Having a driveway gate adds security to your property while boosting its exterior curb appeal. Over the lifespan of your driveway gate, it’s common to experience issues from time to time. When your driveway gate experiences problems, there are many reasons to hire a professional to perform repairs instead of trying to do them yourself.
Common Signs of a Driveway Gate Malfunction
Sometimes, when your driveway gate malfunctions, there are obvious signs, like your gate not opening or closing. However, in other cases, the issue may be more subtle. For example, your gate may start to make a strange noise during operation or even exhibit slow or jerking movements. You may see a slight sagging in the gate, or the lighting attached to it may flicker. When something is off with your driveway gate, it’s best to consult our repair professionals to fix the issue before it worsens.
Tools and Expertise
Two of the largest reasons to hire our professionals for driveway gate repair are that they come with the right tools and expertise to perform the job. Our team will assess the problem and diagnose the root cause of the issue. We’ll provide a long-lasting solution, not just a patch. We have the right tools to perform repairs on-site, which many homeowners don’t have.
Understand Coastal Climate
San Diego’s coastal climate can take a toll on your driveway gate. Our gate professionals know how to thoroughly assess your gate for any potential corrosion that could otherwise lead to bigger issues. We have the appropriate anti-corrosion compounds for both the metal gate structure and the electronic compounds to help extend the longevity of your gate and prevent further damage.
Optimal Safety
Driveway gates can be heavy. Even more so, they have many components that can cause serious injury if not handled correctly. Several components are under tension, including springs, chains, and motors. Our professional gate experts
are knowledgeable about these hazards and can work safely around them to prevent injury.
Fast Repairs to Protect Your Security
Whenever your driveway gate malfunctions, it can leave your property susceptible to intrusion. As a knowledgeable homeowner, you want to minimize your gate’s downtime and your property’s susceptibility to intrusion. Contact our professionals for prompt driveway gate repair to ensure a fast and effective solution, which will get your gate back up and running quickly.
Prevent Costly Mistakes
As with any complex setup, performing DIY repairs can leave you susceptible to costly mistakes. Whether it’s throwing your gate out of balance or damaging one of its motors, working on your driveway gate without professional experience could be disastrous. Even worse, you’ll likely void its remaining warranty coverage.
Ensure Code and HOA Compliance
Our gate experts understand what’s required to meet building codes in the San Diego area. We’re also familiar with many HOA compliance standards, so you can rest assured that the repairs we do will meet them. If you attempt to DIY your gate, you may violate local building codes or your HOA compliance codes without even realizing it. You may also have repair bills to remedy the violation.
Retain Warranty Coverage
When you purchase a new driveway gate for your home, you’ll likely find that the gate manufacturer requires professional installation and repairs. If you perform DIY repair work, your gate manufacturer may deny the warranty claim. Most claims require a professional gate company to file a claim for warranty work. Doing the work yourself could leave you paying out of pocket for those repairs.
Peace of Mind
There’s simply nothing like having a professional repair expert come to your home and handle your gate malfunctions. You’ll know that an individual with hands-on experience has examined your gate and performed repair services. This will give you peace of mind about its functioning moving forward. Plus, having a professional perform the repair work can reduce your stress level when it comes to worrying about the longevity of your gate.
The Importance of Preventative Maintenance
One of the best ways to reduce your risk of experiencing a driveway gate issue is to get professional maintenance service. We recommend scheduling professional servicing for your gate every year. This will catch any problems when they’re small, such as developing corrosion, so we can remedy them before they create even bigger problems.
Our services include not only inspecting the gate but also lubricating moving parts, adjusting tracks, testing sensors, and so much more. You can rest assured that your gate will be in tip-top condition once our expert finishes your annual gate service. This is also mandatory to maintain the warranty coverage on your driveway gate, so you’re not stuck paying out of pocket for future repair bills.
Apart from professional maintenance, there are a few things you’ll want to do as a homeowner to minimize your risk of experiencing a driveway gate malfunction. Each month, check the gate’s tracks and remove any debris that accumulates inside them. Aim to wash your gate every couple of months to remove salt from the mechanisms that can cause unwanted corrosion of your gate.
While cleaning, do a thorough inspection of your gate to identify any areas where rust is starting to form. If any areas are missing paint, be sure to repaint over them to prevent that corrosion from setting in. It can be advantageous to take a clean cloth and clean the photo eyes on all your gate’s sensors. Be sure to manually test them to ensure that your driveway gate’s auto-reverse feature kicks in. Additionally, check the area surrounding your gate and trim back any shrubbery or low-hanging branches that could eventually obstruct the movement of your gate or cause it physical harm.
Scheduling Replacement When Necessary
As a homeowner, it’s a good idea to understand the average longevity of the type of driveway gate that you have. Because your driveway gate is such an essential component of your everyday living and your property’s safety, it’s best to schedule a replacement before your gate completely fails.
The expected lifespan of your driveway gate will vary depending on the material used in its construction. Wrought iron typically lasts about 60 years when it’s hot-dipped and powder-coated. Stainless steel and galvanized steel can last about 30 to 50 years with proper anti-corrosion applications. Aluminum driveway gates have a usable lifespan of about 20 to 30 years if properly maintained. Softwood gates can last around 10 to 20 years, while hardwood gates can last between 20 and 50 years if they receive routine sealing. PVC with a modern UV-inhibitor lasts about 20 to 30 years, while composite offers a 20 to 40-year lifespan.
Expert Driveway Gate Repair Service
ADS Automatic Door Specialists offers expert driveway gate repair services for the San Diego, CA, area. We can also assist with new gate installation, replacement, and maintenance. Call our office today to book your next gate service with one of our experienced professionals.
