Electric Gate Maintenance and Servicing in Southampton and Hampshire

An electric gate works hard. It might open and close dozens of times a day, in rain, frost and summer heat, carrying a heavy steel leaf on a few hinges and a motor. Regular maintenance keeps it safe and reliable, and it usually costs far less than dealing with a breakdown. Here's what electric gate maintenance involves and how often it should happen.

How often should electric gates be serviced?

At least every six months. Busy sites, such as commercial entrances, managed residential blocks and industrial yards, may need visits more often. That's why we tailor maintenance contracts to each site.

What happens during a service

Safety checks and force testing

Force testing is done on every service. We measure how hard the gate pushes when it meets an obstruction and make sure it's within safe limits. We test photocells (non-contact sensors) and safety edges (contact devices), checking they stop or reverse the gate as they should. Most gates use both.

Mechanical checks

We look at hinges, posts, tracks, rollers, motors and gearboxes for wear, damage and corrosion. We check hinge gaps and look for finger traps. We clean and lubricate where needed and adjust anything that has moved.

Electrical and control checks

We check the control panel, wiring, limit settings and any backup batteries.

Access control

We check keypads, GSM units, remote handsets and intercoms, so everyone who should get in can.

Paperwork and report

You get paperwork and a written report covering any defects and parts that are wearing, so you can plan replacements rather than face a surprise breakdown.

Why maintenance matters

Safety. Sensors get knocked and safety edges split. Wear can make a gate push harder over time. Regular force testing catches this.

Reliability. Most breakdowns start small: a dry hinge, a loose bracket, a tired battery. A service catches them early.

Responsibility. Whoever owns or manages the gate is responsible for keeping it safe. For businesses and managing agents, the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 applies. A record of regular servicing shows you've taken that seriously.

Longer life. Motors and gearboxes that are adjusted and looked after properly last longer.

What you can do between services

• Keep photocell lenses clean and clear of plants
• Keep tracks clear of leaves, gravel and debris
• Watch and listen for changes, such as new noises, jerky movement or slower closing
• Never let children play with the gate or remotes
• Send us a photo or video by WhatsApp to 07890 387915 if something doesn't look right

Don't adjust motor force or settings yourself, as this can make the gate unsafe.

Maintenance contracts

A maintenance contract means you don't have to remember to book. Each one is tailored to the site: a single driveway gate needs something different from a business with gates, barriers and bollards. Visits are at least every six months, with force testing and a written report each time.

We maintain:

• domestic swing, sliding and cantilever gates
• commercial and industrial gates
• barriers and bollards
• access control, including keypads, intercoms and GSM

We service gates whoever installed them.

Signs your gate needs maintenance now

• It's noisier than usual, or grinds or clunks as it moves
• It moves jerkily, slows down or stops short of fully open or closed
• The remote only works from close up
• A safety edge is split, or a photocell has been knocked
• The control panel beeps or shows a fault light
• It hasn't been serviced in the last six months

Any of these is worth getting looked at before it turns into a breakdown.

Out-of-hours help

Out-of-hours emergency call-outs are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Extra charges apply outside normal hours.

Areas we cover

From our Southampton base we provide electric gate maintenance across Hampshire, including Portsmouth, Winchester, Romsey, Eastleigh, Fareham and the New Forest, and in Dorset, Surrey and Berkshire.

Frequently asked questions

How often should an electric gate be maintained? At least every six months.

Is force testing part of a service? Yes, on every service.

Do you maintain gates you didn't install? Yes.

What's in the report? Defects, worn parts likely to need replacing, and the results of checks on keypads, GSM units, handsets and intercoms.

Can you maintain barriers and bollards? Yes, as well as industrial gates.

Do you cover Dorset, Surrey and Berkshire? Yes, as well as Southampton and Hampshire.