Super Easy Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Automatic Gate in Tip-Top Condition
While not a fixture of every home, automatic gates are not an uncommon sight in the suburbs of Australia. They can be a significant investment, but they can be so darned convenient—far more than a mere ornamental touch to the front of your property. Small children and animals are safely contained within your front yard, and a hefty gate offers a strong deterrent to any thieves or door-to-door salespeople. Given the cost involved in buying and installing an automatic gate, you'll want to be sure to take care of it. So what are some of the small maintenance tasks you can carry out on your automatic gate to keep it in tip-top condition?
The Importance of Lubrication
Any mechanism with moving parts needs special care, and an automatic gate doesn't work unless it moves! When the gate is installed, ask which parts of the gate require lubrication. You'll need to lubricate these sections of the gate every six months, or more often if the gate does not seem to be opening and closing as smoothly as it used to. The company that supplied the gate will be able to recommend and even supply a lubricant, but you can probably find a cheaper alternative at your local hardware shop. Make sure you only buy a lubricant that is made specifically for the task at hand - anything else might damage the gate.
Cleaning and Weathering
Metal automatic gates can be cleaned as needed, and you won't need anything more than a rag and a bucket of soapy water. You'll need to take extra care if the gate is mostly made of wood, or even if it contains any wooden components. Ensure that these wooden sections are stained and weather proofed at least once a year. If the wood dries out, it might buckle or warp, which can stop the gate from opening and closing.
The Basics of Bolts
The motion of an automatic gate places considerable stress on its bolts—far more than the bolting of a stationary object of a similar size and weight. Once a month you'll need to make sure that all bolts are tight, and tighten as needed. Just because the bolts gradually loosen, it doesn't mean that anything is wrong with the gate, and bolts that slowly loosen are a natural by-product of the gates motion. You just need to find them before they become too loose! Do not tighten bolts that are connected to cables or springs. Tightening these bolts too much might damage the gate's ability to operate, and they should be adjusted by a professional.
Thankfully, an automatic gate doesn't really need much maintenance. By following these few basic maintenance tips, you'll make sure you're able to head off expensive repairs in the future. For more information, contact AGM Automation.
Share
