A broken gate is more than just a nuisance; it undermines the security of your yard! Not only does an open gate allow pets and children to wander away from your house, but it also gives strangers a way to enter the yard and steal things. To quickly restore safety to your home, be on the lookout for the following frequent gate problems:
Gate Latch Limitations
If your gate will seem to close but won’t stay shut, the problem may be as simple as a worn or rusty latch. Inspect the latch for signs of corrosion or serious damage; this indicates that you need to replace it. If it is not so seriously damaged, try oiling it and tightening its mounting screws. This may be enough to hold the gate in place.
Barriers Beneath the Gate
If the latch is not the problem, obstructions beneath the gate might be. Soil, plants, wood, and other barriers can accumulate below the gate and block it from sliding shut, even if all the equipment is functioning perfectly. You should thus inspect the bottom area and look for these types of obstacles. If you find them, clear them away immediately, and then check the area periodically to see if they come back.
Automatic Gate Chain Repair
If you use an automatic slide gate, the chain is one of the first places you should look when you have problems closing it. Thus as with the latch and the area beneath the gate, you should inspect the chain for rust, debris, damaged equipment, or other visible problems. Some of these issues you can fix by cleaning and polishing the current chain, while for others, you will need a new chain.
Chain issues are not always immediately visible. If there is any ambiguity about the cause of the problem, try removing the chain and sliding the gate shut by hand. If you can do this without issue, the chain is the problem, and you may want to seek professional assistance fixing it. If you cannot, you should look elsewhere for the source of the issue.
Troubleshooting Electric Gates
Chain problems are not the only source of damage for automatic gates. Electrical problems also abound, so if no mechanical solutions will work, you may want to reset the gate’s power system instead. The steps for resetting your power system vary based on what type of gate you use, but it typically involves disconnecting and then reconnecting the system.
If this does not work, check the system’s keypad to determine whether the “keep open” or “hold open” command has not been left up. You should also examine the electrical switch that is located behind the main cylinder. It may have become damaged over time, or it is possible that the fire department left it open after inspecting your home.
Rustic Fence is committed to providing safety, beauty, and efficiency for your yard. For more information on fence and gate solutions, contact us today!
