Let’s be real—anything with moving parts is eventually going to need a little TLC. Your car needs oil changes, your HVAC system needs a tune-up, and yes—your electric gate openers need regular maintenance, too.
At Fantastic Fence, we repair, install, and maintain gate operators across Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, El Dorado, Nevada, and Yuba Counties. One of the most common things we see? A perfectly good gate system turning into a pricey repair job… simply because it didn’t get routine maintenance.
Here’s why a little attention once or twice a year can keep your gate opener going strong—and your wallet breathing easy.
Keep It Running Smooth, Not Squeaking and Straining
Electric gate openers have motors, chains, arms, hinges, tracks—you name it. These parts are constantly working against the elements, and without lubrication and care, they start grinding, binding, or wearing out way faster than they should.
Regular maintenance includes:
- Lubricating chains and moving parts
- Adjusting belt tension or alignment
- Inspecting hinges, wheels, and tracks for wear
Just like you wouldn’t run your truck 100,000 miles without an oil change (we hope), don’t let your gate go year after year without a little upkeep.
Critter Control: Keep Bugs and Rodents Out of the Control Box
We’ve opened enough gate control boxes to know: spiders, ants, and even mice love to move in. But electronics and bug nests? Not a great mix.
During a maintenance visit, we:
- Clean out the control box
- Check for insect or rodent damage
- Seal or secure any vulnerable access points
Trust us—removing a wasp nest is way cheaper than replacing a shorted-out circuit board.
Test the Brains and the Backup
Your gate’s electronics—the keypad, remote receivers, Wi-Fi controllers, and battery backups—are all critical for day-to-day function. But they don’t always give you a warning before they fail.
We’ll test:
- Battery backups to ensure they work during a power outage
- Safety sensors and photo eyes
- Keypads, intercoms, and remote controls
- All safety features to ensure your gate won’t close on a car, kid, or dog
Think of it like a systems check for your garage door—but for your whole entrance.
Avoid Costly Repairs Down the Road
Here’s the deal: catching a loose bracket or a low battery now costs way less than waiting until the gate motor dies or the whole system shorts out in the rain. Regular maintenance reduces:
- Unexpected breakdowns
- Emergency service calls
- The chance you’ll need a full replacement early
It’s proactive, not reactive—and it adds years to your system’s life.
So… How Often Should You Get Maintenance?
For most homeowners and businesses, we recommend once or twice per year, depending on usage and environment.
- Got a high-traffic gate? Go for twice a year.
- Only use it occasionally? Once annually may do the trick.
Either way, a regular checkup from our techs keeps things humming and lets you stay focused on more important things—like not being stuck outside at 10 PM because your gate won’t open.
Bottom Line: Maintenance Isn’t Optional—It’s Essential
If your gate opener is already making weird noises, running slower, or acting glitchy—give us a shout. If it’s working great? That’s even better. Let’s keep it that way with a Fantastic Fence Maintenance Plan.
We’re local, fast, and we know these systems inside and out.
Serving Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, El Dorado, Nevada, and Yuba Counties
www.callfantasticfence.com
Let’s make sure your gate keeps doing its job—quietly, smoothly, and reliably.