How Often Should Electric Gates Be Serviced?

Do electric gates need servicing?

Yes. Electric gates should be serviced regularly to keep them safe, smooth and reliable.

A good electric gate system is not just a gate with a motor attached. It is a moving machine with hinges, rollers, motors, safety devices, access controls and electrical components. Like any mechanical system, it needs checking.

Regular servicing helps prevent breakdowns, keeps the gate working properly and makes sure safety features are doing their job.

At Keith Lomas Fabrications, we install, repair and service electric gates across Leeds, Harrogate, York and the wider Yorkshire area. This guide explains how often your gates should be serviced, what gets checked and when you should call someone out.

How often should electric gates be serviced?

For most residential electric gates, servicing once every 12 months is a sensible minimum.

For busier gates, commercial entrances or shared access points, servicing may be needed more often.

As a general guide:

The more often a gate is used, the more important regular servicing becomes.

A gate that opens 10 times a day is very different from one that opens 100 times a day.

Why electric gate servicing matters

Electric gates are easy to forget about when they are working well.

You press the remote. The gate opens. You drive in. That is it.

But behind that simple movement, there are parts under constant strain. Motors work. Hinges move. Tracks collect debris. Safety sensors get dirty. Settings can drift. Weather takes its toll.

Regular servicing helps with:

• Safety
• Reliability
• Smooth operation
• Longer motor life
• Reduced breakdown risk
• Lower repair costs over time
• Better security
• Peace of mind

A small adjustment during a service can prevent a much bigger repair later.

What does an electric gate service include?

A proper service should check the whole system, not just the motor.

The exact checks depend on whether you have swing gates, sliding gates, underground motors, above-ground motors, intercoms, keypads or app control.

A typical electric gate service may include:

• Visual inspection of the gate
• Checking hinges, brackets, rollers or tracks
• Testing gate movement
• Checking motor operation
• Inspecting the control panel
• Testing photocells
• Testing safety edges
• Checking force settings
• Inspecting cabling where visible
• Checking remote controls and access devices
• Cleaning key components
• Lubricating suitable moving parts
• Checking manual release
• Looking for signs of wear or damage
• Confirming the gate stops safely
• Advising on any repairs needed

The aim is simple.

The gate should open smoothly, close securely and stop safely.

Swing gate servicing

Swing gates need particular attention around hinges, brackets and motor arms.

Over time, hinges can wear, posts can move slightly and the gate can drop out of alignment. If that happens, the motor may have to work harder than it should.

A swing gate service may include:

• Checking both leaves are level
• Checking hinge wear
• Checking motor brackets
• Testing opening and closing limits
• Checking for rubbing or ground contact
• Inspecting the post or pillar fixings
• Testing safety devices
• Checking manual release

If a swing gate starts dragging, slowing down or closing unevenly, it should be checked sooner rather than later.

Sliding gate servicing

Sliding gates need extra attention around the track, rollers and drive system.

Leaves, stones, ice, mud and dirt can all affect how smoothly the gate slides. If the track is blocked or the rollers are worn, the motor has to work harder.

A sliding gate service may include:

• Clearing the track
• Checking rollers
• Inspecting the guide system
• Checking the rack and motor gear
• Testing gate alignment
• Checking end stops
• Testing safety devices
• Checking motor strain
• Inspecting the track foundation

A sliding gate should move smoothly and quietly. If it starts jolting, grinding or slowing down, it needs attention.

What are the warning signs your electric gate needs a service?

You should book a service or repair if you notice any of these signs:

• The gate is moving slower than usual
• It makes grinding, scraping or clicking noises
• It stops halfway
• It opens but will not close
• It closes but will not open
• It keeps reversing
• The remote only works sometimes
• The keypad or intercom is unreliable
• The gate is dragging on the ground
• The motor sounds strained
• The gate does not line up properly
• The safety sensors are triggering randomly
• The gate feels loose or unstable
• The manual release is difficult to use

Do not ignore small changes.

A gate rarely goes from perfect to broken overnight. Most problems start with warning signs.

Why safety checks are so important

Electric gate safety is not optional.

Because an electric gate moves with force, it needs to be set up and maintained safely. Safety devices help detect people, vehicles and obstacles.

A service should check that the gate stops and reacts as it should.

Safety checks may include:

• Photocell operation
• Safety edge operation
• Force limitation
• Stop and reverse behaviour
• Manual release
• Warning signs or labels
• General risk points around the gate

This matters for homes, but it matters even more for commercial sites, shared entrances and places where children, visitors or the public may be nearby.

A gate that works is not enough. It needs to work safely.

