Tag: automatic gate installation

Automatic driveway gates are an excellent investment. Apart from convenience, they improve security, enhance privacy, and enhance curb appeal for any property. 

Driveway gate systems are made from tough materials like iron and wood, but they still require periodic maintenance to keep them looking and functioning their best. Proper and regular upkeep helps protect your investment by preventing major problems. 

Here’s how you can perform maintenance on your automatic driveway gate and keep it in tiptop condition for many years to come. Before you start, however, make sure that the power is turned off.

Keep Your Automatic Driveway Gate Clean

This simple step prevents a lot of future problems. Dirt, dust, dead insects, and bird droppings can accumulate on your gate. The latter can speed up corrosion on metal gates and fade paintwork on plastic or wooden gates. 

To clean your automatic driveway gate, use a mixture of mild detergent and water. Using a sponge, apply the soapy water to the gate. You can use a scrub or brush to remove particularly stubborn build-up. Afterward, rinse the gate thoroughly with water, making sure that no soap residue remains. 

If you have solar panels on your gate, you can use a squeegee and a window cleaner to remove caked-on dust.

While you’re cleaning, be on the lookout for rusty spots, especially on the track, if you have an automatic sliding gate. You may try removing it yourself, but do it with the utmost care; otherwise, you might end up damaging the metal further. If you find evidence of corrosion, the best thing to do is to contact a trusted automatic gate repair company right away. 

Check the Batteries & Replace, If Needed

On average, a gate battery needs to be replaced every five years. If your battery is fairly new, but your gate opener won’t work, or if the battery doesn’t hold a charge, there might be a problem with either the voltage regulator or the solar panels. A competent gate repair person can fix both with ease.

Lubricate Chains & Hinges

Hinges are subject to wear and tear as they’re the components on your gate that are used the most. Keep them lubricated using white lithium grease or a silicone-based lubricant. Both can be purchased from most hardware stores.

Avoid using conventional grease. While this may work well in enclosed machinery, it will attract dirt to exposed parts of your automatic gate system. Over time, it will collect more dust and other contaminants, creating friction and wear on moving parts.

Chains should also be lubricated at least once a year to prevent damage caused by excessive friction. Slide and swing gates typically have concealed, internal chains that also need to be lubricated.

Other components that need to be oiled may include:

• Opener gears
• Wheels and tracks 
• Opener gears
• Hydraulics

Automatic Driveway Gate Service & Repair

While only done every few months or once a year, maintenance ensures your automatic gate’s smooth operation and aesthetic appeal. Still, despite one’s best efforts, a gate may malfunction for several reasons. Some examples are obstructions and damage caused by pests, weather, or power outages.

If you notice a problem with your gate or need assistance with its maintenance, reach out to the team at 4 Sure Gates. We have more than 20 years of combined experience in servicing and repairing automatic gate systems.

You can rely on us to get your automatic driveway gate looking and functioning like new. Call us at (817) 965-7873 to learn more about our services.

It’s no secret that automatic gates increase the value of your property. In fact, having a gate drastically increases your home’s value by as much as $50,000 or more. However, over time, natural wear and tear and other factors will contribute to the decline in its lifespan. And while repairing your gate will naturally be your first instinct, it may be more cost-effective in the long run to simply replace your automatic gate.

Which option should you take? If you are unsure whether your home’s automatic gate is due for a replacement, keep reading. Our experts at 4 Sure Gates have listed four indicators that it’s time to replace your automatic gate:

They Are Safety Risks for People and Property

The absence of safety features on more dated gates is undoubtedly one of the most important reasons to consider acquiring a new set of automatic gates. Given that older models are programmed to only perform two functions (specifically, opening and closing), they may end up crushing anyone or anything that gets in their way. On the other hand, more modern gates—which are designed according to industry safety precautions and protocols—are built with sensors that will pause or cancel these automated processes when they detect an obstruction.

