An Introductory Guide to Maintaining Electric Gates

Electric gates are designed to provide a robust and enhanced level of security, and offer complete control to the access of a property. They are popular for use in homes and businesses alike, due to the combination of protection, practicality, and safety that they provide. Maintaining an electric gate system is a simple and straightforward process, and with regular care and some uncomplicated checks, they can remain functional for years. In this post, we share an introductory guide on how to maintain electric gates, and discuss how accessories and controls can help simplify gate maintenance.

Maintaining electric gates is essential for property owners to ensure that they continue to function smoothly, provide consistent security, and so they don’t suffer from unexpected failure. By regularly carrying out maintenance work on electric gates, it can extend the lifespan of the electrical system. It also ensures that the gates don’t encounter any unexpected problems or failures, which could compromise the security of a property and lead to extensive repairs.

Electric gate maintenance ensures that the gates remain an effective, secure barrier against any unwanted access and potential security breaches, giving you complete peace of mind over the security of your property. Without proper maintenance, the wear and tear from regular use of the gates can lead to malfunctions, inefficiency, or even complete system failure - making electric gate maintenance a practical and effective task.

It is vital to keep gates completely clean and free of any debris, and it is an easy maintenance task that doesn’t take long to complete. Dirt, leaves, and any other debris can obstruct the movement of the gates, which can lead to sluggish, slow operation, or even potentially cause gates to become stuck or jammed. Simply use a damp cloth to wipe down the surfaces and a brush to clear the tracks, ensuring smooth operation of the gates.

Checking and lubricating the moving parts of the electric gates is also important to maintain efficient operation. The moving parts like the rollers, hinges, and motors, are all vital to your gates operating properly, and over time these components can dry out. This can cause friction, leading to wear and tear and affecting the gate's operation. Apply a suitable lubricant to all moving parts, especially the hinges and rollers, to keep them functioning seamlessly and prevent any premature damage.

Periodically inspect the gate motor and mechanism, to ensure that the system is working correctly. The motor and mechanism control the gate's movement and functionality, so if they aren’t working correctly, it might result in the gates not being able to open or close properly, or even failing to respond to controls. Look for any potential signs of wear, unusual noises, or any electrical issues that might need repairing. By inspecting the motor and mechanism regularly, you can address any minor issues before they turn into major problems.

Many modern electric gate systems come with built in safety features, like sensors, automatic reverse functions, or anti crush technology. Make sure to regularly test these safety features, so that they are functioning correctly and don’t lead to any accidents or potential injuries. For example, a malfunctioning sensor could prevent the gates from stopping when it detects an obstacle or a person, leading to a serious incident. An easy way to test them by placing an object in the path of the gates, to check if they respond correctly.

Check the power supply and battery backup to make sure that the system remains consistently powered. This is crucial as it ensures reliable operation and prevents any potential disruptions. A faulty or unreliable power supply can lead to the gates not working properly, and a battery backup is especially important as it allows you to still access your property even during outages. Make sure that you regularly inspect the power supply and backup battery, especially during or after any extreme weather conditions.

Utilise accessories and controls to help with the maintenance and operation of electric gates to complement and enhance the functionality and ease of maintaining them. Electric gate lights can be added to illuminate the gate and the surrounding area, making it easier for you to see the gate’s position and maintain it, even in low light conditions.

Key switches also provide a secure backup control method if the remote or automation system fails, while reliable, high quality battery backups ensure the gates continue to function during power outages. Power supplies and cables are equally important, allowing you to maintain a consistent power flow for your gates. Additionally, relays and timers optimise gate operation, managing cycles for better efficiency.

To upgrade your electric gates, or for accessories for maintaining and controlling them, explore our range at Gates Gates. We stock high quality electric gates, including swing gate kits, sliding gate kits, and garage door kits, to suit residential and commercial property. Additionally, we offer electric gate accessories and controls to make maintaining and operating your gates even easier, including key switches, electric gate lights, battery backups and cables.

All of our electric gate kits and accessories are designed to provide safe, efficient access to your property, with durability you can rely on. If you need any assistance or have any questions regarding any of our products, contact our team, and we will be happy to help. Visit our website today to browse our full range of electric gates and accessories and upgrade your gate system.