especially if there is an ongoing occurrence.
Yet, vandalism must be dealt with otherwise it may reflect poorly on the business, especially those working retail or hospitality where the appearance of the business is very important. So, if there are signs of vandalism and it remains an ongoing problem, an automatic security gate offers the perfect solution by controlling access to limit unwanted vandals trespassing.
Theft
Whether internal or external, theft has a massive impact on your bottom line, so taking the time to prevent theft is highly recommended for any business. An automatic security gate offers a great solution to this problem, as it immediately enhances the security of your property.
Automatic gates control the flow of people in and out of the property, so by controlling who enters and exits the property you can help deter theft. You’ll have exact times and dates for when people enter and exit the property and be able to inspect vehicles, making it easier to identify suspects that have stolen from the business.
For top-notch automatic gates for your home or business, Superior Gate Services is the trusted local choice. To get ideas and to see some recent examples of our work, take a look at our gallery page. When you are looking for a new gate or any related equipment, we welcome you to either contact us through our website or call us at (855) 747-4283 and one of our friendly representatives will be glad to answer any questions you have.
Even the best automatic gates have a limited lifespan. Being exposed to the elements for so long will eventually cause damage to parts of the gate like the motor, internal components, hinges, and other important parts needed for it to function.
While repairing these automatic gate issues is possible, sometimes a gate has simply faced too much wear and tear to make it worth repairing. Sometimes its often cheaper and easier to simply replace the gate. Knowing when its time to replace your automatic gate can be difficult, especially when driving past and not paying much attention.
Here are 5 ways to know when it’s time to replace your automatic gate:
Slow Operation
The last thing you ever want from an automatic gate is slow operation – it completely ruins the entire purpose of the gate! So, if you find that your automatic gate is always taking a long time to open and close, there is a very good chance the opener needs to be replaced. Gates should open and close in just a few seconds!
Sometimes the issue is fixable, especially if its down to obstruction on the track or minor problems with the motor, but if you don’t notice obvious causes for the reduced mobility then a replacement is probably the only option.
Gate Doesn’t Close or Open
Just like slow operation, you never want your automatic gate to be unable to open or close, otherwise there isn’t much use to it. Again, check for obstructions to see if this is the cause of the problem. If not then you probably need to replace the motor or the entire gate depending on the severity of the problem and the availability of replacement parts.
No Spare Parts Available
As previously mentioned, sometimes you can fix common automatic gate problems by replacing parts, but these aren’t always available. In fact, if you find it impossible to buy any sort of replacement part, such as a motor or minor components, then you probably want to replace it.
With a new gate you get the benefit of having easily replaceable parts should problems arise down the line, saving you a lot time and money over the long-term.
Damaged Motor
When an automatic gate motor is heavily damaged then its an obvious sign a replacement is needed. However, there is no guarantee that a new motor is suitable for your gate, so sometimes it’s easier to just replace the entire thing.
Look for signs of corrosion or rusting around the motor to see how damaged it is. Sometimes wear and tear causes the damage while its often caused by extreme weather or even pests, so take the time to inspect the gate motor to determine if your gate needs replaced.
Not Enough Safety Features
Sometimes a gate is still operating but should still get replaced, usually when there are obvious safety risks using the gate. This often happens with older gates installed when there was a lack of safety regulations in place.
For instance, collision and crushing are a massive safety risk that could be present in older gates, so check for any safety features – or a lack thereof – to see whether your gate should be replaced with a safer upgrade.
For top-notch automatic gates for your home or business, Superior Gate Services is the trusted local choice. To get ideas and to see some recent examples of our work, take a look at our gallery page. When you are looking for a new gate or any related equipment, we welcome you to either contact us through our website or call us at (855) 747-4283 and one of our friendly representatives will be glad to answer any questions you have.
One of the biggest benefits of installing an automatic gate on your property is a combination of security and convenience. Your home is better protected from unwanted visitors but you can still easily enter and exit as you want, opening and closing the automatic gate remotely. It makes a huge difference compared to getting out of your car to manually open the gate!
There are several methods that you can use to open your automatic gate remotely to ensure you get the utmost convenience from your gate. Some are better than others, although the amount you want to spend and the number of remote-control access devices you need will influence which works best for you.
Here are the top 3 most convenient ways to open your automatic gate remotely:
Remote Control
As the name suggests, a remote-control device is usually the most convenient way to open your automatic gate remotely! There are various remote control devices for automatic gates, some with advanced features while others are more basic.
In most cases, it involves pressing a button or combination of buttons on the control device to send a signal to the receiver on the gate. This prompts the gate to open from various distances, with the more advanced remote control gate openers featuring an impressive range.
As the cheapest and most convenient device for opening an automatic gate, you cannot go wrong with a remote controller for quick and easy access to your property.
Fob/Cards
Fob or card access is another convenient way to remotely open an automatic gate, although the fact it needs to contact a sensor means you need to be a certain distance from the gate. This may not be much of an issue however, considering you need to wait for the gate to open anyway!
Plus, unlike a keypad that requires a number to be manually entered, you simply need to place the fob or card within reach of the receiver and the rest takes care of itself.
While you do need to contact the fob or card with the sensor near the gate, it remains a very convenient way to open the gate, especially because you don’t need to get outside of your vehicle!