They Offer Poor Automation Performance

Pay attention to how your gate opens and closes whenever you’re using it. On average, these operations should only take a couple of seconds. Thus, if you find yourself waiting longer than necessary before being able to successfully pass through, it may be time to check its opener. Sometimes, there may be an obstruction that prevents it from performing optimally so it doesn’t open or close as needed. However, if there aren’t any visible and tangible external problems, it’s best to take it as a sign to look at its motor. The motor might be performing poorly simply because it’s old. Replacing your old setup might be in your best interests if you want to avoid the inconvenience of a suddenly stalled motor or a broken gate!

They Have a Broken Motor

Sometimes, old automated gates don’t just perform poorly––sometimes they refuse to work altogether. It most likely is a problem with your gate motor. Check whether there’s rust or corrosion on it. The motor could also be damaged due to pests or harsh weather conditions. In the case that the motor is unsalvageable, you’ll have to replace it. But without the assurance that you’ll find a compatible model for your outdated gate, much less have a guarantee that the replacement will work effectively, it’s much easier on you and your pocket to replace the entire gate with a newer type instead.

Lack of Spare Parts

It’s also worth mentioning that similar to the motor, an automatic gate’s other minor components may not be as readily available on the market. And while you may look for alternatives online, it may not be the fastest or most guaranteed option. Replacing your automatic gate with a newer model grants you the freedom of having access to more spare after-market parts and accessories when the need for them arises once more.

Are you ready to experience the convenience and benefits of having a brand new automatic gate installed once again? Call 4 Sure Gates at (817) 965-7873 and schedule your gate replacement today!

A lot of burglars determine whether a house has valuable objects worth stealing by simply looking at the yard. According to Reader’s Digest, a burglar gets clues from things like the flowers in the garden, the toys scattered on the lawn, and many other seemingly innocent items.

One of the best ways to prevent this, of course, is by building a wall or a fence around your property. And with an enclosure, you’ll need an equally secure gate for your drive- or walkway. An automatic gate offers better security, as well as a list of other benefits for homeowners.

This article will go through the most important ones.

Why You Need an Automatic Gate for Your Home

Gates Provide Security

The ability to control the opening and closing of your gate with just a push of a button adds a layer of security that you just cannot get from traditional, manual options. For one, these gates are more difficult to tamper with and will most likely diminish the interest of any burglar.

Most automatic gates are also equipped with security system sensors that notify you and the authorities if unwanted access is detected. You can also install security cameras atop the gates to always stay on top of your property’s main access point.

These security measures are enough to deter a range of threats including burglaries and vandalisms.

Gates Provide Privacy

Privacy is an increasingly important factor in security. For similar reasons mentioned above, automatic gates can also enhance your property’s security by simply discouraging both culprits and passersby from peeking inside your property.

An automatic gate is a good indication that a home is well-secured and well-monitored. No one wants their face recorded in a security camera, looking conspicuous.

Gates Provide Value

A good-looking, properly installed, hi-tech automatic gate can easily give your home’s façade a facelift. It conveys a sense of class and taste, especially in this increasingly smart world. Aside from its aesthetic value, this feature also raises your home’s market value.

The added security is another selling point to potential buyers if you decide to sell your property down the road.

Gates Provide Safety

According to Safe Kids Worldwide, over 9,000 children are treated for injuries that occur when they are by themselves around motor vehicles. In some of these cases, the children are old and capable enough to operate a driveway gate but are still not old enough to be walking by the road by themselves.

Having an automatic gate reduces this risk significantly because children won’t readily have access to the mechanism that opens it, compared to traditional gates. This safety feature also applies to pets that may have learned how to open gates themselves.

Gates Provide Convenience

Like most automatic things, this feature makes gates more convenient for homeowners. Imagine not having to leave your vehicle to open or close the gate every time you come in or out of your driveway. It saves so much time as well.

This also makes it an excellent feature if you have visitors over or if your area is greatly exposed to rain or snow.

Contact For Sure Gates for Your Residential Gate Project

Automatic gates offer so many benefits for homeowners. Security and safety top the list, but there are other advantages that make the investment worth it. Read our other blogs for more information on automatic gates.

