How Often Should Electric Gates Be Serviced?

Short answer: at least once a year for a home, and more often for busy or commercial gates. Here's how to work out what's right for yours.

A guide

Type of gate	How often
Home gate, normal family use	Once a year
Home gate, heavy use or exposed site	Every six to twelve months
Shared gate – apartments, private roads	Every six months
Commercial gate, moderate use	Every six months
Commercial gate, very busy (car parks, depots)	Every three to six months

This is a general guide – the manufacturer's instructions may say otherwise.

How often it opens. A family gate might open a few times a day; a car park barrier or apartment gate, hundreds.
Weight and size. Heavier gates put more strain on hinges, motors and posts.
Exposure. Coastal salt air, strong winds and wet sites all speed up wear.
Type of automation. Underground motors need their drainage checked; hydraulics need their oil and seals looked at.
Who uses it. Gates used by the public, children or lots of different people need more frequent safety checks.

Safety. Closing forces and safety devices change as parts wear. A service catches it.
Reliability. Most breakdowns I see could have been prevented.
Cost. Replacing a worn hinge is cheaper than the motor it wrecks.
Legal duties. Gates at workplaces and shared sites must be maintained. See maintenance contracts.

Keep an eye on things yourself – see simple gate care you can do yourself.

I service all the major brands across Northern Ireland. Call, text or WhatsApp Adrian on 07855 781433. See what's included in a service.

Do electric gates need servicing every year?

For most homes, yes – once a year keeps them safe and reliable.

Can I skip a service if the gate's working fine?

A gate can work fine and still not be safe. The service checks the safety devices and forces, not just whether it moves.

When's the best time of year to service a gate?

Any time, but autumn is a good choice – before the winter weather tests it.