Driveway gates offer many benefits for your home or business. When you install driveway gates for your business or home, you will benefit from improved privacy, safety, increased property value, and a more beautiful curb appeal. To enjoy these benefits for years to come, you must recognize the most common driveway gate repair problems. By doing so, you will extend the life of your driveway gate and reap all its benefits.
Sensors operate the majority of driveway gates. However, these devices may fail to use even though they are highly convenient and reliable. Many reasons can cause driveway gates not to work, including dead batteries, cold weather, damaged photocells, dead remote batteries, power outages, being stuck in manual mode, signal interference, or something physically blocking the gate.
The following are the most common driveway gate sensor problems:
- Photocells.
Safety features prevent driveway gates from closing on cars, dogs, people, cattle, or anything blocking their path. On either side of the driveway gate, there are two photocells. Between them, an infrared beam shoots. Whenever the beam is broken, the driveway gate stops in motion. The driveway gate is programmed to open fully as soon as it stops. There are times when the driveway gate refuses to close because the beam is damaged. Make sure the photocells are working correctly.
- There is a power outage.
Power outages often blow fuses. It is also possible for a fuse to blow due to lightning. A power surge can follow an outage. Possibly, your driveway gate surged if it has blown its board and something smells burned. To prevent damage from surges, you can buy its protectors.
- A dead battery has prevented your remote from working.
A small red light appears when you press the button to open or close the driveway gate. The problem may be with the remote if your little red light does not illuminate. Batteries may need to be replaced, but remotes don’t last forever. If the remote device is dead, contact the driveway gate manufacturer or installer or research how to get a new one and reprogram it online.
- The safety edge is brushing against something.
There is a great deal of sensitivity at safety edges. Like photocells, they prevent the driveway gate from harming anything. Grass, weeds, blowing dirt, overhanging branches, and sticks can prevent driveway gates from opening.
- The driveway gate has been stuck in manual mode.
Make sure you check your manual. Some driveway gates switch to manual operation when their annual checkups are due.
- Tracks or rails are dirty, worn, or obstructed.
It is possible for debris, such as pieces of plastic, to blow onto the track, or even rocks, which can cause the mechanism to jerk and stop. Ensure the train and track are not broken, cracked, or worn.
- Weather with low temperatures.
The driveway gate will open more slowly or not at all in extreme cold. Most driveway gates are made of metal, which contracts in cold temperatures. As the grease thickens, the batteries become less effective. See if the driveway gate works when the weather warms up. Consider adapting your batteries and grease if you often have trouble with cold weather.
- Dead batteries on the driveway gate.
A gate may run on AC power, but it may still have batteries for small components like photocells or the safety edge transmitter. Check the information panel to see if any warning lights are blinking at you. Next, locate the batteries. Find out what voltage the battery needs, then check its voltage. You can get a voltmeter or multimeter from your local hardware store.
- There is dirt on the sensor lenses
Dirt, smudges, and cobwebs can accumulate on the photo-eye lenses of your gate. Keeping them clean is a good idea. You can use a lint-free cloth to wipe them down. Water on or around the photo-eye lenses can also cause them to malfunction. It is most likely to happen if your sensors are exposed to rain or sprinkler water. In this case, wait for the area to dry before opening the gate.
- The wiring seems to be faulty
Damaged wiring can cause driveway gate sensors to malfunction. There are several possible causes for this. Insects nesting inside sensors or rodents chewing through wires can sometimes damage wiring. You will likely need to replace some wiring if this happens.
- There is a misalignment of the sensors
It is easy for photo-eye sensors to become misaligned as they are delicate. Two sensors can’t detect each other if there is no clear path between them. A red flashing light indicates that your sensors are misaligned. You can fix this by realigning the sensors by hand and ensuring they face the same direction. It is usually as simple as tightening a screw or bracket.
Driveway Gate Sensor Replacement
Driveway Gate Sensor ReplacementA trained professional can fix most driveway gate sensor issues. However, driveway gate sensors sometimes fail due to everyday wear and tear. It’s best to replace the sensor entirely if this is the case, mainly if it’s been used for a decade or longer.
You can control the opening and closing of your driveway gate through your smartphone with some modern sensors that are Wi-Fi enabled. Upgrade to this model type if you want to take advantage of the latest technology. You can use these sensors to allow contractors, family members, and friends to access your property while you’re away. It is likely a good idea to replace your gate sensor with one that is Wi-Fi enabled.
Let Our Professional Team Help You With Your Driveway Sensor
If you’re experiencing sensor issues or any other problems with your driveway gate, the experts at One & Only Garage Door and Gate Repair can help. Our experienced technicians provide installation, garage door opener repair, electric gate repair, gate opener repair, and retrofit services on various residential gates, gate operators, gate access control units, and more.
Contact us today at (833) 210-3772 to learn more about our products and services or get a free quote.