How often
Autumn is a good time: leaves, rain and the first cold snaps are when neglected gates tend to fail.
- Homes: once a year
- Shared drives, blocks of flats and estates: every six months, as the gates work much harder
- Commercial and yard gates used all day: every three to six months
What a proper service includes
- Testing every safety device: photocells, safety edges, and that the gate stops and reverses when it should
- Measuring closing force with a force tester, against the safety standard
- Checking motors, arms and control board for wear, loose fixings and corrosion
- Clearing underground motor boxes and testing their drains
- Cleaning and greasing hinges, rollers and tracks
- Checking remotes, keypads, intercoms and any back-up battery
- A written report of what was done and anything that needs attention
What it costs in Surrey
A typical annual service for a pair of swing gates costs around £150 to £300 plus VAT, depending on the system and how many gates you have. Parts and repairs found during the service are quoted separately, and a good engineer will ask before doing extra work.
Signs your gate needs attention now
- New noises: grinding, clunking, squealing or a motor straining
- Slower or jerkier movement than it used to have
- Stopping part-way, or reversing for no reason
- Gates not meeting in the middle, or one gate dropping
- Water sitting in the motor boxes after rain
- Rust on hinges, arms or the gate itself
What you can do between services
Leave anything involving the motors, force settings or wiring to an engineer.
- Wipe the photocell lenses every month or two
- Keep tracks, swing paths and motor box lids clear of leaves and gravel
- Trim back plants near sensors and moving parts
- Watch and listen to the gate now and then: you'll notice changes early