Can you service electric gates yourself?

You can do basic owner checks, but a proper service should be handled by someone competent.

As a homeowner, you can:

• Keep the track clear on sliding gates
• Remove leaves and debris
• Check the gate area is clear
• Clean photocell lenses gently
• Listen for unusual noises
• Watch for slow or uneven movement
• Check the remote batteries
• Report faults early

But you should not adjust motor force, bypass safety devices, modify wiring or attempt major repairs unless you know exactly what you are doing.

Electric gates combine mechanical movement and electrical systems. Guesswork can be dangerous.

What happens if electric gates are not serviced?

If electric gates are left without servicing, small issues can turn into bigger ones.

Common problems include:

• Worn hinges
• Strained motors
• Misaligned gates
• Damaged tracks
• Failed photocells
• Intercom faults
• Remote control issues
• Rust or surface damage
• Noisy operation
• Gates sticking open or closed
• Increased safety risks

In many cases, servicing is cheaper than emergency repairs.

It also reduces the chance of your gate failing at the worst possible time, like when you are trying to leave for work or get the car off the road.

Do new electric gates need servicing?

Yes.

A new gate should still be serviced regularly.

The first year is especially important because everything settles after installation. Hinges bed in. Ground conditions can shift slightly. Motors and limits may need checking. Weather can expose small adjustment issues.

A new installation should include clear handover advice on servicing and maintenance.

If your gate has a warranty, regular servicing may also be part of keeping that warranty valid. Always check the terms provided by your installer.

Do manual gates need servicing?

Manual gates do not have motors or electrical components, but they still benefit from checks.

Manual gate maintenance may include:

• Checking hinges
• Adjusting alignment
• Inspecting posts
• Checking locks and latches
• Lubricating suitable moving parts
• Looking for rust or damage
• Checking that the gate opens freely

If a manual gate becomes heavy, stiff or misaligned, it can put strain on hinges and posts.

A small adjustment can make it easier and safer to use.

How much does electric gate servicing cost?

The cost of servicing depends on the type of gate, the automation system, the condition of the gate and whether any repairs are needed.

A standard service is usually more affordable than a major repair or emergency call-out.

The best approach is to ask for a clear price before the visit, including what is included in the service and whether parts are charged separately.

A good servicing company should explain what they have checked and what needs attention.

Should you set up a servicing plan?

If your gate is used daily, a servicing plan is a good idea.

A servicing plan gives you routine checks without having to remember to book them.

It can be especially useful for:

• Electric gates used every day
• Large family homes
• Shared entrances
• Landlords
• Businesses
• Commercial yards
• Apartment entrances
• Gates with intercoms or access systems

Regular checks keep the system running and reduce the risk of sudden failure.

Electric gate repairs in Leeds and Yorkshire

If your electric gates have stopped working, the first step is to identify whether the problem is mechanical, electrical or access-control related.

Common repair issues include:

• Motor failure
• Remote control faults
• Intercom problems
• Gate alignment issues
• Damaged safety sensors
• Power supply faults
• Track obstruction
• Worn hinges or rollers
• Control board issues

Keith Lomas Fabrications can inspect the system, explain the issue and advise whether repair, adjustment or replacement is the right route.

How to keep your electric gates working well between services

You can help extend the life of your gates with simple habits:

• Keep the gate area clear
• Do not force the gate by hand unless using the manual release
• Keep sliding tracks free from stones and debris
• Clean photocell lenses gently
• Replace remote batteries when needed
• Report strange noises early
• Do not ignore slow movement
• Book servicing before winter if your gate has been unreliable

Yorkshire weather can be hard on outdoor equipment, especially through winter. A pre-winter check can help avoid annoying failures during cold, wet weather.

When should you call an installer urgently?

You should call someone quickly if:

• The gate is stuck open or closed
• The gate has hit a vehicle or person
• The gate is moving unpredictably
• Safety sensors are not working
• The gate will not stop properly
• The motor is smoking, hot or making loud noises
• The gate is leaning or unstable
• Electrical components are exposed or damaged

Do not keep using a gate that feels unsafe.

Switch it off if needed and arrange an inspection.

Book electric gate servicing in Leeds

Electric gates should make life easier, not become another problem to worry about.

Regular servicing keeps them safe, smooth and reliable.

Keith Lomas Fabrications services and repairs electric gates across Leeds, Harrogate, York and wider Yorkshire. Whether your gate needs a routine check, a safety inspection or a repair, we can help.

Send us a few details about your gate, the issue you are having and your postcode.

Book an electric gate service today or contact Keith Lomas Fabrications for advice.