Electric swing gates usually go wrong in one of three ways: the gate leaves drop or bind on their hinges, the motors or their mountings wear out, or the safety and control side stops working. We can send a local gate engineer in Liverpool to repair single and double swing gates driven by ram, articulated arm and underground motors.
Swing gates are the most common type of electric gate on homes across Merseyside, so this is the page to read if your driveway gates open outwards or inwards on hinges.
The three motor types on swing gates
Ram motors are mounted between the post and the gate and push the leaf open and closed. They are tidy, reliable and suit most driveway gates where the hinge is close to the front of the post.
Articulated arm motors are fixed to the face of the post and drive the gate through a jointed arm. They are useful when posts are thick, such as brick piers, and the hinge is set back.
Underground motors sit in a foundation box below each hinge and turn the gate from underneath. They are almost invisible, but they rely on good drainage and are more involved to repair. For motor-specific faults, see gate motor repair.
Common swing gate problems
| Problem | Typical cause |
|---|---|
| Leaves don't meet in the middle | Gate dropped on hinges, post moved, limit settings drifted |
| Gate scrapes the ground | Worn hinges, sagging leaf, driveway surface raised |
| Gate bounces when closing | Missing or worn gate stop, incorrect slowdown setting |
| One leaf slower than the other | Worn motor, binding hinge, mismatched replacement motor |
| Gate blows open in wind | Motor not locking, missing electric lock, worn gears |
| Ram bracket loose | Fixings corroded or pulled from post |
Hinges, posts and gate stops
The motor gets most of the attention, but swing gate faults often start with the gate itself. Heavy wrought iron or timber-clad leaves pull on the hinges over time, and if a brick pier cracks or a steel post leans, the leaf drops. A dropped gate drags, the motor strains, the board senses extra resistance and the gate reverses. Re-hanging the gate, renewing hinges or fixing posts often solves what looks like an electrical fault.
Gate stops, both in the centre and at the open position, matter too. Without a solid stop the motor's limits do all the work and the gate can over-travel or bounce.
Signs you need a swing gate repair
- A visible gap between the leaves when closed, or leaves overlapping.
- Scrape marks on the drive.
- Rust staining or cracking around hinge and bracket fixings.
- Gate moves when pushed even though the motor should be holding it.
- Water standing in underground motor boxes.
- Remote or keypad works but only one gate opens.
How a swing gate repair is done
- Isolate the power and release both motors.
- Swing each leaf by hand to check hinges, posts and stops.
- Inspect motor brackets, fixings and, for underground motors, the box, drainage and lever arms.
- Carry out mechanical repairs first: re-hang, re-fix or replace hinges and brackets.
- Repair or replace the motor or board if needed.
- Reset open and close limits, leaf delay and force, then test photocells and any safety edges.
Safety on swing gates
Swing gates create crushing points at the hinge side and at the closing edges, and a sweeping zone where the leaf passes. Children and pets are most at risk, because they are small enough to be missed by a single photocell and may not move out of the way. Engineers check that photocells cover the swing area, that force settings allow the gate to stop on contact, and that hinge-side gaps are not a finger trap. An electric gate safety check covers this in full, including force testing.
Cost factors for swing gate repairs
- Single or double leaf, and the weight and material of the gates.
- Ram, arm or underground motors, as underground repairs involve more labour.
- Whether posts or piers need repairing.
- Parts required and whether they are in stock.
- Timing of the call-out.
You'll get a price before work begins.
Swing gates on Merseyside driveways
Double swing gates on brick piers are a familiar sight on larger homes in south Liverpool, Sefton and the Wirral. Damp winters loosen hinge fixings and rot timber gates, while steel gates nearer the coast corrode faster. Brick piers built before the gates were automated were not always designed for the extra load of a motor, so cracking around the hinge pins is worth watching for. If you are thinking about adding a motor to existing manual gates, see gate automation. The electric gate repair hub covers sliding gates and commercial systems, and we cover garage door repair Liverpool jobs too.
Frequently asked questions
Why don't my electric gates meet in the middle any more?
Usually one or both leaves have dropped on their hinges, a post has moved, or the motor limits have drifted. The engineer will check the mechanical side first before adjusting the motors.
Which is better: ram, arm or underground motors?
Each suits different situations. Rams work well on most domestic gates, articulated arms suit wide brick piers, and underground motors suit people who want the motors hidden, provided drainage is good.
Can inward-opening gates be converted to open outwards?
Sometimes, depending on the slope, the space in front of the gate and the motors. Gates should not open over a public footpath or road, which often rules it out.
My gate swings open in strong wind. Is that a fault?
It can be. Some motors are not self-locking and rely on an electric lock to hold the gate shut. Worn gears can also let the gate move. An engineer can check and add a lock if needed.
Do you work on timber and wrought iron gates?
Yes. Engineers we work with handle automation on timber, steel and aluminium gates, though very heavy or rotten gates may need repair before the motors can work properly.