If you live in a community that belongs to a homeowners association (HOA) there certain rules that must be followed, including various fees that go towards the various types of maintenance needed throughout the community, helping to keep things looking good and working to full capacity.
In the case of a gated community, automatic gate servicing is often included in the HOA fees. While this may seem like an unnecessary expensive, regular servicing of an automatic gate is very worthwhile for many reasons.
Here are 4 reasons why automatic gate service should be a regular part of HOA maintenance:
Help Keep the Gate Well Maintained
Servicing is an important part of automatic gate maintenance. It’s recommended that a gate is serviced at least once a year, giving a technician the chance to check to see everything is working and that no issues are developing.
If a community uses the gate frequently, such as with a gated community, then it makes sense for the HOA maintenance fees to cover the servicing, as the gate is being used multiple times per day so it will need more regular servicing to keep it in good condition.
Make Sure the Gate is Working Safely
Regular gate servicing is needed to check all safety features on the gate are functioning properly. Avoid getting it serviced and the gate could be a potential safely hazard to residences, so its servicing should be frequent and covered by HOA maintenance fees to ensure the safety of all residents.
The Gate Will Last Longer
With regular maintenance, an automatic gate can last for up to 20 years or even longer. As servicing is a core part of good gate maintenance, if a community is covering the costs in their HOA fees than they can expect their gate or gates to last for much longer.
Should servicing not be included with HOA maintenance, there’s a good chance it doesn’t get serviced as often as it should, increasing the chances of problems occurring that shorten its lifespan.
So, HOA fees may end up saving more money in the long term, as a replacement gate or getting extensive repairs is much costlier than just a regular gate servicing!
Gate Aesthetics
Now, gate servicing doesn’t involve a deep clean with a pressure washer but there are parts that will be cleaned, lubricated, and unclogged. This all helps to maintain the gate’s functions but also its appearance, helping to slow down things like rusting and generally keeping the appearance of the gate in good shape.
HOAs tend to focus on the appearance of the community and keeping it to a high standard. The gate is often the front door for many of these communities, so keeping it in good shape with regular servicing is certainly worthwhile for most HOAs.
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 a stylish and secure entranceway to any property. It’s also very convenient, automatically opening while the driver waits, saving the time and effort needed to manually open and close the gate.
Of course, an automatic gate is situated outside so it faces all kinds of elements. It’s also being used every day, so the mechanisms and motors are susceptible to wear and tear, meaning an automatic gate often suffers from operating problems that may require professional repairs.
When it comes to getting repairs, you always want the job to be done as quickly as possible, so it helps to have some information ready before you call for repairs. This will help the repair company identify the problem you’re having and make it easier to get a quick solution.
Be sure to have these 4 pieces of info ready before calling for an automatic gate repair:
What the Problem Is
It seems obvious but you should always have information on what the problem is with the gate. For instance, is it not opening or closing? Does the gate stop halfway as it opens? Is it making strange noises or producing an odd smell? Is the remote controller not working?
There could be any number of reasons that your gate isn’t working properly and the repair company will know what to look out for. So, by giving them a quick rundown of the problem you are facing they can identify the cause and how to fix it.
Gate Type
There are various types of automatic gates and some problems are exclusive to each type. Therefore, you want to have the information on what type of gate you have installed so that the repair company knows exactly what they are dealing with.
For example, problems with an automatic sliding gate often relates to the gate track. It could be a problem specific to sliding gates, such as clogged gate track, or more general automatic gate problem such a faulty motor.
Always identify the type of gate you have, such as a swing gate, sliding gate, telescopic gate, or bi-folding gate. This makes troubleshooting quicker and easier for the person on the phone!
Motor Type
You should also have information on what type of motor your gate uses, as different motors have different issues. For example, underground gate motors often get flooded due to poor drainage and/or clogging, which may cause the motor to fail.
There could be any number of electrical or mechanical issues with an automatic gate motor, so it helps to know what type you have so that the repair technician can determine what the cause of the problem might be.
Gate Location
The location of the gate may be at the root of the problem it is having, which is why it helps to have some quick info on where the gate is on your property. For instance, if an automatic gate is located on a slope the motor is under more strain than a gate on level ground, so this could be the cause of the 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 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.
