Having an automatic gate opener is extremely convenient, as it saves your time, and you don’t have to leave your vehicle to open and close your gates. However, you still need to take good care of these gate openers to ensure their longevity. For example, did you know that you need to clean leaves from gate opener regularly in order to protect it from certain dangers?
Reasons Why Fallen Leaves Around Your Gate Opener Are Dangerous
Let’s take a minute to see how automatic gate openers work. They are powered by electrical motors, which means you don’t have to push or pull them manually. These gate openers also use sensors that can notice the car movements or even certain obstacles. Thanks to these sensors, a gate opener “knows” when it could open or close.
On the other side, the motor and the sensors won’t work properly if they get covered in debris. The most common type of debris covering gate opener’s motors and sensors are fallen leaves, especially when there are many trees in the area. Fallen leaves might seem harmless, but they can cause some serious issues with your gate opener:
1. Electrical Malfunctions
Fallen leaves are particularly dangerous for the electrical motors in gate openers as they trap moisture, and we all know that moisture doesn’t go well with electricity. Additionally, fallen leaves can block the motor ventilation, which can lead to motor overheating and potentially catching on fire.
2. Slippery Surfaces
Do you know how slippery it gets when leaves fall on the ground, and then the rain falls on top of those leaves? Now imagine that situation but with a gate opener. If you leave fallen leaves around your gate opener, and then the rain falls on them, the whole area will become extremely slippery. This can make your car slip when passing by the gate, which, in turn, can make you lose control of your car.
3. Rust and Corrosion
We already mentioned that fallen leaves often trap moisture, which is dangerous because of the electric motor. However, this trapped moisture can also cause rust and corrosion to appear on your gate and its opener. Both rust and corrosion will cause irreversible damage, which will then reduce the lifespan and efficiency of your gate opener.
4. Mechanical Obstruction
We also mentioned that gate openers have sensors that can detect movement and various obstacles. This is a crucial feature that allows the gate opener to close and open as it should, but it can also pose an issue when there are too many fallen leaves around the gate opener. First of all, the sensors might mistake those leaves for a more serious obstacle, and they will prevent the gate opener from opening or closing properly.
Additionally, these fallen leaves can actually become a real obstacle if they get stuck in hinges, gate gears, or other moving parts. The gate won’t be able to work as it should, and sometimes, it will stop working completely.
5. Fire Hazards
Even if there isn’t much rain during the fall season, the fallen leaves can still be a significant safety hazard. As these fallen leaves dry, they become highly flammable, especially if they are close to a source of heat - in this case, that source could be the electrical gate opener motor. Just one spark or even a short circuit can turn into a massive fire, endangering not just the gate area but your whole property.
More Fallen Leaves Dangers
Apart from these 5 biggest dangers, we'd like to mention some other potential safety hazards or issues arising from leaving fallen leaves around the gate opener. For example, leaving fallen leaves around your gat opener could attract various pests, such as mice, rats, insects, and even snakes.
It can also be a breeding ground for mold, mildew, and other allergens. Plus, as these leaves sit there and soak up the rainfall, they will start to decompose, which will cause some really nasty smells. Finally, in case of electric motor failure, you can still close and open the gate manually - but not if its gears and tracks are clogged with fallen leaves.
How To Clean Leaves From Gate Opener
Cleaning gate opener from fallen leaves might seem tedious, but it’s simpler than you might think, and it doesn’t take much time. If you have a leaf blower, you can use it to clean the whole gate area, but you can also do it with rakes or manually. Just don’t forget to collect the leaves into the trash bag so that they don’t fly away and end up somewhere else.
Once you have cleaned all visible leaves, carefully inspect the gate opener sensors and wipe them with a clean, dry, and soft cloth. Check the gate opener housing, especially around the motor. If you see any hidden leaves there, remove them. Additionally, look for anything that looks abnormal. This should be a part of your regular gate opener maintenance routine.
Prevention is also extremely important here. For instance, you can avoid planting trees in the immediate area around the gate opener. Additionally, buying a high-quality gate opener is another measure that can minimize potential dangers from fallen leaves. For example, take a look at this gate opener:
Electric Gate Opener with Remote Control
This gate opener is built to withstand any type of weather, including the rainy fall and snowy winter. It has a sturdy aluminum frame that keeps the motor safe from rust and corrosion. The motor turbine is made of pure copper, which reduces the chances of sparks and short circuits.
Conclusion
After reading this article, you are probably going to clean leaves from gate opener more frequently. Even though these fallen leaves can look inconspicuous, they can cause serious issues, damage to your gate, and even safety hazards. Cleaning your gate opener from fallen leaves takes just a few minutes. Yet, a regularly cleaned and well-maintained gate opener will last you for years, especially if you buy a high-quality one!
