Automatic gates. Those wonderful, aesthetically pleasing, superb security systems that can offer it all. With professional electric gate companies able to install various styles and types of gates and intercom systems, electric gates have fast become a popular choice.
If we’re honest, the installation of electric gates is almost the easy part.
The element that property owners with electric gates must remember and ensure that this service is carried out regularly is maintenance.
To keep your gates in tip-top condition and good working order, regular maintenance and servicing are vital.
The good news is that whether your gate is for residential or commercial properties, automatic gate maintenance, and electric gate repairs are pretty straightforward – if you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and some of our handy hints and tips listed below!
Note: More complex maintenance and servicing work must be carried out by experienced, qualified professionals (that’s why it’s always a good idea to keep our number handy xxx)
Top tips for electric gate maintenance
Check your gates regularly – this might seem fairly obvious, but to help keep everything on track, we’d recommend following a routine schedule that can provide you with a quick checklist of everything you should keep an eye on when it comes to your gates. Things to add to the list could include:
- Gate openers
- Metal racks
- Tracks
- Rollers
- Drive belt
- Bearings
- Panels
- Connection boxes
- And more.
If you spot anything untoward or that could do with upgrading, make sure to call a professional electrical gate repair team.
Keep an eye out for rust and rot – your automatic gates are subject to all weather conditions, and as such, depending on the type of material you have chosen for your gate will depend on rusting or with wooden style gates rotting.
At the first sign of rust on the gate, wash with a mild detergent. However, if the rust is more advanced, it might need sanding down before being restored.
For wood, varnishing and painting will help provide the wood with a coating to protect it from external elements.
Keep your gates clean – wiping down your gates, oiling the tracks, touching up the paint, etc., are all part of electric gate maintenance. It’s important to ensure no dirt or debris are caught in the gate tracks that could cause potential blockages or act as obstructions and make sure to remove any cobwebs or bugs from hinges and control boxes (for all these creatures are small, they can cause an awful lot of damage if they get inside the wiring).
Keep moving parts well lubricated – ideally, we recommend this every six months to keep things moving smoothly. Typical parts to grease include the chain, pulley, roller, hinge, and any screws that may be on the show. Keeping these parts well lubricated reduces the overall wear and tear, increasing the gate’s overall lifespan.
Check the auto-reverse section – this is where, if there is an obstruction in the path of the gate, the gate will recognise the obstruction and stop, reversing the door back open to avoid any accident or injury. This testing process ideally should be carried out every month.
Electric gate repair, Leeds
Maintenance and repair work is essential to ensure that your gate remains compliant with industry regulations and to keep the gate’s day-to-day operation running smoothly.
How often you should service your gate does depend on its usage, our recommendations based on use follow:
- Low usage, i.e., residential properties – annually
- Medium usage, i.e., car parks – 2-3 times per year
- Heavy usage, i.e., commercial use – 3-4 times per year
At Adfabs, we inspect, test, and repair all electric gates in Leeds, West Yorkshire to an exceptionally high standard and as part of our regular service packages. Reducing the chance of any potential issues arising that could impact your day today.
Benefits of automatic gate maintenance
- Any problems can be found and repaired before they become an issue.
- There is less downtime.
- Minimal disruption.
- Increases the lifespan of the gates.
- Keeps gates compliant.
- It keeps everyone safe.
The maintenance tips we’ve mentioned are just a handful of works that can be carried out to help extend the lifespan of your gate.
To save you time and what can feel like a bit of hassle, hiring a maintenance team might be the most suitable option for you.
At Adfabs, we design, install and offer some of the best and most comprehensive maintenance packages around.
To find out about electric gates in Leeds, give us a call today on 01274 307117.