Every homeowner invests money, efforts, and time to choose and install the best gates and openers. A lot of people even prefer purchasing automatic gates from reputed manufacturers that offer longer product warranty. But the durability and performance of your automatic gate will be severely impacted if you don’t concentrate on simple maintenances. When you ignore certain things regarding your automatic gate, you further increase risks of bearing high repair and service expenses. That’s why it is recommended that you avoid the common mistakes when it comes to maintaining your automatic gate.
Make sure you don’t do these 6 things with your automatic gate:
1. Skipping on Rust Prevention Efforts
To ensure proper functioning of your automatic gate through the years, one of the most important things you can do is to prevent rust. Rust development on an automatic gate isn’t just unpleasant, it is also detrimental to its functioning. You can usually scrub the rust of your metal automatic gate via sandpaper. It is recommended that you inspect the gate for rust and remove it on a regular basis so that the metal components of your gate are properly maintained.
2. Neglecting Routine Inspections
Visual inspection of automatic gates is extremely important as it helps detect various malfunctions before they become too serious. It is highly recommended that you occasionally perform visual inspections of your automatic gate’s parts e.g. bearings, electrical connections, chain belt, drive belt, metal racks, etc. If there are any wooden parts on your gate, then you should particularly inspect them to see if they require being oiled or stained to prevent problems e.g. rot development.
3. Ignoring an Obvious Problem
Don’t ignore even a minor problem with your automatic gate. For example, a squeaky noise from your gate may seem like nothing serious but it could be very costly to repair. So, if you notice anything serious about your automatic gate, then it is highly recommended that you call an automatic gate repair company to have it professionally inspected.
4. Never Cleaning Your Automated Gate
Simply cleaning automatic gates from time to time is important to both functionality and aesthetics. You can wax and wash your gate often enough to keep the materials in good condition as well as prevent salt from accumulating on metal parts, increasing the risk of rust development.
5. Failing to Properly Lubricate Moving Parts
Moving parts of an automatic gate, or any gate for that matter, wear out and break more quickly if they are not properly lubricated. Inadequate lubrication can result in automation mechanism of your gate easily getting disabled. So, don’t fail to properly lubricate the moving parts (e.g. hinge, roller, pulley, chain, etc.) of your automatic gate.
6. Trying to Repair or Replace Parts on Your Own
In order to save money, some homeowners try to repair/replace their automatic gate parts on their own, ending up damaging the gate in the process. Automatic gates have complex mechanisms which are not easy to repair or replace. So, it is recommended that you call a professional automatic gate repair company in case you suspect any parts need repair or replacement.
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 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.
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.
Automatic gates have increased in popularity over the last several years mainly because of the extra security, protection, and convenience they offer. They have also become quite affordable. However, automatic gates require maintenance from time to time. There are some automatic gate parts that malfunction and need replacement more often than others. You should know about them so you can properly maintain your automatic gate and make sure that it keeps working as it should.
Following are 6 automatic gate parts that most often need to be replaced:
1. Power Supply
This is one of the parts of an automatic gate that often malfunctions but some people don’t check. If there is a problem, you should first check the circuit breakers. Look at other equipment such as keypad or intercom to see if the lights are on. If the circuit breaker keeps tripping, then you may need to call an automatic gate repair service and have it repaired/replaced. Sometimes, replacing the battery is the only reliable solution.
2. Remote Control
If the remote control of your automatic gate ceases to function, then you probably just need to replace it’s batteries. However, sometimes there is another issue and replacing the batteries doesn’t help. If that is the case, then you will need to buy a new remote control. You should contact the company that installed your automatic gate in order to get all the information you need to buy a replacement remote control.
3. Gate Motors
Gate motors are one of the most important parts of automatic gates. Motors can be damaged by pests, water, and other items. Elements inside the motor such as wires and transmitter can also malfunction. In case of a motor malfunction, it is recommended that you contact your gate professional to have a look at it. Sometimes they require minor repairs but if the problem is severe, then you may need to replace the motor entirely.
4. Tracks
If you have an automatic sliding gate, then you may face a problem where your gate is not sliding smoothly or it gets stuck at certain points along the track. Twigs, stones, and other debris can damage the tracks and wheels of the gate. Call your local automatic gate expert to learn about what type of replacement parts or service you will need to fix the problem.
5. Keypad
Sometimes the keypad of the electric gate does not work as it should. If you find that access codes are not working properly, then you may need to reset your codes. However, if the problem persists, then you will need to call in a gate expert. There may be an electrical malfunction or a wiring issue that is preventing your keypad from working properly. Sometimes, replacing the keypad is the only reliable solution.
6. Light Sensors
Light sensors are a very important part of many automatic gates. Often, these sensors fail to respond correctly due to dust and other factors. If the issue is occurring because of dust, then you will simply need to clean the sensors off. However, you may need to replace them if the issue is not resolved.
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.
