Whenever an electric gate slips off its track, it creates a serious nuisance issue. All traffic entering and exiting your access control area stops. That can lead to a lot of car buildup around a downtown apartment complex or missed deliveries of crucial goods for your Hollywood business.
Learning what to do if your electric gate is off track in Los Angeles helps troubleshoot the issue before calling for electric gate repair. There are some basic steps you can take that our team at Gates & Garage Door Express recommends doing first, then calling us to see if there are any other issues.
Why Electric Gates in Los Angeles Go Off Track
Believe it or not, electric gates slipping off track happens all the time in LA. This could be from simple wear and tear, or other issues like:
- Excessive heat in the summer warps the track or guide rollers
- Debris from heavy winds and rains, like leaves, mud, gravel, and water
- Worn or broken rollers from an older property
- Loose mounting hardware that gets worse after a mild earthquake
We help by coming to your Los Angeles home or business property. However, we do offer some advice on what you can do on your own.
Visually Inspect the Electric Gate Track and Rollers
First, shut down the power to your electric gate. You don’t want to be trying to fix the problem and suddenly have the system switch on while you’re around the track. You should also make sure no children or pets are wandering around the gate.
While keeping a safe distance, walk along the gate’s track and look for any visible bends, warping, cracks, or debris like rocks and branches. Check for wear, breakage, or slippage at the guide. If you can safely remove debris, you’re in good shape to test it again.
Check for Uneven or Hanging Sections in Your LA Electric Gate
Plenty of electric gate repairs in Los Angeles begin when the gate pulls away from the guide rail. That is usually because the mounting brackets or bolts are loose, causing the gate to hang to one side or the other.
In this situation, do not try to lift the gate physically. Realigning by picking up part of the gate is going to hurt your back and likely will cause more damage. When you know what the problem is, you can give us a call so we can bring the right tools, parts, and lubricants to get the job done even faster.
Test Your Electric Gate’s Manual Movement
Most LA electric gates come with user manuals. Inside these booklets, there is a process for “manual” control. You can switch the system to manual and try to move the gate yourself. If it resists movement or you hear loud scraping or grinding, you likely have a structural or mechanical issue.
Should I force the gate back into place? Never force your electric gate open or closed. That will damage the system. We understand how important it is to protect your property. When learning what to do when your electric gate is off track in Los Angeles, it’s best to:
- Turn off the system from any power source
- Check for debris, warping, or worn wheels
- Try to clear the area, then test the gate
- Call our team for professional help
A DIY repair often leads to additional damage and more expensive repairs. It’s best to leave this to the experts who know how to operate within warranty conditions and insurance instructions.
When to Call for Electric Gate Track Repair in Los Angeles
Whenever you find bent tracks or broken rollers in your electric gate, call in the experts. Off-track gates require way more precision realignment and proper tensioning than most owners have the time, tools, or experience to perform.
With Gates & Garage Door Express, we can safely realign your Los Angeles electric gate without damaging the motor. We offer the long-term reliability you need for peace of mind that your electric gate will operate when you need it to. Our team works on residential, commercial, private, and specialty gate materials.
Give us a call today at (818) 873-7687 and let us get your electric gate back up and on track in no time.
