We often treat our gates like front doors—we expect them to open and close thousands of times a year without complaint. But unlike your front door, your gate lives outside in the freezing rain, baking sun, and Bristol grit.
At Joe's Fencing & Landscaping, we find that 80% of the expensive gate repairs we perform could have been prevented with a simple 10-minute maintenance check twice a year. Here is how to keep your gate performing like new.
1. Timber Gates: Manage the Movement
Wood is a natural material; it breathes. It swells in the damp Bristol winters and shrinks in the summer heat.
- The "Stick" Fix: If your gate starts sticking in winter, don't immediately plane off the wood. When the weather dries, the wood will shrink back, and you'll be left with a huge gap. Instead, adjust the hinges. Most modern hook-and-band hinges have a threaded bolt that allows you to pull the gate in or push it out to compensate for seasonal movement.
- Feed the Wood: Just like a fence, a wooden gate needs UV protection. Apply a high-quality UV oil (like Osmo or similar) once a year to stop the timber turning grey and cracking.
2. Metal Gates: Fight the Rust
Iron and steel are incredibly strong, but their kryptonite is water ingress.
- Inspect the Paint: Check the bottom of the gate where road salts and grit splash up. If you see a chip in the paint or powder coating, sand it back and touch it up immediately with a metal paint. Once rust gets under the coating, it spreads like wildfire.
- Wash It Down: It sounds simple, but washing your metal gate with car shampoo once a year removes the corrosive grime that eats into the finish.
3. Automated Gates: Keep the Bugs Out
Electric gates are complex machines, and they require a specific set of checks.
- The "Slug" Problem: You would be amazed how many circuit boards are fried by slugs and spiders making a home in the control box. Open the box (safely!) and check for moisture or insects. Ensure the rubber seals are tight.
- Clear the Photocells: If your gate keeps reopening or refuses to close, 9 times out of 10, the safety beams (photocells) are dirty. Give the lenses a wipe with a damp cloth.
- Manual Release: Every electric gate has a manual release key for power cuts. Test this once a year! There is nothing worse than a power cut in a storm and realizing the manual lock has seized up because it hasn't been turned in five years.
4. The Golden Rule: Lubrication
Friction causes wear. If metal rubs against metal without grease, it will eventually grind away.
Stop Using WD-40! This is a common mistake. WD-40 is a cleaner/solvent, not a long-term lubricant. It actually strips away existing grease. Use This Instead: Use White Lithium Grease or a dedicated gate spray on hinges, latch keeps, and sliding tracks. It stays in place and repels water.
Need a Professional Service?
If your gate has dropped, rusted, or stopped working, don't force it. A service now is cheaper than a replacement later.
Featured Image Image * [Close-up shot of a hand applying white grease to the heavy-duty hinge of a wooden driveway gate, with a can of lubricant visible] Image Alt Text * Applying white lithium grease to gate hinges for maintenance Tags Select Tags * Gate Maintenance, Electric Gates, Home Security, DIY Tips, Bristol SEO Settings Meta Title * Maintenance Guide: How to Maintain Timber & Electric Gates Meta Description * Keep your gate working perfectly. We share expert maintenance tips for timber, metal, and automated gates, from hinge adjustment to rust prevention.