How to Make a Driveway Gate Work

Manual Driveway Gates

• 1

  Loosen the two hinge bolts on the gate, and move the gate panel until it is level with the "string line" on both gate posts. Test the gate by opening and closing it.

• 2

  Apply lubrication to the hinges if the gate still does not work properly. To apply lubrication, place the nozzle of your grease gun over the fitting on the bottom of each gate hinge, then squeeze the gun handle and apply grease to the hinge.

• 3

  Contact your gate manufacturer if your gate still does not work, despite your efforts in the previous steps. Consult your gate's manual for contact information.

Automatic Driveway Gates

• 4

  Apply silicone spray to your driveway gate's push-pull bar if you are having trouble automatically opening or closing the gate. Apply the spray to the bar, then wipe it down with a soft, dry cloth. Test the gate after doing so.

• 5

  Use a grease gun on the gate's hinges, located on the side of the gate near the control box, if the gate still does not open. As with manual gates, you can shoot the grease gun into a fitting for it on each gate hinge.

• 6

  Turn your gate's control box off, then turn it back on and listen for any sounds it makes that may indicate a problem with the component. For example, on some models, if the control box beeps once 10 seconds after it has been turned on, the battery needs to be replaced. Read the control box's LED display for a visual indication of a problem. Consult your automatic gate's manual for information on error messages your control box displays.

• 7

  Contact your gate manufacturer if your gate still does not work, despite your efforts in the previous steps. Consult your gate's manual for contact information.