Keep Your Custom Gate in Great Shape: Learn Simple Maintenance Tips
If you want a custom gate that will last for years to come, then you must start by choosing the right company from whom to buy it. That said, even the highest quality custom gate won’t last forever. How long it will last is partially due to how well it was made and partially due to how well you maintain it. Read on to learn a few tips that will help you keep your gate in great shape.
Don’t mistake the need for little maintenance with the need for no maintenance
Any company that builds or repairs custom gates will tell you that gates don’t need much maintenance. This is true, but don’t make the mistake of mixing up “little maintenance” with “no maintenance.” The main thing that will need to be done is to make sure that the inner tube that goes in and out of the arm stays in good shape. You can do this by spraying silicon spray right on the inner tube.
Note that you should never use a spray oil or any other type of penetrating oil. Why? Because they can allow dust and grime to collect. An example of a penetrating oil would be WD-40. Instead, use a silicon spray that can help ensure that the inner seal stays flexible and keeps the moisture out of the arm. The result will be that the arm won’t lock even if temperatures go well below zero.
Your hinge area needs help
Most of the time, the hinge area on an ornamental swing has grease fittings. These need to be greased several times a year at the least. It wouldn’t hurt to occasionally take off the arm entirely and to then swing the gate by hand. This will let you know if it’s working correctly or if there are issues. At Dynamic Garage Door, we also recommend ensuring that your hinges are tight and that they’re solid. If you find any cracks around your joints, or cracks around the welds, then you’ll need to call for repairs right away.
If your gate uses chains then you’ll have additional work
If you have a gate that’s driven by a chain slide then you will need to regularly oil your chain. Not doing so can lead to a lot of issues. It’s important that your chain is flexible. If you don’t oil your chain regularly, then it will get stuck eventually. This is both a short-term inconvenience and a long-term detriment to the quality of your gate.
The best plan is to start with a high-quality gate
The most important part of your plans should be to start off with a custom gate that’s made out of quality materials. You’ll get that when you work with Dynamic Garage Door. From ornamental gates to solid wood gates, we can do it all. We’ll create the exact gate you need to fit your home perfectly. Just give us a call at 855-343-3667 and let us start helping you create the gate of your dreams.