Proximity Entry
While not the most secure form of entry, a proximity entry system offers plenty of convenience by automatically opening when your car is within a specific proximity of the sensor. Just pull up to the gate and it will start opening itself, offering the utmost convenience as you don’t need any type of device on you.
Of course, the big drawback is that restricting access is more difficult, although you can turn the proximity entry system off when you’re home to have more controlled access to your property.
For top-notch automatic gates for your home or business, Superior Gate Services is the trusted local choice. To get ideas and to see some recent examples of our work, take a look at our gallery page. When you are looking for a new gate or any related equipment, we welcome you to either contact us through our website or call us at (855) 747-4283 and one of our friendly representatives will be glad to answer any questions you have.
Luxurious and beautiful gated communities often resemble small towns, complete with environmental services, amenities, and security. A vast majority of the people in the country see gated communities as a luxurious lifestyle with all the perks and amenities they offer, but there are actually many affordable homes in gated communities across the states and they offer the same advantages.
Following are 4 advantages of living in a gated community:
1. Security
Gated communities are harder to get into, but that’s not a bad thing at all. In fact, it is a really good thing because the extra few seconds every day can save you from much stress. This makes it safer for you and your family. According to statistics, gated neighborhoods are a lot safer as compared to non-gates ones. Thanks to the strong security measures, criminal activity is significantly reduced in a gated community. Since it is difficult to get into a gated neighborhood, it also saves you from getting interrupted. No irrelevant person can bother you in a gated community because they simply cannot get in.
2. Privacy
Gated communities are also great when it comes privacy. They generally have less traffic going through at all times. Not only does this make the entire community quieter, but also safer for your kids. The children can play in the yard and even on the street thanks to the significantly reduced traffic. People may want to look for a shortcut through a neighborhood when they hit the rush hour. Gates make this impossible. No random cars can get into the neighborhood. This means the entire neighborhood is quieter and safer for you and your family.
3. Attractive Features and Amenities
Another advantage of gated communities is that they offer features and amenities that many find attractive for their quality of living and choice of style. Features such as semi-private and private marinas, child day care, golf courses, and on-site fitness clubs are being required by home buyers more and more in today’s real estate market. The amenities and features in many gated communities fulfill the needs and wants of these types of home buyers.
4. Quality of Homes is Also Higher
Along with all the above advantages, the quality of homes themselves are generally top-notch in gated communities. The houses usually have a high standard when there is a gate around the neighborhood. This includes everything from building of the house to the maintenance and upkeep. Many gated communities also have an HOA to keep all the houses in the neighborhood looking good. A gated community with an HOA is the way to go if you want your neighborhood to look fantastic.
Final Word
With all the above-mentioned advantages, it is hard to focus on minor annoyances like punching a code or using a remote for entry. If you can get past that, then you will be able to see all the advantages mentioned above and more. Gated communities are great for different kinds of people and chances are you will love it.
For top-notch automatic gates for your home or business, Superior Gate Services is the trusted local choice. To get ideas and to see some recent examples of our work, take a look at our gallery page. When you are looking for a new gate or any related equipment, we welcome you to either contact us through our website or call us at (855) 747-4283 and one of our friendly representatives will be glad to answer any questions you have.
There are various types of automatic gates openers available for anyone that wants to automate the opening and closing of their gates. The reason that there are various options to choose from is because different types of gates require different openers to make them automatic, so it’s important to choose a suitable motor for the appropriate gate.
Here are the top 4 top types of automatic gate openers and the gates they’re used for:
Linear Ram
A linear ram motor is possibly the most common type of automatic gate opener for swing gates. Different methods are used to operate the arm, including worm drive or screw jack. Each one retracts the arm attached to the motor to reduce the length and open the gate, after which it extends the arm to close it.
Their popularity stems from their affordable price and simple installation, simply attaching to the gate from the post, while the strength of the motor can be increased to accommodate larger sized gates.
Underground
Underground motors are another very popular type of automatic gate opener, offering a more discreet aesthetic that many prefer over visible motors. It’s installed beneath the ground inside of a protective case, with the drive arm connecting to the bottom of the gate.
Because the opener isn’t visible it doesn’t ruin the look of the gate, although it requires a more complex installation process that typically results in a higher price for the opener.
Articulated Arm
An articulated arm motor is one of the best automatic gate openers for smaller gates or gates with larger pillars that would struggle to fit the straight arm style of a ram motor. Rather than using a linear arm like a ram motor, the articulated arm motor utilizes a hinged arm that can reach around wider objects, making it especially popular for gates with large pillars.
It’s also a generally versatile opener, providing automation for most types of swing gates, even those pre-installed without any motor.
Sliding
A sliding motor is an opener that uses a cog and teeth action attached to the gate to open it in the preferred direction. It needs to be combined with a guide track, roller guides, or a cantilever device to get it to open in the desired direction.
When choosing a sliding motor opener, you need to think amount the motor’s power. The bigger the gate the more power is needed on the motor to ensure it opens at the necessary distance, with heavier weight putting more strain on the opener.
For top-notch automatic gates for your home or business, Superior Gate Services is the trusted local choice. To get ideas and to see some recent examples of our work, take a look at our gallery page. When you are looking for a new gate or any related equipment, we welcome you to either contact us through our website or call us at (855) 747-4283 and one of our friendly representatives will be glad to answer any questions you have.
