Sliding gates are a crucial part of overall property security. The alignment of your gate is one of the most important factors in the operation of your gate. It ensures smooth operation and efficiency. If a gate is not aligned correctly, it can lead to a bundle of problems and a headache for you.

In this article, we’ll take a look at gate maintenance and why gate alignment checks are one of the most important parts of gate maintenance.

The Importance of Gate Alignment

Gates are your first line of defence against intrusion. However, you need to keep it properly maintained to preserve its effectiveness. Gate alignment is a big part of that. A misaligned gate can lead to damage, which weakens the overall security of your system. It may also be possible for it to become stuck in an open position if the misalignment is bad enough. As you can imagine, a gate that is stuck open isn’t performing its job properly and is a large security risk.

Challenges with Gate Alignment

Sliding security gates require accurate positioning and synchronization to operate properly. They ensure smooth traffic flow and enhance the overall security of the property.

Some challenges that are most commonly encountered during gate alignment checks are:

Misalignment

There are many factors that can cause your gates to become misaligned, such as wear and tear, issues at installation, or operational changes. That can lead to inefficient flow control, increased leakage, or damage to the gate and the surrounding equipment.

Synchronization Issues

If you have a system that consists of multiple gates, proper synchronization is crucial. If the gates a misaligned or the timing is off, it can lead to flow imbalances, reduced efficiency, and even system failures.

Environmental Impact

There may be environmental factors that are causing your gate alignment issues. Temperature variation, corrosion, and vibrations can all impact gate alignment. These factors should be accounted for when adjusting the alignment of your gate system.

Gate Alignment Checks Improve Performance

A gate that is not properly aligned won’t perform the way it’s supposed to. It may be slow to open or close, slide jerkily along the track, and may even become stuck. That can lead to reduced traffic flow, delays, and loss of money from repairs or loss of productivity. Performing regular alignment checks ensures that your gate performs as expected

Regular Checks Increase Safety and Security

A gate that’s not in correct alignment can be slow or become stuck. That kind of problem can lead to safety risks and security issues. If it impedes the flow of traffic, it can present a safety issue. It may cause accidents or bottlenecks, leading to unsafe conditions.

Meanwhile, a gate that’s stuck open or closed is a large security risk. If it’s stuck open, you are basically rolling out the welcome mat for unauthorized intruders, especially at night. If it’s stuck closed, occupants won’t be able to get in or out of the property.

Improve Your Gate’s Lifespan

As we have mentioned, alignment issues with your gate can cause damage to the system components. Regular checks and maintenance can help identify wear and tear and faulty components that need repairs or replacing. If you ignore these issues, you may end up with severe damage to the gate and its opener, leading to the need for premature replacement. Even small problems can lead to significant damage over time. Regular gate alignment checks can help prevent that.

What Does a Gate Alignment Check Include?

A gate alignment check is an inspection that ensures your security gates are properly aligned with each other. Gate alignment checks are often part of a larger maintenance program that checks your gate’s condition.

Cleaning the Tracks of Debris

One of the most common causes of a misaligned gate is debris in the tracks interfering with the proper motion of the rollers. A gate alignment maintenance check will clear the accumulated dirt and debris, ensuring the gates can move freely without obstruction.

Adjust Hardware

Problems with the hardware, such as the hinges or tracks, can cause your gate to come out of alignment. A gate alignment check will allow us to adjust the hardware as necessary, such as tightening hinges, to ensure that the gate can move as intended.

Checking the Gate Balance

If your gate is not balanced properly that can cause alignment issues and your gate will have trouble sliding along the track. A gate alignment maintenance check will inspect the balance of your gate. If it is not balanced, your maintenance technician can repair it and put it back into balance.

Lubrication

Gate rollers and tracks require proper lubrication to prevent friction and excessive wear and tear. A gate alignment maintenance check will include lubricating the moving parts, including rollers, hinges, and track wheels using a white lithium grease or a silicon lubricant. That ensures smooth gate movement, minimizes noise, and reduces the chance of friction causing alignment issues.

Creative Door Services™ Understands the Importance of Gate Alignment Checks

At Creative Door Services™, we understand that your security gate is one of the most important parts of your property’s security perimeter. When your gate has maintenance needs such as an alignment check, you want a professional technician you can trust. Our licensed experts will check your gate’s alignment, clear the track of any debris, lubricate the necessary parts, and ensure your gate is balanced. We offer comprehensive planned maintenance programs that can ensure your security gate gets the care it needs to stay operational no matter what is thrown at it.

We operate throughout Western Canada and are the region’s most trusted service provider for gates, garage doors, and more.

For more information on gate alignment checks and gate maintenance, you can contact us today. We can’t wait to hear from you. 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. We look forward to working with you.