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.
Automatic gates provide an extra level of security for a residential or commercial property. Not only does an automatic gate offer peace of mind and security, it also offers you the convenience of opening and closing the gate remotely. However, there do exist some common automatic gate problems which you have to keep an eye out for.
Following are the 6 most common automatic gate problems:
1. Noise
Sometimes, an automatic gate can generate a large amount of noise when opening and closing. There could be a number of reasons behind it that don’t always seem immediately clear. Usually, the noise occurs because the mechanism that moves the gates is worn out. You can fix this automatic gate problem by taking apart and then reassembling the mechanism or having a new part fitted.
2. Gate Won’t Open or Close
This usually occurs due to power outage. Automatic gates require a constant supply of electricity in order to operate properly. Power outages and failures will prevent your automatic gate from working. If your gate is not opening or closing, then you should check whether there is a power outage. If there is no power outage or any other electrical problem, then test your automatic gate manually to identify any operational issues. Hire the help of a professional if you cannot identify the cause of the problem.
3. Faulty Remote Control
A faulty remote control is another common automatic gate problem. The remote control needs to be kept in a good working condition if you want to make sure that it will be able to open and close your electric gate without any issues. Usually, the batteries of the remote control start to fade. You should check and replace the batteries and try again. If the problem is not solved, then replacing the remote is the only solution.
4. Pest Invasion
Automatic gates operate by using sensors that trigger motion. However, your gate will fail to open if the sensors are blocked. Vermin and insects can climb into the dark spaces provided by the gate, causing an obstruction. Make sure that such spaces are kept clear of dirt and pests so that the sensors work perfectly at all times. Mold and moss can cause a similar obstruction so you should keep an eye out for those as well.
5. Stuck in Manual Mode
Sometimes, the gate becomes stuck in the manual mode and does not open and close automatically. There could be a problem with the batteries in the remote or with the gate’s opening mechanism. It is recommended that you check both of these problems to figure out why the gate is stuck in manual mode.
6. Worn Track
If the opening and closing movement of your automatic gate is not fluid, then it is recommended that you physically check your gate’s functionality. If the gate jerks along or gets stuck when opening and closing, then it a sign that your track is worn. You should hire professional automatic gate repair service to fix this problem.
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.
