Automatic Gate Services

Automatic Gate Services

Automatic gates need regular servicing to make sure that they work smoothly. Without at least one service a year and regular servicing, automatic gates will be more likely to let you down.

This is why we get so many calls from people with automatic gates that have stopped working or are making strange noises. At Royal Gates, we repair a lot of automated gates in and around Greater Vancouver. Firstly, we usually ask when the gate was last serviced, so we will have some idea of what we will look at.

In many cases, where there has been a gate breakdown, there was no servicing record. But the trouble with automatic gates is that they’re made up of mechanical components and moving parts. Automatic gates need servicing, like your vehicles.
So, just like a car, they need to be serviced to stay working well.

Unfortunately, when a gate operator fails as a result of poor maintenance, the repair bill is bigger than servicing to prevent the breakdown would have been. If you have a damaged automated driveway gate, to fix the problem, you can find some issues by yourself.

Automatic Gate Services and Repairs

Common problems caused by a lack of gate maintenance are as below:

1) Driveway gates that make the sort of noises that shouldn’t be coming from any electric gates.
2) Lost or damaged automatic gate remote controls or ones that don’t work anymore for no reason.
3) Bent or broken swing gate opener motor brackets and arms.
4) Automatic gates that start to have a mind of their own and won’t open or close when you want them to.
5) Gates knocked out of alignment or damaged by careless drivers.
6) Waterlogged underground motors that have not been installed with enough drainage.
7) Gears, hinges, wheels, or other moving parts.
8) Short circuits where electrical connections have been made, where water can affect them.
9) Wiring issues in badly installed gate opener control panels.
10) Insects, slugs, spiders, or other creepy crawlies that have gotten into electronic components and destroyed them.

Automatic gate service involves ensuring that automated gates operate smoothly, safely, and reliably. This encompasses everything from initial installation to ongoing maintenance and troubleshooting.

Here’s a breakdown of how automatic gate service is typically done:

1. Installation and Setup:

• Assessment and Design: A professional will assess the property’s topography, gate type (swing, slide, overhead, barrier arm), size, weight, and desired functionality to recommend the most suitable automation system. This includes considering power options (electric, solar, or hybrid) and access control needs.
• Gate Preparation: If automating an existing gate, the gate’s condition, hinges, posts, and tracks are thoroughly checked and repaired or reinforced as needed to ensure they can handle the automation system’s demands.
• Operator (Motor) Installation: The gate operator, which is the “powerhouse” of the system, is installed. The type of operator (e.g., linear arm, ram arm, underground, chain drive) depends on the gate type.
• Control Panel and Wiring: The control panel, the “brain” of the system, is installed and wired to the motor and other components.
• Safety Device Integration: Crucial safety features like infrared sensors (photocells) to detect obstacles, anti-climbing measures, and emergency release mechanisms are installed and configured to prevent accidents and injuries.
• Access Control System Integration: This involves setting up devices for opening and closing the gate, such as:
  • Remote controls/transmitters: For convenient operation from a vehicle.
  • Keypads: Allowing access with a secure numeric code.
  • Key cards/RFID readers: Common in commercial or multi-tenant properties.
  • Intercom/telephone systems: For visual identification and communication with visitors.
  • Smartphone apps/Wi-Fi connectivity: For remote control and monitoring.

• Programming and Testing: The system is programmed, and all components are thoroughly tested to ensure proper operation, including opening/closing speed, force, and safety features.

2. Types of Automatic Gates:

• Swing Gates: Open inward or outward like a regular door. Can be single or double-leaf. Operators include swing arm, ram arm, or underground motors.
• Slide Gates: Move horizontally along a track. Often used for larger, heavier gates or properties with limited swing space. Operators typically use a chain or rack and pinion system.
• Overhead Gates: Lift the gate overhead, similar to a garage door. Commonly used in commercial underground parking.
• Barrier Arm Gates: A vertical arm lifts and lowers to control access, often seen in parking lots.

3. Ongoing Maintenance and Care:

Regular maintenance is vital for the longevity and reliable operation of an automatic gate. Key tasks include:

• Visual Inspection: Regularly check for visible signs of wear, damage (e.g., rust, loose bolts, frayed wiring, misalignments), or debris.
• Cleaning: Keep the gate, tracks (for sliding gates), and surrounding areas free from dirt, dust, leaves, and other obstructions. Clean sensor lenses.
• Lubrication: Lubricate all moving parts (hinges, rollers, chains, gears, screws) every six months with an appropriate lubricant to reduce friction and wear.
• Electrical Components Check: Inspect the control box, wiring, and connections for wear, corrosion, or looseness.
• Safety Feature Testing: Regularly test obstacle sensors (photocells) and emergency stop functions to ensure they are working correctly.
• Battery Maintenance: If there’s a backup battery or solar power system, check the battery’s condition and voltage.
• Software Updates: If applicable, ensure the system’s software is up to date.
• Professional Inspections: Schedule periodic professional inspections to identify potential problems early and perform comprehensive checks.

