On a residential property, installing an automatic gate system can be beneficial. These devices are convenient, secure, and reliable. However, when it comes to buying a property with an existing automated gate, it’s important to learn more about how it functions and what kind of condition it’s in. Here are six questions you should ask if you want to make an offer on a property with an automatic gate system.

1.) Does it swing or slide?

If you intend to purchase a home with a residential gate, you should determine if it swings or slides to open and close. Swing gates have fewer moving parts than slide gates, which means they’re less likely to break down. Consequently, this could save you money on future repair costs. In addition, swing gates are quieter than slide gates when opening and closing.

Slide gates take up less space than their swinging counterparts. Furthermore, there’s no gap under these gates. If you have pets and are worried about them potentially venturing out of the yard, a slide gate may be the better option. However, since slide gates move along a track on wheels, you’ll have to clear the track of debris on a regular basis.

2.) What’s it made of?

Residential automatic gates are frequently made of metal or wood. Metal gates are easy to maintain and require minimal upkeep. Aluminum is a naturally rust-resistant material whereas iron and steel gates are finished with a powder coating to ensure they don’t peel or fade. However, metal gates usually don’t provide much privacy as you can typically see the property between the slats.

Wood gates often have decorative features that can add curb appeal to your property. They can also withstand harsh weather conditions and effectively block the wind. However, wood must be regularly re-stained, re-painted, or treated with some other type of protective coating to safeguard it from rot and bugs.

3.) How is it powered?

Automatic gates can be powered in a variety of ways. For example, alternating current (AC) gate operators are connected to the property’s power, which makes them extremely reliable. In addition, newer models typically come with backup batteries.

Solar-powered gate operators, however, don’t use electricity from the grid and therefore, won’t fail during a power outage. In addition, since the gate operator uses energy from the sun, you don’t have to factor in additional operating costs for powering the gate.

4.) Does it have any built-in safety features?

When purchasing a home with an existing automatic gate system, you should ensure it has built-in safety mechanisms such as reversing sensors, guards, and alarms. These features help prevent potential injuries and damage. If the gate doesn’t come with these mechanisms, they can usually be purchased and retrofitted to the existing automatic gate system. If this is the case, it’s important to keep these costs in mind.

5.) Is it still under warranty?

It’s a good idea to find out if the parts on the driveway gate or gate operator are still under warranty. If your gate has a manufacturing defect, the warranty may cover repair or replacement costs. In addition, some warranties protect against certain types of accidental damage. If the gate system is still under warranty, you could save a lot of money if something goes wrong.

6.) Does it need repairs?

On top of checking the gate for visible damage such as dents, cracks, scratches, splits, and rust, you should ensure everything is in good working order. If the gate is slow, unresponsive, moves irregularly against its track, drags against the ground, or won’t stop in the right position, it should be looked at by a professional. If the damage is severe, you may need to replace the entire system, which could be very costly.

Planned Maintenance For Automated Gates

At Creative Door Services^TM, we help extend the lifespan of automatic gate systems by offering a planned maintenance program that includes an experience technician inspecting your gate system to ensure it’s in good working order.

Automatic Gate Systems Experts In Western Canada

If you need your residential gate system serviced, Creative Door Services^TM can help. Our expert technicians offer comprehensive automatic gate repair, replacement, and maintenance services. Contact us today at one of our eight locations to learn more or get a free quote. You can reach us in Kelowna, British Columbia; Vancouver, British Columbia; Calgary, Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta; Fort McMurray, Alberta; Regina, Saskatchewan; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; and Winnipeg, Manitoba.