5 Maintenance Tips For Sliding Gates

It’s important to properly maintain your automated gate to keep it working properly over a long period. The gate is a mechanical device and will more effectively protect your commercial or residential property when you take care of it consistently. Here are five tips that will make sure your automated gate lasts a long time.

1. Conduct Visual Inspections

Check all parts of your gate on a regular basis. These include:

• Metal racks
• Electrical connections
• Gate opener
• Belt (drive- or chain-belt)
• Bearings
• Rollers
• Panel dents

Make sure all bolts are held in place and tightly screwed. Do you notice any holding cables or springs being held in place by loose bolts? Don’t try to fix these items on your own. You might break them. Call in a qualified technician instead.

Check bearings and pivot points for any damage or signs of wear and tear. If you have a wooden gate, then check whether any wooden parts need to be oiled, repainted or stained. Always use high-quality stain or paint on wood gates. Wood has the potential to suffer a lot of damage if it isn’t maintained well.

2. Prevent Rust

Check for rust anywhere within your automated gate’s system. Dust and dirt have a tendency to accumulate on metal parts. Rust will occur when you combine different weather conditions with this accumulation of dirt.

Early warning signs of rust can be handled by using mild household detergents to wash down affected areas. Try using sandpaper on any metal parts that are already showing extreme signs of rust.

3. Keep Your Gate Lubricated

You should use a lubricant recommended by the manufacturer every six months on all-important gate parts. Pay close attention to all system parts that help keep your gate moving properly, such as:

• Pulleys
• Chains
• Hinges
• Rollers
• Screws

Sliding gates that fail to work friction-free will break down as their parts are forced to work harder than they should. Don’t forget to lubricate the internal chain if your gate model includes one.

4. An Automated Gate Must Stay Clean

One of the best ways to keep your automated gate looking new and fresh for long periods is to wash it on an annual basis. Wax it after it’s cleaned. If you have a wooden gate, then apply new paint once per year.

Maintaining an automated gate in this fashion is far more cost-effective than paying to fix broken parts after you’ve allowed them to become:

• Tarnished
• Rusted
• Faded

Other expensive repairs that regular maintenance will help you avoid include:

• Powder coating
• Sandblasting
• Re-hanging

The door opener will become damaged if you get it wet. Be sure to keep it dry while cleaning your automated gate.

5. Inspect the Auto-Reverse Function

Your automatic gate needs to have its auto-reverse function checked once every month. This schedule helps make sure everything is always working correctly.

You can easily perform this auto-reverse test by yourself. Simply find a piece of wood and place it across the doorway while the gate is in its open position. You need to make sure the wood piece is in the way and prevents the door from closing properly. Close the door and allow the gate to make contact with the wood. If your automatic door is working well, then it will reverse its motion after making contact with the wood piece and return to a completely open position.

Did you test the auto-reverse functionality and find that the door didn’t stop and go into reverse motion? If so, then you know it’s time to have a professional technician take a look. Shut off power from reaching the opener. Don’t use the door until after it’s had the opportunity to get inspected by an automated door expert.

You have learned five solid tips for keeping your automated door in proper working condition. Implement these ideas, so your automated gate lasts many years.

Autobiography

Jim Pulman has extensive knowledge and experience in Home Building, Construction, and Design. He writes articles in his free time and partners with content creators to share his expertise with the online community.