Electric Gate Safety & General Maintenance

You have just paid thousands of your hard earned cash for your Electric Gates, the last thing you want is to think about maintenance. However there are some general maintenance practices you can perform yourself. It is still important to regularly service your gate to ensure it is safe and fault free. Speak to the technicians prior to installation, majority of gate installation companies have a maintenance and repair service. Remember to ask what is included in an Electric Gate Service as you don't want to pay for somebody to just repeat the work you have already done.

Photocells & Control Boxes

Things you can fix yourself include making sure your safety photocells (if fitted) are clean and clear of dust or dirt. Simply using a dry micro fibre cloth, gently wipe away any residue. Also if you have access to your control box, check that it is dry and clean from any dust, vermin/insects by using a soft brush (such as a paint brush), lightly brush and clean the area.

Mechanical Parts

Depending on the severity of the problem, this could be a DIY or a technician job. Ensure the operating area of the mechanism itself, and the gate track, is free of sticks, stones or other obstructions that’ll cause the gate to stick or prevent the motor running smoothly.

You may be tempted to spray some lubricant into the mechanism of the gate motor if it develops a little squeak here and there. We do advise against this as the compounds used in such lubricants could damage internal parts. If this sounds like your gate motor, the squeak is a good indication that it is time to call a technician to have a look.

Ground Movement

Not something you’d think would be a concern in the UK, but a surprising number of our call outs deal with this problem. If there’s a shift in the foundation of where your gates are mounted, be it subsidence, minor earthquake or even a reckless driver giving them a “bump”, the gear rack may need re-alignment to ensure the gate continues to run smoothly. A misaligned gate can add strain to the motor and wear it out, or stop it from running altogether. This job is clearly one for a technician, it is important that this type of fault is not tampered with or the problem could become worse and cause greater expense.

Gate Hinges

Definitely the place that deals with the most stress and strain on your gate (especially if each leaf is over 200kgs!), so it pays to check that your gate hinges are in good working order and that your gate opens and closes without any gliches.

We recommend WD-40 for this job, and just a few drops directly on the moving parts of the hinge is generally all that’s needed.

While you can do this one yourself, if you do have a concern about the hinge(s) and think they need further attention, call and arrange for a technician visit.

When should I service my automatic gate?

If your gate is for regular domestic use we feel that you should have a technician visit every 12 months. If you have above average domestic use or have a commercial property, then every 6 months is more appropriate as the gate will sustain more frequent usage, and usage by the public.

The service should include:

1. Check and reset limit switches.
2. Check locks are aligned correctly and locking.
3. Check photo safety sensors are mounted securely, aligned and cleaned from vermin.
4. Check and clean any vermin/insects from control boxes.
5. Check and tighten all wiring connections.
6. Check Manual disconnect.
7. When gate is manually disconnected, check if swings or slides smoothly and hinges are in good working order.
8. Check equipment operation.
9. Ensure stops are fitted and secure.
10. Lubricate as required.
11. Tighten all fixings on drive unit and gate.
12. Check oil, hydraulic oil level and check for any leaks.
13. Inspect motor and hinge welds for any fractures or fatigue cracking.
14. Check drainage outlet and bleed air.
15. Clean off all equipment (hand prints, excess grease, oil)

Whitten Metalworks Gate Automation Services believe that an automatic gate is a worthwhile investment not only for vanity, but for your sanity. Prevention is always better than a cure, and don't forget to service your gate regularly.

For a quote on Electric Gate Servicing speak to Whitten Metalworks Gate Automation Services.