Keeping Electric Gates Working: Common Faults, Servicing and Upgrades

An electric gate is one of the hardest-working parts of a home, opening and closing several times a day in all weathers. Most problems build up slowly, and many can be avoided with a yearly service. When something does go wrong, knowing the common faults makes it easier to describe the problem and get it fixed quickly.

The faults that come up most

• Motor faults: the gate moves slowly, stops partway or reverses for no reason
• Control board failure: no response to the remote, keypad or intercom, or erratic behaviour after a power surge or water getting in
• Safety edge failure: the gate reverses when nothing is there, or fails to reverse when something is
• Intercom faults: no audio, no video or no entry release
• Misalignment: the gate scrapes the ground, hits a pillar or will not close flush
• Remote and access issues: often a flat fob battery or a reprogramming job

A faulty safety edge is a safety issue rather than an inconvenience, and should not be left. Local specialists in electric gate repairs work on all makes and types, and most faults are diagnosed and fixed in a single visit. Photos or a short video of the fault help them arrive with the right parts.

Quick checks before you book

Start with the simple things: check the fuse or circuit breaker at the consumer unit, try a different fob, and look for leaves, gravel or toys in the path of the gate or along a sliding gate's track. If the gate still will not work, mention what you have already tried when you book.

Servicing once a year

An annual service covers lubrication, safety edge testing, motor force calibration and photocell alignment. It keeps the gate compliant with BS EN 12453 and catches worn parts before they fail. Electric sliding gates also need their track kept clear of debris, while cantilever sliding gates avoid the track altogether.

When it is time to upgrade

If the gates themselves are sound but the motors are old, or the gates have only ever been opened by hand, it is often possible to motorise an existing gate rather than replace it. The installer checks the weight, hinges and pillars first, because a motor will expose a dragging or misaligned gate rather than fix it. Upgrades can also add app control, video intercoms and vehicle detection loops.

For homes in mid Essex, a local installer covering electric gates in Chelmsford, Wickford, Basildon, Brentwood and Braintree can handle repairs, servicing and upgrades as well as new gates.

A little maintenance goes a long way with an electric gate. For more on fencing, gates and the contractors who fit them, see our fencing services category.