Garage doors and electric gates are key to the safety, security, and convenience of your property. Whether it’s a roller garage door, a sectional design, or an automated swing gate, regular servicing is crucial to keeping it operating safely and efficiently.
In this article, we’ll explain how often you should service your garage door or electric gate, why regular maintenance matters, and what’s involved in a typical service – with a focus on Plymouth, Ivybridge, and the wider Devon and Cornwall area.
Why Regular Servicing Matters
Garage doors and electric gates are mechanical systems with moving parts, motors, safety sensors, and control boards. Just like your boiler or car, they benefit from routine check-ups to avoid unexpected failures or costly repairs.
Regular servicing helps to:
- Prevent breakdowns and costly callouts
- Extend the lifespan of your door or gate
- Maintain safety for people, pets, and vehicles
- Ensure compliance with UK safety regulations (especially for commercial premises)
- Keep automation systems running smoothly in all seasons
At Divine Door & Gate Automation, we see time and again how a low-cost, proactive service can avoid more expensive issues later.
How Often Should You Service a Garage Door?
Most manufacturers and professional installers, including us, recommend that garage doors should be serviced at least once a year.
However, you may need more frequent checks if:
- You use the door multiple times a day (e.g. business or shared residential access)
- The door is older or has not been regularly maintained
- Your door has been recently repaired or upgraded with automation
- You live in a coastal area like Plymouth or Saltash, where salt air can cause wear
Annual garage door servicing includes:
- Lubricating hinges, rollers, and tracks
- Checking springs and counterbalance mechanisms
- Testing automation motors and remotes
- Inspecting seals and panels for wear or weather damage
- Adjusting alignment and door balance
- Safety testing for electric doors
Our garage door servicing in Plymouth is suitable for roller, sectional, up-and-over, and electric garage doors.
How Often Should You Service an Electric Gate?
Electric gates typically require a service every 6 to 12 months, depending on how often they’re used and the type of system installed.
As a rule of thumb:
- Domestic electric gates – every 12 months
- High-traffic or commercial gates – every 6 months
- Older systems or exposed locations – may require more frequent checks
Neglecting regular servicing of automated gates can lead to:
- Motor burnout or control board failure
- Jammed or misaligned gate arms
- Worn or broken hinges and tracks
- Safety sensor failure, risking injury or damage
A standard electric gate service from Divine includes:
- Cleaning and lubricating motor arms and moving parts
- Electrical and motor testing
- Remote and access control testing
- Safety edge and photocell checks
- Physical gate inspection (hinges, posts, welds)
We also offer emergency repairs for electric gates in Tavistock, Exeter, Ivybridge, and across South Devon.
Signs Your Garage Door or Gate Needs Immediate Attention
Even if it’s not time for your annual service yet, the following signs indicate it’s time to call a professional:
- The door or gate is noisy, grinding, or struggling to open
- It won’t close fully or stops partway
- The remote control isn’t working consistently
- There are visible dents, cracks, or rust
- The safety sensors don’t respond properly
- The gate doesn’t lock securely
- You notice a burning smell or electrical noise from the motor
Don’t delay – unresolved faults can quickly escalate into larger issues or safety hazards.
What’s Included in a Professional Service?
Divine Door & Gate Automation proudly provides gate automation in Devon and Cornwall, offering trusted gate When you book a garage door or gate service with Divine Door & Gate Automation, our experienced engineers will carry out a thorough inspection and tune-up, including:
Garage Doors:
- Manual and automated models
- Visual inspection of springs, cables, rollers, and panels
- Track alignment and balance adjustment
- Motor and remote functionality checks
- Lubrication of all moving parts
- Safety and obstacle detection tests
Electric Gates:
- Swing, sliding, and underground systems
- Control board diagnostics
- Safety edge and sensor testing
- Lubrication and cleaning of mechanical components
- Structural checks of posts, welds, and fixings
- Programming adjustments (if needed)
We always explain any issues found and provide honest recommendations – no upselling, no pressure.
Local Expertise You Can Trust
Divine Door & Gate Automation proudly provides gate automation in Devon and Cornwall, offering trusted gate Divine Door & Gate Automation is a family-run business based in Ivybridge, serving customers across Plymouth, Tavistock, Exeter, Saltash, and Cornwall. We’ve been in the industry for over 20 years, with a strong reputation for honest advice, high-quality workmanship, and dependable aftercare.
Trust signals:
- Fully insured and compliant with UK safety regulations
- All work completed by our own team (no subcontractors)
- Real local reviews on Google and Checkatrade
- Installers of Roger Technology gate automation systems
Trusted supplier of UK Doors Midlands Ltd garage doors
Ready to Book Your Service?
Don’t wait for something to break. Preventative maintenance is always better value than emergency repairs. If it’s been 12 months or more since your last garage door or electric gate service, it’s time to get booked in.
Call us on 01752 741611 or email info@divinedoorsandgates.co.uk
You can also book a service online
We’ll arrange a convenient time, carry out a full service, and help keep your property safe and secure – with no fuss.