Automatic gates provide many benefits for property owners. However, those benefits don't come without some effort on your part. Here are a few of the not-so-secret secrets to keeping your automatic gate working well for you now and into the future.

Regular cleaning helps increase the longevity of your gate while maintaining its performance. How you clean your gate depends on the type of gate you have, so you will need to learn the best cleaning practices for your particular gate. For all automatic gates, make sure you clean up any debris you find on, around, or near the gate and its mechanisms. Dirt and grimy buildups on your gate start as an eyesore and eventually turn into a detriment to your gate's performance. You can help keep wooden automatic gates clean by painting them or oiling them. For any metal gate, cleaning to prevent rust accumulation is important. Even with a wood gate, you'll have to look out for rust on hinges or any other metal parts of the gate. You can deal with light rust buildup by washing the gate with water and mild detergent. A quick rinse of the gate every now and then with a hose can loosen or remove most light dirt accumulation. Wax the gate to help protect it while keeping it looking good.

Your automatic gate is more than just a portal into or out of your property. The gate consists of moving parts and electronics that require care. These parts will suffer from the wear and tear of normal use. Neglect of these components can also lead to premature wear and malfunction. Some components receive constant exposure to weather. Other components can become the home of pests. All of these things can damage or erode your gate's electronics and mechanisms. Keep your eyes open for issues such as obvious signs of disrepair. Also, pay attention to any signs indicating insects or other pests have made a home in or around parts of your gate's mechanisms. The gate itself will give you clues to potential problems. For example, pay attention to signs of the gate struggling or not operating smoothly. You can then look for any noticeable problems with the gate's components. You should also keep your gate's mechanisms lubricated. An automatic gate has a lot of moving parts and those parts need free, unobstructed movement. Greasing hinges, chains, wheels, and other moving parts will keep the gate working smoothly for you. Lubrication can also help deal with any issues you have with squeaking or creaking noises.

You should have a professional service perform routine preventative maintenance on your automatic gate. Professional maintenance can take care of all the prevention methods you can't or shouldn't perform yourself. For example, your gate may need aligning or parts for alignment. A professional can also perform more robust function tests. An expert eye can spot problems you're not aware of and help you prevent problems from occurring altogether. If you or a professional determines your gate needs repairs, then get the repairs. The longer you try to use your automatic gate while in disrepair, the more damage you will do to it. That accumulation of damage can turn a simple fix into a far more expensive problem. Routine servicing can help mitigate this possibility, but sometimes, damage can still occur. No matter the type of automatic gate you have, it needs proper care. Whether you need professional repairs or services for your automatic gate, contact Northgates In Motion today.