The good news is that newer automated gate access systems are built to withstand cold, harsh weather. With a newer system at your entrance, there’s less need to worry about your gate getting stuck ajar if there’s snow and ice on the ground. That said, some routine maintenance is necessary to keep your system in prime working condition, particularly in anticipation of a colder or wetter-than-average winter.
Check out the information below for a primer on electronic gate maintenance – then consult with a gate professional to do what’s right for your specific system.
Routine Maintenance Suggested Before the Year Ends
Sometimes an aging gate access system just doesn’t perform like it used to, and the cold will only exacerbate what’s already not working well. Larger entrances with more moving parts will benefit from a professional inspection of all the different components.
In the meantime:
Ensure the proper lubrication of your gate operator.
The oil that lubricates gate operators starts to dry up in hot summer (and cold winter) weather. There are a lot of different kinds of gate operators on the market, so be sure to use the proper lubricant for your specific system.
Find out which surfaces to lubricate.
For best results, have a professional do the lubrication for you. Someone who installs electronic gates for a living has seen firsthand what happens when people over-lubricate or aim for the wrong areas. They will know whether the hinges or the entire actuator arms, or other areas should be lubed and how much to apply.
Inspect rollers, tracks and other moving parts.
Keep an eye on moving parts in the weeks and months ahead, as even a small amount of ice or debris can shift the direction of rollers or bind them, and inhibit the gate’s operation. On slide gates, clear tracks so that rollers are able to move back and forth easily. Trackless cantilever systems should be examined in a similar way.
Prime and Paint gates to prevent rust and corrosion.
Is the paint job showing signs of peeling? Painted entrances should be touched up by late fall if not sooner. This protects steel and wrought iron, which are susceptible to corrosion and oxidation from moisture. In addition, wooden gates may be prone to cracking, splitting and/or warping.
Eliminate buildups of snow and ice.
Eliminate buildups of snow and ice as soon as it occurs. If snow removal efforts push snow up against swing gates, or snow and ice build-up on gate frames, wheels or rollers, this may make it difficult for them to open and shut properly.
Has Your Outdoor Lock Been Giving You Trouble? Fix It or Replace it Now.
Smaller security gates often contain traditional locks as an alternative. Even with advanced equipment and manufacturing technology available today, people’s locks still give them grief. That’s sometimes just how it is with parts that can collect water and rust on the inside – especially if it gets jammed regularly or was never the best part or installation for the kind of gate you have. In courtyard gates and other pedestrian entrances, a substandard lock can quickly deteriorate. Don’t overlook this small but crucial aspect of your security.
Holiday Caution: Decorate Your Swing & Slide Gates with Care
We caution our clients every year: decorate your gates with care! You’d be surprised at the havoc that dangling or large wreaths or garland (and even Halloween Decorations!) can wreak on an automatic outdoor entrance gate. As you spruce up your gate with the holiday spirit:
- Be sure decorations are secured so as not to block gate reversing sensors.
- Attach wreaths, ribbon, garland and string lights so they won’t dangle and threaten to obstruct any moving parts.
- Consider having a holiday pro hang your wreath and other decorations so they won’t block any openings and that they can withstand strong winds.
Electronic Entry Systems (EES) – Experts in Chicago’s North Shore Gate Access Security
Want extra security at your building’s entrance this winter? The team at Electronic Entry Systems (EES) can service your system so that all of the necessary components are tuned up and ready to keep your home or business safe in the new year. Plus, you won’t have to worry which of the hundreds of gate and other equipment lubricants offered online is best for you. One of our specialists can examine your entire system for misaligned sensors and worn out parts that need repairing before winter arrives.
Contact EES online or call us at 800-337-4283 (800.EES.GATE) to discuss all of your automated entrance needs.