4. Troubleshooting Common Issues:

When an automatic gate malfunctions, common troubleshooting steps include:

• No Power/Gate Not Responding:
  • Check the power supply, circuit breakers, and remote battery.
  • Ensure the manual release mechanism isn’t engaged.
  • Try resetting the system.
• Gate Not Opening/Closing Fully or Jerky Operation:
  • Inspect for physical damage to the swing arm, hinges, or tracks.
  • Clear any debris blocking the gate’s path.
  • Check and realign photo eyes (sensors) and clean their lenses.
  • Lubricate moving parts.
  • Check for worn mechanical parts (gears, rollers).
  • Verify electrical connections and motor health.
• Unusual Noises:
  • Identify the source of the noise.
  • Tighten loose components.
  • Lubricate moving parts.
  • Replace worn-out parts like hinges or motors if necessary.
• Remote/Keypad Not Working:
  • Replace batteries in the remote.
  • Reprogram the remote/keypad.
  • Check for signal interference.

For complex issues, it’s always recommended to call a qualified gate technician to prevent further damage or injury, especially when dealing with electrical components. Many companies offer planned maintenance programs to ensure consistent gate performance and address issues proactively.

Automatic gate services

Gate service avoids automatic gate breakdowns.

Regular gate services keep automatic driveway gates working well. We see lots more issues with automatic gates that could be avoided with regular servicing. The trouble is that repairing broken automatic gates is often a lot more time-consuming and expensive than regular servicing to avoid the problems.

If you service an automatic driveway gate, you see possible issues before they become problems. This means that you can make adjustments or lubricate, or replace smaller components. But on your driveway gate, if something fails, it often has a knock-on effect and causes more damage.
Consequently, replacing the damaged part on your driveway gate is only half the story. Most importantly, we have to find out what caused the breakdown and make sure that this is also fixed. Therefore, we hope that you have regular servicing to keep your automated gates working perfectly.

Sliding gate services and swing gate services:

It doesn’t matter what kind of driveway gate you have, sliding gates or swing gates. All types of automatic driveway gates and all different brands of gate operators, safety sensors, gate hardware, and other accessories need to be regularly maintained and serviced.

We will do our best to service your swing or sliding driveway gate and gate automation system.
Our main services are the manufacture, installation, and repair of driveway gates and gate automation systems.

Also, we do access control systems and video doorbells. By using the smart access control intercom system that we have, you can open and close your motorized driveway gate worldwide using your smartphone.

We will be happy to share our knowledge with you to install, repair, and service the automatic driveway gate, or even give you suggestions to choose the best gate opener and access control system that you may need.

–> To have in-site technical services:

• If you have an account with us, please send your request directly from your customer panel.
• Please click here to send your information and request directly to our customer hub, and let us know your preferred dates to schedule a visit.
• If you are in Greater Vancouver, BC, our technician will come to your address and resolve the problem.
• To have on-site technical services for your installed automatic driveway gate, if you have an account with Royal Gates, please send your request directly from your customer’s panel.
• If this is your first service request, and looking for our recommendations, please send some pictures from the gate operator, main control panel, and receivers or your remote control to us using WhatsApp at 778 384 2800 or by email to retcc.ca@gmail.com.
• You can click here to send your information and request directly to our customer hub, and let us know your preferred dates to schedule a visit.
• You will be contacted within one business day.

–>  To get an estimate for your required driveway gate, you can click on “Fast Estimate”.

• If you want to continue please submit the form, your request will directly come to our customer hub and we will make contact with you, within a maximum of one business day.
• To create a custom quote, need more information like design, dimensions, your address, name, and email.
• You can click here to send your information and request directly to our customer hub, and let us know your preferred dates to schedule a visit (If necessary).
• If you are in Greater Vancouver, BC, our technician will come to your address.
• Please send some pictures of the driveway, posts, and the electric sources to us using WhatsApp at 778 384 2800 or by email to retcc.ca@gmail.com.
• You can click here to send your information and request directly to our customer hub, and let us know your preferred dates to schedule a visit.
• You will be contacted within one business day.