An electric gate is a significant investment – and like any mechanical and electrical system, it needs regular care to keep performing at its best.
Harrogate Automation provides professional electric gate servicing across Harrogate, Ripon, Wetherby, Bedale, Thirsk and the wider North Yorkshire area, helping property owners protect their investment, maintain safety compliance and avoid costly breakdowns.
Whether you have a domestic driveway gate that’s used a handful of times a day, or a commercial entrance gate handling heavy traffic, a scheduled service from our qualified engineers will keep your system running smoothly – and ensure you remain compliant with manufacturers’ warranty requirements.
Why Regular Electric Gate Servicing Matters
It’s easy to overlook gate maintenance when everything seems to be working fine – but prevention is always more cost-effective than cure. Electric gate systems involve a combination of mechanical components, electrical systems, and safety devices, all of which are subject to wear over time. A routine service identifies minor issues before they develop into expensive failures.
There are several important reasons to keep on top of your gate servicing:
- Warranty compliance – most electric gate manufacturers require evidence of regular servicing to keep the product warranty valid. Skipping a service could invalidate your cover entirely.
- Safety – automated gates are powerful pieces of machinery. Regular checks ensure that safety devices such as photocells, safety edges and auto-reverse functions are operating correctly, protecting people, vehicles and pets.
- Reliability – a well-serviced gate is far less likely to develop unexpected faults or fail at an inconvenient time.
- Longevity – routine lubrication, adjustment and inspection can significantly extend the working life of your gate system.
- Insurance – some insurers require evidence of regular maintenance for commercial properties with automated gates.
We strongly recommend that all automated gate owners – domestic and commercial – establish a regular servicing schedule with a qualified engineer.
What’s Included in an Electric Gate Service?
Every gate system is different, and our servicing is always tailored to the specific installation – its type, age, usage level and any previous maintenance history. That said, a thorough service from Harrogate Automation will typically cover the following areas:
Gate Structure and Mechanics
- Inspection of the overall gate construction, frame integrity and hinges
- Check of post construction and fixing points
- Inspection of all bolts, welds and structural fixings
- Lubrication of all moving parts, including hinges, bearings and drive components
- Check of track and drive rack condition on sliding gates
- Inspection of the drive mechanism and any gearing
Electrical Inspection
- Check of motors, variable speed drives and hydraulic operators for condition and correct operation
- Visual check for signs of overheating in the control panel and motor housing
- Inspection and cleaning of the control panel
- Check of all electrical connections and terminal security
- Inspection of cable integrity and routing
- Check of any fitted electrical safety devices
- Inspection of foundation box drainage where applicable
- Cleaning and resealing of photocells, intercoms and keypads
- Check of loop detectors, safety switches, limit switches and photocells
- Check of radio receivers, transmitters, antennas, timers and warning lights
Safety Device Testing
- Full test of photocell alignment and operation
- Test of safety edge function – ensuring the gate stops and reverses on contact
- Verification that the gate stops and returns on impact
- Check of manual release mechanism for use in the event of a power failure
- Review of overall gate speed and adjustment on request
Access Control and Entry Systems
- Check of intercom operation and audio/visual quality
- Test of keypad and remote control access
- Check of key fob programming and range
At the end of each service, we provide a full written report detailing the condition of your system and any recommendations for remedial work. This serves as an important maintenance record – useful for warranty claims and insurance purposes alike.
How Often Should Electric Gates Be Serviced?
The right servicing frequency depends primarily on how much the gate is used. As a general rule:
Domestic gates: Most residential gates will only require a single annual service. With relatively modest usage – perhaps 10 to 20 cycles per day – a yearly check is usually sufficient to keep the system in good condition.
Commercial gates: Gates at business premises, industrial sites, car parks or other high-traffic locations typically require a minimum of two services per year. High-cycle usage puts significantly more strain on motors, drive mechanisms and safety devices, making more frequent inspection essential.
If your gate system is older, has a history of faults, or operates in a harsh environment – exposed to coastal weather, heavy dust or extreme cold – more frequent servicing may be advisable. Our engineers can assess your system and recommend the most appropriate schedule.
