Preparing Your Electric Gates for Winter: Maintenance Tips for West Yorkshire
Winters in West Yorkshire can be harsh, freezing temperatures, frost, snow, and heavy rain are all common. Such conditions can take a toll on automated gate systems if they’re not properly maintained. By taking some preventative steps as autumn turns to winter, you can ensure your electric gates continue to operate smoothly and safely, even in the coldest months. Here’s a handy winter maintenance guide for electric gates, whether they’re installed at a Leeds suburban home or a rural property near Huddersfield.
Inspect and Lubricate Moving Parts
Cold weather can cause metal components to contract and lubricants to thicken, leading to stiff gate movement. As winter approaches, inspect all moving parts of your gate:
- Hinges and Pivot Points: For swing gates, check the hinges and pivot pins. Clean away any rust or old grease buildup. Apply a cold-weather appropriate lubricant to these points. (Avoid thick grease that can harden in the cold; a quality silicone or lithium spray lubricant often works well in low temperatures.)
- Track and Rollers (for Sliding Gates): Clear out any debris from the track. Leaves, twigs, and dirt can accumulate in autumn and create obstructions. Wipe the track clean and ensure the rollers are moving freely. Lubricate the rollers and any wheel bearings lightly.
- Chain or Screw Drive: If your gate motor uses a chain drive or screw drive, make sure it’s well-lubricated and properly tensioned. A loose chain can slip in cold weather, and a dry chain can seize up. Use a lubricant recommended by your gate manufacturer for these components.
- Regular lubrication reduces friction and helps prevent the motor from straining. It also wards off rust by providing a protective coating on metal surfaces. Remember to wipe off excess oil or grease, as too much can actually trap moisture or collect dirt – a thin, even film is best.
Check Electrical Components and Battery Backup
Winter weather can be unforgiving to electrical systems:
- Weatherproof Enclosures: Examine the control box (where the circuit board and electronics are). Ensure its enclosure is properly sealed. Tighten any screws on the lid and make sure cable entry points have intact grommets or sealant. Moisture ingress is a common cause of gate failures in winter – condensation or water can short circuits. If you see any signs of water inside or corrosion on terminals, address it before the deep winter sets in.
- Battery Health: Many electric gates, especially those with battery backup systems, rely on a battery to either power the gate (in solar setups) or to kick in during a power cut. Cold temperatures can reduce battery efficiency. Test your battery backup by cutting power to the gate and seeing if it operates on battery. If the gate movement is sluggish or the battery is more than a few years old, consider replacing it to ensure you have reliable backup on freezing days.
- Photocells and Sensors: Wipe down the safety sensors (photocells) and any ground loops or smart sensors you have. Ice and dirt can misalign or block sensors, which might prevent the gate from closing (as the system could falsely think there’s an obstruction). Make sure photocell lenses are clean and aligned properly across the gateway.
Clear the Area of Snow and Ice
If snow is forecast or after a snowfall, keep the gate area as clear as possible:
- Manual Clearing: Shovel snow away from sliding gate tracks and swing gate paths. Piled snow can act as a physical stopper or even trigger safety sensors. For swing gates, don’t let snow drift build up where the gate opens. For sliding gates, ensure the track is fully cleared along its length.
- De-icing: Use salt or sand sparingly around the gate. While rock salt can help melt ice, be cautious – excessive salt can corrode metal components over time. It’s often better to use a non-corrosive de-icer or simply clear the area manually and use sand for traction on ice if needed.
- Frozen Locks or Motor Gearbox: If your electric gate has a manual lock or the motor gearbox is exposed, these parts can freeze. A shot of a silicone spray or even a squirt of WD-40 into keyholes or lock mechanisms can dispel moisture and prevent freezing. Never try forcing a frozen gate motor – use the manual release (after perhaps warming the motor gently) to disengage it if needed, then address the freezing issue.
Test Safety Features Regularly
Winter is not the time you want gate safety features failing – imagine a gate stuck closed when you’re trying to leave on an icy morning, or worse, not stopping if it hits an object buried in the snow. Test the auto-reverse function by placing a soft object in the gate’s path and closing it (a foam pool noodle works well). The gate should detect resistance and reverse immediately. Also test the photocells by blocking the beam while the gate is closing – it should stop or reverse. If any safety feature isn’t responsive, call a professional for service immediately. It’s crucial these features work, especially in low-visibility conditions where someone might get near the gate unexpectedly.
Schedule a Professional Service (If Needed)
If you’re not comfortable performing the above checks or if you notice anything off (weird noises, slower movement, error beeps on the control panel), it might be wise to schedule a professional maintenance service. A technician from Rawson Automation can perform a comprehensive winter service, which typically includes:
- Verifying all electrical connections are tight and corrosion-free.
- Testing motor capacitors and adjusting force settings for optimal cold-weather performance.
- Draining and replacing hydraulic oil in hydraulic gate motors with winter-grade fluid (if applicable), since oil viscosity changes in cold weather.
- Checking that all seals (in hydraulic rams or motor casings) are intact to prevent water ingress.
- Fine-tuning limit switches or encoders so the gate doesn’t strain at the end of travel (important if cold causes slight contractions).
Think of it like a winter tune-up for your car, doing it for your gate can prevent breakdowns on the coldest day of the year. Businesses in West Yorkshire with commercial electric gates or barriers should especially consider an annual service before winter; a malfunctioning gate could disrupt operations or pose a security risk.
The Benefits of Winter Prep
By taking these winterising steps, you’ll prolong the life of your electric gate system and avoid inconvenient breakdowns. A bit of preparation can mean the difference between gliding out of your driveway on a frosty morning or being stuck because the gate won’t budge. Moreover, proper maintenance keeps the system safe – preventing situations where a heavy gate might become a hazard due to ice or mechanical failure. West Yorkshire winters can be unpredictable, but your electric gate can be ready for anything from November frosts to February snow. Keep this guide handy each year as a reminder, and you’ll enjoy trouble-free operation year-round.
Call today
If you’d like assistance getting your electric gates winter-ready, contact Rawson Automation for a free maintenance consultation. Our experts can perform a thorough check-up and service, ensuring your gates in Leeds, Harrogate, Bradford or anywhere in West Yorkshire are prepared for whatever winter brings. Don’t wait until it’s freezing – a little maintenance now will keep your gate running smoothly all season long!