How To Maintain Your Driveway Gate

If you have had your driveway gate for a number of years, you’ll probably have noticed that it is susceptible to weathering. Having your gates open to the elements can affect their appearance as well as shortening their life. There are, however, some simple steps that you can take to prolong the life and improve the appearance of your gates. Here are some top tips to ensure the longevity of your driveway gate.

Visually Inspecting Your Gate

You should aim to look over your gate around once a month, looking out for signs of wear and tear, such as of rust or dirt that may have accumulated. We wouldn’t recommend trying to clean any electronic or mechanical components as you don’t want to damage the mechanisms, however, it may be worth speaking to a professional to ensure that these elements are well-maintained.

Rust on Metal Gates

If you notice that rust is starting to build-up on your metal gate, there’s no need to panic. There are a vast array of rust neutralising products available on the market. Before using these products you should check the manufacturer’s guide to ensure that the product is suitable for your driveway gate. Cleaning couldn’t be simpler; simply dip a wire brush into the cleaning solution and scrub away the rust on the gate in a circular motion.

Rotting Wooden Gates

While rust is primarily caused by exposure to moisture, rot on wooden gates is typically a result of exposure to long durations of extremely hot and dry weather. This will have been a particular issue following on from the severe heat of the summer just gone, especially since we went almost 2 months without rainfall. Wet rot is usually the result of wood that has worn away, which then leads to water entering the wood, leading to wet rot. Unfortunately, treating rot is not always an easy task, there are plenty of rot hardening solutions available, however, we would suggest getting in contact with the supplier/installer of your driveway gate to come and take a look.

Regularly Clean Your Gate

The best practice to ensure the longevity of your driveway gate is to regularly clean and maintain them. If you have a wrought iron gate, we’d suggest using a mixture of soap and water and then using a small brush to clean the gate. Once applied, it’s best to dry the gate by hand, however, you can leave it to dry in the sun, providing that the soap bubbles have washed away. When it comes to cleaning timber gates, there are an array of cleaning solutions available on the market, be sure to do research in order to find the best solution for your gate. We’d suggest setting aside one day a month to clean your gate, this makes it much easier to pick up on any issues that may have arisen as it’s better to spot rust or rot sooner rather than later.

Speak To Our Experts

If you are in need of a professional to take a look at your driveway gate or potentially replace or automate your existing gate, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Vale Automation today. You can call our friendly team on 01949 20423 or fill out a contact form.