If you have an old automatic gate, it can be frustrating when it will not open. Sometimes, it may be something like a simple electrical problem, tracks that need to be cleaned, or problems with the motor. The following tips will help you troubleshoot the problems with your automatic gate before you call for help with repairs:
1. Problems with Cold Weather That Can Result in Damaged Parts
Cold weather is one of the biggest problems for automatic gates because the colder temperatures can make metal and other materials brittle. This can cause these parts to break if there is any extra stress, such as debris blocking the path of the gate. Therefore, during winter weather, keep the gate and parts clean and free of debris and snow and ice.
2. Automatic Gate Tracks and Keeping the Path of Your Gate Clear
The debris that blocks your automatic gate can cause serious damage to the opener, rollers, and other moving parts. Therefore, it is important to keep the gate path clean, which will help ensure that minor problems with debris on the tracks or in the path of the gate will not cause serious damage that can be costly to repair.
3. Opener Remotes That Need Batteries or Need to Be Programmed
The automatic gate that you have installed has remotes that use special radio frequencies to send a signal to the opener. If you have bought new remotes, they probably need to be programmed to control your opener. If your remotes are older, you may want to try changing the batteries in the remote, which may also require them to be reprogrammed.
4. Problems That Develop Due to Undersized Motors
There can also be a lot of problems that develop due to undersized motors. If the motor is barely powerful enough to open the gate, it can cause a lot of stress on moving parts that will break when there is extra stress, like something blocking the path of the gate. To prevent these problems with the gate, keep the path clear. If the gate motor is making noise but the gate is not opening, this is a sign that the motor is too small. Rather than just repairing the motor, talk with the repair technician about upgrading to a larger motor that can handle the stress of opening your gate.
These are some tips that will help you troubleshoot problems with automatic gates before calling for help with repairs. If you have not been able to get your gate working again, contact a gate repair service for help with repairs and talk to them about improvements to prevent future problems.