If you need repairs or installations, call us at (817) 965-7873.

Now that you’ve selected your gate’s size, color, and material, it’s time to consider whether you want to go automatic or manual. If your gate is fairly small and made of a light material, going manual is no problem.  But having a heavy and solid gate may require automation.

Automation makes it more convenient to open and close your gate, often with just a click of a button on your remote control or smartphone. You don’t have to get out of your car or require someone inside your house or commercial property to wait for you and operate the gate. It’s no surprise that the global automatic gate industry is a multi-million dollar market.

If you want to automate your gate, you need the right gate opener. A gate opener is usually part of your electric driveway gate’s cost, so when you make a choice, consider your budget, not just your preference. Here’s a guide to finding the right opener for your gate.

Determine How Your Gate Operates

The first step in finding the right gate opener is determining how your gate operates. There are two popular types of gates: swinging and sliding. The mechanism of your gate opener should work with the kind of gate you have.

Swinging gate — If you have a swinging gate, you’ll need a top or bottom-mounted swing arm. These are independent modules that are relatively low-profile. They’re barely noticeable when mounted on your gate.

A linear or ram arm is more noticeable but is easier to mount than other types. Compared to top and bottom mounted arms, which need to have their modules installed on the ground, you only need to attach a linear arm to a column and the gate itself.  

Sliding gate — With a sliding gate, you’ll need to have a chain-operated gate opener. The chain runs under the gate and is operated by a discrete motor.

Consider the Weight of Your Gate

Not every gate opener is built the same. The ones that cost hundreds of dollars are made for light loads, around 1,000 pounds. There are also heavy-duty openers used for hefty wrought iron and steel gates that weigh around 2,000 pounds or more. These can cost thousands of dollars.

If you’re not sure about your gate’s weight, ask your gate contractor and shop around for openers that accommodate the load. You may also check your gate and gate opener’s specification sheets to see if they’re compatible. Some may come with safety features, opening mechanism options, or power source options.

Take Your Columns into Account

Apart from your gate and gate opener’s weight, you should also consider your column’s heft and capacity. This is especially true for ram openers, which attach directly to it. A flimsy or thin column may crack or even break under the pressure of your gate opener’s operation.

Ask your gate contractor to assess your gate to see if its columns are solid enough for a gate opener. If not, you may want to consider a bottom or top-mounted gate opener connected directly to the ground.

Think About the Power Source

Since gate openers are electronic, they’ll need a power source to work. Before installing a gate and gate opener, consult with an electrician to ensure that you have electricity available in the area of your gate. Otherwise, you may need to spend extra to have electrical wiring installed.

You might also want to discuss a solar power source with your gate installer. A lot of gate openers come with one, which makes your gate energy-efficient. This way, you don’t have to worry about your gate failing to operate because of a blackout. As such, you might want to check the location of your gate to ensure enough sunlight to harness electricity.

You get to save money on bills, too, because you don’t have to use energy from your main power grid. Solar power being better for the environment than traditional power sources is also a nice bonus.

Look for Safety Features

Gates are made of heavy, solid metals. If any electronic parts malfunction, it could cause the whole installation to fail or move unpredictably. Prevent your gate from causing injuries or damage to your car by making sure that it has safety features like:

• An infrared sensor that stops the gate from moving when it detects an obstacle
• Remote control or smart application on your phone that lets you control the gate from afar

These features allow you to be far from the gate every time it opens or closes. You don’t have to worry about you or your car getting squished between the gate panels.

With advancements in technology, automatic gates and gate openers are starting to become the norm. Find the right gate opener by considering important factors like your gate type, column size, power source, opener safety features, and more.

Get Your Gate Opener Installed By a Professional

If you’re looking for a professional team to install your automatic gate opener, contact 4 Sure Gates. We provide customized gate design, installation, and repair services to businesses and homeowners in Dallas and Fort Worth. Our team has over 15 years of experience in professional gate installation and service. Trust us to provide quality services every time.

Call us today to get an estimate for your gate project.