Your busy property’s commercial gates likely open and close thousands of times a year. Over time, it’s only natural that this repeated use can take its toll. However, large machinery, trucks, and vehicles can accidentally bump into the gate and cause damage that must be promptly addressed. Here’s an overview of common types of gate damage that can be caused by vehicle impact.

• Scratches, cracks, and dents. Scratches, cracks, and dents in your metal gate can lead to rusting and compromise its integrity. It’s important to promptly repair the damage to keep your gate in top shape.
  
  
• Bent tracks. If your sliding gate is moving roughly or making grinding noises after being struck by a vehicle, the tracks may be bent or misaligned. The gate may have also been knocked off its tracks completely.
  
  
• Broken operator. If your swinging gate is jerky or won’t open, the swing arm operator may be compromised, or the electrical wiring may be damaged and require repair or replacement.
  
  
• Damaged hardware. It’s common for your gate’s hinges, latches, and chains to become damaged in a collision. These components must be replaced promptly to ensure the gate continues to function as intended.
  
  
• Leaning support posts. When a vehicle collides with a gate, it can push the support posts out of alignment, causing the gate to drag along the ground. Crooked or sinking support posts must be reinstalled.
  
  

If your commercial gate has been impacted by a vehicle accident, a Creative Door Services™ technician can come to your property to determine the extent of the damage. They’ll either repair the issue or suggest a full replacement. For instance, if the gate opener motor is damaged or your gate hinges are entirely worn down, it’s probably best to replace the gate.

Request a service or contact your local branch to ask about same-day services or emergency repairs.

Maintenance Tips for Commercial Gates

On top of accidental damage from vehicles, inadequate maintenance can also cause your commercial gate to break down unexpectedly. Here are a handful of maintenance tips to keep in mind.

• Tidy the area around the gate. Remove any leaves, dirt, and debris that have accumulated around your gate. This includes the tracks if you have a sliding gate. You should also make a point of trimming back any branches or overgrown shrubs that could interfere with the gate’s movement.
  
  
• Clean the gate. Use a damp rag to periodically wipe down your gate and remove any built-up residue. It’s best to do this by hand so you can address issues like flaky paint and rust.
  
  
• Touch up the finish. Regularly touch up nicks or scratches on your gate. If you have a steel gate, for example, scratches in the coating can expose the gate to rust buildup.
  
  
• Lubricate all moving parts. Your automatic gate should move freely and without friction. Therefore, make sure you lubricate all your gate’s moving parts, including the chain, pulley, wheels, hinges, and screws, with white lithium grease or a silicon-based lubricant.
  
  
• Inspect the gate operator. Inspect the seals around your gate operator to ensure they’re in good condition. This will keep insects and other pests out of your operator, preventing them from compromising the electrical connections or circuit boards.

If you want to ensure your commercial gate works properly, the team at Creative Door Services^TM can help. We offer a planned maintenance program to increase the safety and security of your business. One of our trained technicians will visit your facility regularly to adjust the gate’s torque, inspect the manual release system, test the obstacle detection and auto-reverse functions, and more. They’ll be able to detect minor problems before they become major issues, saving you from needing to prematurely invest in a new system.

Emergency Commercial Gate Repair in Western Canada

If you need your business’s automatic gate repaired or maintained, turn to the knowledgeable team at Creative Door Services™. We service a variety of commercial automatic gates and carry industrial operators and innovative access control systems to keep your business safe and secure. Our certified technicians have the knowledge, tools, and equipment to get the job done right.

To learn more about our products and services, or to get a free quote, contact us today. We provide in-house technical support and offer 24-hour emergency repair services from all locations. You can find us in Kelowna, British Columbia; Vancouver, British Columbia; Calgary, Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta; Fort McMurray, Alberta; Regina, Saskatchewan; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; and Winnipeg, Manitoba.