Security gates are a great way to have protection for your home or business. But, you want to protect your investment and make sure that they last as long as possible. Doing your research and making sure you know how to take care of it will help a lot. 
There are some minor things that you can do to help. They are simple steps, and for the ones that you feel you can’t do on your own, you can call a professional to come and do it for you. New York Gates is a great company that has spit together a list of some beneficial ways to maintain your security gate.
Apply Lubricant To Moving Parts
These gates are opening and closing multiple times, possibly multiple times in a day. To help avoid parts breaking or needing repairs, you should lubricate all the moving parts of your security gate at least once a year. Depending on the weather where you live you might be able to extend that time, the professional who installed the gate should be able to provide information on it for you.
It will help things move easier and help to extend the life of your gate. One thing to keep in mind is to never use a water-based lubricant on your gate. There are materials for these gates made to have a seal on them to not need lubricating as well.
Check For Loose Pieces
It is a good idea to examine your security gate every so often and make sure all pieces are intact. Pieces can become loose over time from movement and can lead to major problems if they aren’t caught in time. If you make it a habit to observe your gate, then you can catch minor problems as they occur.
Clean Your Security Gate
Your security gate needs to be cleaned and maintained. Think about it like washing your car, you do that from time to time to keep it in good condition. You want to do the same for a security gate.
The gate is subject to the elements of the weather and that can take a toll on it. Making sure it is clear or grim, dirt, and rust can help to make it last longer. A good habit to get into is waxing it as well, this can also act as a seal to help repel dirt and grime.
Check For Insects
This may sound really silly to think about when taking care of a security gate. But, there are many things that can cause a malfunction or an electrical glitch, including bugs. They can get caught in different areas and cause a short or an error.
Sometimes you won’t notice this until it has already become a problem. To help avoid this issue and panic that there is an issue with your gate, make it a habit to routinely check the different areas of your gate for trapped insects. You can also try using pesticides or home remedies known to keep insects away.
Maintain Regularly
The best way that you can take care of your security gate is to make sure you are maintaining it regularly. That may sound like a completely obvious thing to do. Make it a priority that it has to have a complete look over once or twice a year.
Preventative maintenance is one of the most beneficial ways to stay away from high-cost repairs or replacements. If you can catch a minor problem before it turns into a bigger one, then you can avoid costly fixes. You can tighten screws, check electrical, make sure bugs are not present, and look for rust.
Types of Security Gates
There are many different types of security gates that you can get. Whether you are protecting your home, company, church, or school. You have to decide which option fits your needs the most.
Some of the many different kinds that you can find are:
- Bi-Folding Gates
- Vertical Pivot Gates
- Vertical Lift Gates
- Slide Gates
- Swing Gates
- Automatic Gates
Whichever you choose, they are all very beneficial and can provide a great deal of security and confidence. They will all come with their own needs as far as maintenance goes. You can ask a professional, read the manual, or look it up online.
How Long Will My Security Gate Last
With good maintenance and care your gate can last you 10 years. You may have some hiccups from time to time and need some repairs done, but you should get at least 10 years out of it. There shouldn’t be any trouble with you getting your money’s worth out of it.
How Do I Know It’s Time To Replace My Security Gate
Besides age, there are some other signs that you can watch for to know you should probably purchase a new security gate. When you invest in a system, you want it to work and you want what you pay for. Here are some things to pay attention to:
- If your system is 10 years or older, and having frequent trouble, you should probably look at replacements.
- When you are having your gate repaired more often than not, it might be time for a new gate.
- If your gate has slowed down a lot and no longer closes as it is supposed to, this might be the time that the gate needs to be replaced.
If your gate is new and having any troubles like these, you should speak with the person who installed it. But, if yours has been there for several years, you shouldn’t keep paying repair bills often. Pay attention to the cost of repairs and service calls compared to the cost of a new gate. If your prices are close, the most financially beneficial decision might be a new security gate.
New York Gates is the leading security gate and commercial garage door supplier and installer in New York City. We service all the 5 boroughs of NYC. Get in touch with New York Gates today for a FREE quote.
