We’re often asked about how automatic gates in Bradford will react to the winter weather. With potential snow and ice throughout the winter months in the UK, it’s important to know how to deal with these when it comes to your electronic gate system. Keep reading as we share our top tips for looking after your winter gates.
Service Your Gates Regularly
All year-round, you need to ensure you are keeping up with your servicing schedule. Automatic gates that are used each day need to be serviced to ensure they keep functioning for many years to come. Try to book a service with our team of professionals before the winter months so that you don’t have to worry about there being any issues before the colder weather hits. We’ll check all of the moving components and grease the hinges to ensure there are no problems that might cause your gates to seize up in the cold and snow.
Check Your Gates Daily for Snow and Ice
When we experience snow and ice here in the UK, you’ll want to start checking your gates daily. If snow has landed on your gates, make sure you sweep it off along with any snow that’s blocking the path of your gates. You can usually do this by hand, but we recommend avoiding using salt, as this will only damage your gates further. Before the snow even arrives, you’ll want to use the same method to remove autumn leaves. When these build up, they often rot and turn into compost, which stops the gates from opening and closing fully. The best approach is to check your gates daily during this time of the year to help avoid auto gates repairs.
Don’t Stop Using Your Gates in Winter
While you might think that you are protecting your gates by not using them in winter, that’s the opposite of what you should be doing. By running the gate motors a few times, you’ll ensure the inner gears are still working. You’ll also see if there are any issues with your electric gates in Bradford and can call our team before it’s too late to book in for a repair. The sooner you find the issues with your electric gates, the less likely it will cause long-term damage.
Assess Your Drainage
Most of us focus on the gates themselves when it comes to your security gates in Bradford, but you should also be checking out the drainage. If your gates have underground motors, you’ll need to check that they are draining properly. There shouldn’t be any water building up at any point in the year, especially during the winter, where this could turn to ice. After the heavy rain we often experience in the UK, check the motor and ensure your drainage is running well. Look out for the drain holes to ensure they aren’t blocked up and that the motor housings aren’t being affected by water.
Lubricate Any Moving Parts
The main aim of an electric gate system is for it to open and close smoothly all year round. The best way to guarantee this is to keep lubricating the moving parts, such as the hinges, gears, and bearings. Make this part of your regular routine all year round, which can stop any friction between the moving parts and ensure your gates open and close smoothly. The more care and attention you give your gates before it’s too late, the more likely they’ll make it through the winter months.
Book a Repair Immediately If An Issue Arises
When dealing with electric gates during winter, we encourage you to book a repair as soon as possible should any issues arise. Our team will be more than happy to come out in the cold weather to check your gates are fully functioning. We encourage you to call us as soon as you notice an issue with your gates, as the longer you leave a problem, the worse it’s likely to get. Make sure you always keep our phone number to hand during the winter so that in an emergency, you can contact us straight away to resolve the issue.
As you can see, it’s possible to keep using your electric gates in Bradford throughout the winter months, but you’ll want to give them a little extra care and attention during the colder weather. By checking out your gates on a regular basis, you can ensure that you find any issues before they build up and become a bigger issue. When you do find a problem with your gates, call our team immediately to ensure you receive the assistance you need to keep them running smoothly throughout the winter months. We’ll be happy to come out and check problems of any size and restore your gates to their previous working condition.