Automatic gates offer several powerful benefits on top of security, privacy, and curb-appeal purposes. Electric gates also add value to a property. Still, an automatic gate installation can help you manage movement in and out of the property remotely.
But all that works when the gate is in good condition.
And, like other machines you own, an automatic gate will require proper maintenance to keep working for you.
So, where do you start?
Get a professional automatic gate repair and maintenance service to care, clean, and fix replacements. Do that once a year for residential gates or twice a year for medium-usage applications such as a car park gate for an apartment block.
Or, do it three times a year for busy commercial applications.
From there, use these practical tips from an automatic gate repair company in Ventura, CA.
1. Keep the Gate Clean
Not even the best-automated gate systems can withstand dirt clogging up their sensitive components.
Dirt can cause your iron gate to fade, flake, and rust. At that point, you’d need to remove, sandblast, powder-coat, and rehung the gate. That’s clearly more expensive than a 30-minute wash.
For regular cleaning, just use a hosepipe to rinse off loose dirt and dust. Wash it every few months. Or clean it when you notice substantial soiling.
There’s more.
• Use household detergent if you notice rust.
• Scrub the area gently with sandpaper in case there’s a bit of corrosion, too.
PS: Avoid spraying water on your automatic gate opener. It can turn into an electrocution threat fast and a medical emergency even quicker.
2. Wax the Gate from Time to Time
A protective wax adds sheen to the metal. But waxing does more than work well for appearances.
It also helps turn metal into water-resistant surfaces. That’s great when you want to protect your metallic gate from rust damage.
You’ll only need to wax your automatic gate once a year.
If you have a wooden gate, paint and oil it to keep pristine for long.
3. Lubricate the Important Parts
Lubricate the parts that move the automatic gate every six months.
Lubrication makes the parts friction-free for a smooth operation. Besides, fluid swings and slides prevent wear and tear.
Note that the quality of the lubricant matters here. Avoid inferior quality oils such as WD40.
Instead, use white lithium grease or a silicon-based lubricant
4. Keep your Gate Bugs-Free
Slugs, snails, and spiders can turn your gate into their fortress. They may seem harmless to a majestic, metal gate. But they tend to leave behind electrically-conductive slime trails.
That moisture can damage sensitive electrical components such as a gate opener’s circuit board components.
Others, such as ants, bees, and wasps, fill electronic fixtures with organic matter such as soil, nectar, and leaf litter. The residue tends to erode and degrade gates over time.
So, what to do?
Use pest control to protect your property-front investment.
5. Inspect the Gate Regularly
Create and follow a regular schedule to inspect your gate. Pay special attention to the bearings, bolts, electrical connections, drive belts, dents in panels, gate opener, and metal tracks.
If you notice loose bolts on springs or cables, do not try to tighten them as they break easily. Instead, call an automatic gate repair technician to help you.
Also, ensure that the power supply is on the motor. Otherwise, you will not have a functional automatic gate.
Conclusion
Gate openers can last a decade with proper maintenance. Automatic gates can last even longer—up to 20 years, again, with consistent care.
Remember that even seemingly harmless things like plants, bugs, and dirt can cause massive damage to your equipment.