Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Gate Running Smoothly
Your gate is like any other system. If you want to make sure it keeps working without any problems, follow basic maintenance tips. Here are a few that you should be familiar with. With a list of handy maintenance pointers, you’ll know what to do, where, and how to get started.
Clean the Gates
Dirt and dust buildup can get into the nooks and crannies of your gate system and cause problems. You want to prevent all that by cleaning your automatic gate. Waxing your gate at least once a year and washing it will help you keep it looking its best for as long as possible. That way, you won’t have to worry about spending money on a new automatic gate installation simply because your old one already looks faded, with its finish rusted or flaking off.
Check for Pests
Snails and other forms of insects are a common problem when you have electrical equipment outdoors. Snails and slugs often create trouble by compromising the circuit board. That’s because they leave behind slime trails that become conductive with the smallest amount of moisture. This derails the gate’s circuit board. In the same vein, bees often make nests in the gate opener. Anthills are also another problem. What you can do is check for these pests and to eliminate them before they impair your gate.
Shop for High-Quality Boards
Good quality in your choice of circuit boards matters. Higher quality gate equipment fares better and lasts longer. They demonstrate greater resistance to damage. One important reason for this is because high-quality circuit boards come with enclosures that are more secure. In addition, the circuit boards are dipped in the protective coating. That doesn’t mean the boards will last forever. But they will definitely last you longer if you have good ones over poorly made boards.
Schedule Maintenance
Some will suggest yearly maintenance checks of your gate. But if you live in a place where there’s constant humidity or you often face challenges, extreme weather conditions, it’s best that you schedule maintenance checks that are much more frequent, as your automatic gate will likely need them.
Know the Signs
If your gate doesn’t open as fast as it should, don’t dismiss that lag. It could indicate problems in your automatic gate system. Those problems aren’t going to go away if you ignore them, so it’s best that you get them fixed as soon as possible. In case the damage is extensive and doing repairs is like throwing money out the window, then you’ll want to consider looking for new gates instead.
Hire an Installation Team
If you do decide to go with a new gate, don’t forget to hire pros. You might think that you and your household staff might be able to handle the gate. Many homeowners mistakenly believe that a How-To guide online or YouTube videos are enough to get the job done. But mistakes during the installation could compromise the function of your gate for the long term. Put a stop to that by finding pros to handle the job for you.