5 Tips for Gate Maintenance as We Move into Summer

Security gates keep homes and businesses secure, but routine maintenance is important to ensure proper, long-lasting function. After a long winter, especially a cold one, the components of your gate are going to need some attention to operate smoothly moving into spring and summer. In addition to making sure that your gate is in working order, maintenance also improves the appearance of your home or business. A gate that is rusty or in need of repair detracts from the "curb appeal" offered by having a gate in the first place. The following tips will help you keep your gate in top condition this summer season.

1. Clean It Up 

Annual washing and waxing of your gate help maintain its appearance and cut down on costly repairs. Winter can lead to a buildup of dirt and other debris that stick in the hinges or sliding mechanisms of the gate. It's important to clear these out before they cause damage. You should also make sure the area around your gate is clean. If overgrown tree branches or bushes threaten to block any sensors or solar panels, trim and clean them up as well.

2. Be Squeak-Free 

Heavy-duty security gates have strong hinges that will likely need greasing after weathering the winter. To prepare your gate for summer operation, use a grease gun and some white lithium or marine-grade grease to lubricate the bearings. Stay away from grease that's too heavy and don't use WD-40; both of these can do more harm than good.

3. Check the Connections & Power Sources 

Openers, receivers and other electric gate parts should be inspected to ensure that all connections are secure. Look at wires and circuit boards to make sure that there are no "loose ends." Test all the equipment for glitches, including remote controls. If you're not familiar with electrical components, ask a knowledgeable professional for help so that you don't miss anything important. This is also a good time to double check batteries in remote controls and back up batteries. With spring and summer storms potentially knocking out power, it’s a good idea to make sure your back up power source is ready to go when needed.

4. Banish Pests 

Bugs will hide out in any sheltered area to protect themselves from harsh weather conditions. Check all parts of your fence, especially the electrical ones, for insects, snails, slugs and other pests. Any of these can leave behind a trail of destructive damage, leading to costly repairs. Spider webs are a concern as well since they can actually interfere with the operation of a gate's electrical units. Any sign of infestation may warrant a call to your local pest control company.

5. Go by the Book 

Whether you have a swing gate or a slide gate, your perimeter security should have come with a detailed manufacturer's manual. Refer to this as you perform routine maintenance to ensure that you're not missing any steps recommended by the company. It can also direct you to contact information should you need to get in touch with someone about repairs or replacement parts.

Routine maintenance of your security gate, whether it's outside your home or protecting your business, is essential to ensuring that it continues to work the way it should. Gates are meant to keep intruders and unwanted visitors out, thereby adding an important sense of security to a property. With the right upkeep, your gate will continue to do its job and help you to feel safe and protected for many years. Do you have a spring maintenance tip that we missed? Comment and share it below.

5 Best Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Security Gate for the Home

Every person who is security-conscious must consider what they want in a home security system. However, the people who want to have higher security at their homes must also consider what they must do to get such security. Often, a security gate is the way to go to ensure that people do not even make it up the driveway. However, there are other considerations and each of these considerations will make a security gate purchase perfect for the home.

Here are the 5 best questions to ask before choosing a security gate for the home:

1. Will A Gate Be Effective? 

Many people who want to have a security gate at the approach of their driveway must consider whether or not the gate will even do any good. The best thing to do is consider what other landscaping keeps people from approaching the house. If the only way up to the house is down the driveway, then a security gate will help.

2. Will The Gate Work in the Desired Location? 

There must be a place to install the gate. This means that there must be a pillar or some kind of structure that helps to support the gate. If the house does not have this in place, then a supporting post or structure will need to be a part of the new gate system. It’s also important to consider if your location’s environment matches your gate’s desired power source. In a heavily wooded area, a solar powered gate might not work as well as a battery or electrical powered gate system. When talking to your installer, always describe the environment of your desired gate operator location.

3. How to Control the Gate? 

For the family that hosts people often, they will want to have a keypad installed at the gate that their guest can use a secret code to open the gate. Also, the people who must let in a service truck should be able to do so without going down to the driveway. These codes can be one time use or permanent.

4. Which Way Does It Open? 

A swing gate can open like saloon doors. It can open inward towards the house or outward towards the street depending on the driveway and the amount of room between the gate and the street. Homes that are on a busy road may need to have the gate open towards the house. People who are not on a heavily-traveled road can have the gate open towards the road. For the people that are tight on space the length of the driveway, a sliding gate might be the best solution, which moves along a vertical groove to open the system.

5. The Size of the Gate 

The size of the gate can range from something very large to something that is small and decorative. Some of these gates are used strictly for security, but they can also be used for show just to make the exterior of the house look more elegant.

Depending on what the family needs, they can install a gate that is going to look great and keep their home secure at the same time. Contact the gate experts at PSSStore.net at 1-800-676-4909 with all your gate power questions for additional help in choosing the perfect gate for your home.