Areas We Cover for Electric Gate Servicing
Harrogate Automation provides electric gate servicing across a wide area of North Yorkshire and North Leeds. Our current coverage includes:
- Harrogate
- Ripon
- Wetherby
- Bedale
- Thirsk
- Knaresborough
- Boroughbridge
- North Leeds and surrounding villages
If you’re unsure whether we cover your location, please give us a call and we’ll be happy to confirm.
Book Your Electric Gate Service Today
Don’t wait for something to go wrong. A proactive service from Harrogate Automation is the most cost-effective way to protect your gate investment, maintain safety and keep your system performing reliably year after year.
All of our servicing costs are tailored to your specific gate system and requirements, taking into account factors such as gate type, motor configuration, usage level and engineer travel time. To receive a personalised quote or to book a service visit, get in touch with our team today.
Call us on 01423 560053 or email info@harrogate-automation.co.uk to arrange your service or request a quote.
Frequently Asked Questions About Electric Gate Servicing
How much does it cost to service electric gates?
There’s no single fixed price for electric gate servicing – costs vary depending on several factors specific to your installation. The type of gate (swing, sliding, bi-fold), the motor and automation system fitted, the number of access control devices, usage levels and your location relative to our base in North Yorkshire all influence the final price.
Domestic gates are generally more straightforward and lower cost to service than commercial systems, which tend to involve more complex automation, higher usage cycles and additional safety devices. As a guide, commercial installations with multiple services per year will typically incur higher cumulative costs than a single annual domestic service.
We don’t publish fixed service prices because we believe in giving every customer an accurate, tailored quote rather than a figure that may not reflect your system’s actual requirements. Contact us on 01423 560 053 or email info@harrogate-automation.co.uk for a no-obligation quote based on your specific gate.
Should electric gates be serviced?
Yes, without question. Regular servicing is essential for three key reasons: safety, reliability and warranty compliance. Automated gates are powerful mechanical systems, and the safety devices that prevent injury or damage – photocells, safety edges, auto-reverse functions – need to be tested regularly to ensure they’re working correctly. A gate that appears to be functioning normally could still have a compromised safety device that poses a risk.
From a warranty perspective, virtually all electric gate manufacturers stipulate that their products must be regularly inspected and serviced for the warranty to remain valid. If you need to make a warranty claim and can’t demonstrate a servicing history, your claim could be rejected. Regular servicing is also simply good practice – it catches problems early, extends the life of the system and saves money in the long run by avoiding emergency call-outs and major component replacements.
How do you fix an electric gate that won't open?
If your electric gate won’t open, start with the basics before calling an engineer. Check whether there’s a power supply to the motor and control panel – a tripped circuit breaker or blown fuse can sometimes be the culprit. Check your remote control battery, and try using the keypad or intercom if one is fitted. If the gate has been physically obstructed or the safety edge has been triggered, the system may have entered a stopped state that needs resetting.
If none of these simple checks resolve the issue, the fault is likely more technical – a failed motor, a damaged control board or an issue with the wiring. At this point, it’s best to use the manual release (usually a key override built into the motor) to allow access, and then contact a qualified gate engineer to diagnose and repair the fault.
What is the best lubricant for electric gates?
The right lubricant depends on the component being treated. As a general rule, a lithium-based grease is suitable for most mechanical components including hinges, pivot points and drive gears – it offers good protection against moisture and wear without attracting excessive dirt. For sliding gate tracks and drive racks, a dry PTFE (Teflon-based) lubricant is often preferred, as it provides effective lubrication without the gummy residue that wet lubricants can leave, which can attract grit and accelerate wear.
For motors and gearboxes, it’s important to use only the lubricant specified by the manufacturer – using the wrong product can damage seals or void the warranty. WD-40 is often used as a quick fix, but it’s primarily a water displacer rather than a long-term lubricant and is not suitable for most gate components on its own.
If you’re unsure what lubricant to use on your specific system, the safest approach is to leave lubrication to a qualified engineer during a scheduled service. Our engineers use manufacturer-approved products and know exactly which components require attention – and how much lubrication is appropriate.