Automatic driveway gates are incredibly convenient as they allow for easy access to your property. However, if they don’t close properly, it’s important to take steps to correct the problem. After all, the issue could present a safety risk. Here are five reasons why your automatic gate may be unable to fully close and what you should do about it.

1. There’s debris under or around the gate

If you have a sliding gate, check to see if there’s any debris in the track that could prevent the gate from closing all the way. If you have a swinging gate, make sure there aren’t any overgrown plants or bushes that might be blocking the swing trajectory. Make sure to follow a maintenance routine when it comes to keeping your gate clean and functioning efficiently.

2. The hinges or tracks are worn

If your swinging gate won’t close all the way, check the hinges on the swing arm to make sure they aren’t rusted, sagging, bent, or broken. This could cause your gate to hang ajar. If the hinges aren’t in good shape, they must be repaired or replaced by a professional.

If you have a sliding gate, check to see if the tracks are worn. This can happen for a variety of reasons. For example, if the gate is unbalanced, it can scrape the tracks and slowly wear them down. Additionally, rust and debris can cause the tracks to become damaged. If your tracks are visibly worn and your gate won’t fully close, turn to the experts at Creative Door Services^TM for a repair or replacement.

3. The gate isn’t properly aligned

If your gate won’t close fully, check to see if it’s misaligned. This can happen as a result of inclement weather, physical damage, or extended use. Consequently, if your gate that won’t close is already a couple of decades old, it’s likely to be misaligned. In this situation, a member from the Creative Door Services^TM team can come to your property and help resolve the problem.

4. There’s a problem with the wiring

Your automatic gate may fail to close all the way if there’s an issue with the electrical wiring. This can occur as a result of insects or rodents nesting or chewing through the wires and weakening the connection. If this occurs, you’ll likely need to replace some of the wiring.

5. The photo-eye sensors are blocked, misaligned, or dirty

Twigs, rocks, leaves, and other debris can block your automatic gate sensors and prevent your gate from closing all the way. Therefore, make sure you remove any debris from around the gate sensors to keep the pathway clear.

Additionally, photo-eye sensors are delicate and can easily become misaligned. If there isn’t a clear path between the sensors, they may not work correctly. If this happens, simply realign the sensors by hand and make sure they face each other.

Furthermore, it’s easy for the photo-eye lenses on your automatic gate to become dirty, smudged, or covered in cobwebs. Therefore, check to see if you need to clean them with a dry, lint-free cloth.

Automatic gate systems don’t usually fail overnight. Instead, they tend to slowly degrade over time. That’s why it’s important to regularly maintain and inspect your gate for any signs that it requires service.

Comprehensive Planned Maintenance Program

Creative Door Services^TM offers a planned maintenance program for gates, garage doors, and commercial overhead door products. Once you register for it, our expert technicians will periodically come to your home and inspect your gate system to ensure it works properly. Our technicians will check all the electrical connections, inspect all the mechanical parts and hardware for signs of damage, test and adjust the gate’s torque, ensure the manual release, obstacle detection and auto-reverse functions are operating correctly, and so much more. We’re sure to catch minor problems before they become major issues.

At Creative Door Services™, we help ensure your automatic gate system runs efficiently and lasts the full length of its lifespan.

Reliable Automatic Gates in Western Canada

If you need help troubleshooting or maintaining your automatic gate, turn to the experienced team at Creative Door Services™. On top of providing custom residential and commercial gate solutions, we also offer installation and repair services. Plus, we have one of the most extensive products and parts catalogues in Canada.

If you have any questions about our services, contact one of our eight branches. We have locations in Kelowna, British Columbia; Vancouver, British Columbia; Calgary, Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta; Fort McMurray, Alberta; Regina, Saskatchewan; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; and Winnipeg, Manitoba.