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.
5 Things to Consider When Deciding Between a Wood or Metal Gate
Although there are a wide range of styles and designs of gates to choose from, there are mainly two materials used for building them: wood and metal. When deciding between these two materials, it is important to consider some important factors that will define the lifespan of your gate. Once you learn about the pros and cons of each, then you can confidently select the material for your gate and have the peace of mind that you have made the right long-term decision.
Following are 5 things to consider when deciding between a wood or metal gate:
1. Durability
UV sun rays, heavy crosswinds, hail, and rainstorms can take their toll on a wooden gate. Wood becomes warped after the unending contracting and expanding cycles of enduring the intense summer heat and the winter moisture throughout the years. Apart from this, there’s another major threat to wood: termites. Termites can break down wood to twig-like weakness, given the time. On the other hand, these natural elements are ineffective against a metal gate.
2. Maintenance
As mentioned before, wood breaks down from enduring endless cycles of nature so proper maintenance and repairs becomes necessary to keep the gate intact and strong for years to come. Doing this requires money and time, regardless of whether you do it yourself or hire someone else. On the other hand, a metal gate will require virtually no maintenance or repairs. Metal such as steel and aluminum is naturally durable and maintenance-free, especially steel because it has non-rusting features.
3. Cost
When it comes to costs, most people prefer wood over metal as it seems relatively inexpensive and has low upfront cost of installation and materials. Apart from this, wood is an inexpensive raw material as it is easy to cut, carve, and hammer together. However, there are further costs associated with this material – annual maintenance and treatments costs add up with the passage of time. As compared to this, a metal gate is more expensive up front, but it has little to no extra costs -so the initial investment is all you will need to worry about as metal gate is built to last. So, a metal gate tends to be more cost-effective in the long-run.
4. Security
Metal is a preferable option when it comes to security as wood that has been weakened by natural elements is easy to snap, allowing easy access to thieves and intruders. And even if your wooden gate is well-maintained, it is still relatively easy to break through with a concerted effort. On the other hand, gaining entry through a metal gate would require a lot of effort, making it an ideal option when security is your main concern.
5. Aesthetics
There is a definitive visual appeal to the charm and warmth of wood. Wooden gates can complement the landscape, design, and architecture of a traditional style property very well. Metal gates on the other hand go well with state-of-the-art architecture. Therefore, it is recommended that you consider the architecture and design of your home before deciding whether to choose wood or metal for your main gate.
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.
We are also available 24/7 for emergency service anywhere in our service area, including cities such as Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, Canyon Lake, Lake Elsinore, Wildomar, Winchester, Hemet, San Jacinto, Perris, Fallbrook, Escondido, Vista, Carlsbad, Oceanside, Rancho Santa Fe, San Diego, and other surrounding cities.
