The cold Canadian winters can do a number on your residential gate system. Over time, ice, snow, freezing rain, and slush can wear away at the exterior of your gate and its moving parts. As the weather warms up, spring is a great time to inspect your gate and ensure it’s in good working order. Here are four maintenance tips to help you make certain that your automatic gate system continues to function smoothly for years to come.

Step 1: Inspect it

It can be easy to overlook issues with your gate system when you’re mainly seeing it from your car. A yearly visual inspection will ensure you notice small problems before they become big issues.

Make sure you do the following when examing your gate system:

• Check the body of your gate for dents, scratches, and other signs of wear and tear.
  
  
• Verify that the electrical connections and wiring harnesses are tight. They can become loose and may need to be re-secured.
  
  
• If your driveway gate system uses loop detectors, make sure they’re still intact and reseal them with caulk if necessary.
  
  
• If your gate system uses a battery, check if it needs to be replaced.
  
  
• Ensure that the mechanisms that open and close your gate are working properly. This includes the chain drive, belts, and sprockets.
  
  
• If you own a wooden gate, inspect it for signs of rot. If it looks darker than normal, is cracked, or soft in some areas, you should speak with a professional to have it looked at.

Finally, if you notice any loose bolts or bearings, it’s best to contact a licensed professional. You could cause more harm than good if you try to tighten them yourself.

Step 2: Keep It Clean

If you have a sliding gate, it’s important to clear away any debris that may have collected in the tracks. If you have a swinging gate, make sure to cut back any overgrown plants or bushes that could be blocking the swing trajectory. In addition, clean off any dried mud or dust covering the sensors or solar panels.

If you have a wrought-iron gate, wipe it down using warm water and a sponge to remove dust and dirt. However, make sure that water doesn’t get into the door opener as this may damage it. Once the gate is dry, apply a coat of wax to help protect it from the sun, extreme weather conditions, and rust. If you do notice rust, remove it immediately using sandpaper.

For wooden gates, it’s necessary to apply a protective finish once a year.

Step 3: Use High-Quality Lubricant

Gate systems have several moving parts that need to be regularly lubricated. If these parts become dry, they can create friction and cause severe damage. A broken gate operator motor can be extremely costly to repair or replace.

To keep your gate moving smoothly, apply a high-quality lubricant to the screws, rollers, hinges, chains, and pulleys every six months. You should avoid using WD-40 and oil-based lubricants as they attract dust. Instead, apply white lithium grease or a silicon-based lubricant.

Step 4: Check Your Gate for Pests

Although often overlooked, insects and pests can wreak havoc on the electrical components in your gate system. For example, snails and slugs can destroy your gate’s circuit board. Once inside, their slime trails can create moisture buildup leading to extensive damage. Spiders can cause similar issues with their webs and ant nests can corrode circuitry. In addition, mice are notorious for chewing through or urinating on gate wiring.

To help keep insects and pests at bay, ensure there aren’t any large shrubs, heaps of rotting wood, piles of firewood, or pools of standing water nearby. As an extra precaution, you can also spray an outdoor pesticide around your gate operator in the spring.

Professional Maintenance For Your Gate

Automatic gate systems don’t usually fail overnight. Instead, they degrade over time. This is why it’s important to regularly maintain and inspect your gate for signs that it requires repairs. At Creative Door Services^TM, we offer a planned maintenance program to help you maximize your gate’s performance, reduce repair costs, and increase security.

Reliable Gate Systems, Repairs & Maintenance In Western Canada

If your residential gate system needs to be repaired or maintained, you can count on the professionals at Creative Door Services^TM. Our expert technicians will ensure that the job done gets done right. Contact us today to book a service call or learn more. We have locations in Kelowna, British Columbia; Vancouver, British Columbia; Calgary, Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta; Fort McMurray, Alberta; Regina, Saskatchewan; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; and Winnipeg, Manitoba.