How Homeowners Can Prepare Their Electric Gate This Storm Season
If the weather predictions from Higgins Storm Chasing are to be believed, we could be in for an intense and unpredictable storm season this summer. Preparing your automated gate for storm season is one of the simplest ways to reduce weather-related strain, storm damage and unexpected breakdowns.
From sudden downpours and flash flooding to damaging winds and power outages, these conditions put huge pressure on gate motors, hinges, tracks and solar systems. With a few smart steps, you can help keep your gate operating safely and reliably throughout summer.
This guide explains how homeowners can prepare their gate for storm season — including tips for sliding gates, swing gates, solar-powered systems, and securing your gate during strong winds.
wHY STORM-PREPARING YOUR GATE MATTERS
High winds, torrential rain, debris, and power surges can cause:
- Gates being blown off tracks or hinges
- Motor burnout due to water entry or overload
- Short circuits or power supply failures
- Swelling or warping of materials
- Sensors malfunctioning or going out of alignment
- Solar systems losing charge
- Structural instability from softened ground
A well-maintained gate can withstand poor weather far better than one that’s been neglected. Preventative care is always cheaper — and safer — than post-storm repairs.
1. INSPECT THE GATE'S STRUCTURAL STABILITY
Do a quick visual inspection:
Check posts and footings
Look for:
- Leaning or wobbling posts
- Cracks around concrete footings
- Signs of movement after recent rain
Ground saturation can soften the soil and slowly shift your gate structure. If you notice any movement, this is a job for a professional — structural issues can lead to complete gate failure in strong winds.
Examine hinges, bolts, and brackets
Make sure nothing is:
- Rusted
- Damaged/ Bent
- Loose
- Missing
You can tighten minor hardware but avoid adjusting hinges or gate alignment yourself — incorrect adjustments can strain the motor and affect your limit settings.
2. CLEAR ALL DEBRIS AROUND THE GATE
Storms bring branches, leaves, dirt, and water. To reduce risk:
- Remove leaves and debris from sliding gate tracks
- Trim overhanging branches
- Ensure nothing is obstructing the path of swing gates
- Keep drainage lines clear around motor housings
Blocked tracks and obstructions are very common causes of motor strain and motor burnout during storms.
3. PROTECT THE GATE MOTOR FROM WATER
Motor housings are weather-resistant, but not invincible. To storm-prep your motor:
✔ Make sure the lid is sealed
A loose or cracked cover allows water to seep inside and destroy electronics.
✔ Check for ants or pests
Ants love warm motor boxes and can cause electrical shorts.
✔ Ensure proper drainage around the base
Water pooling around the motor can cause long-term corrosion and electrical damage.
✔ Never wrap the motor in plastic
This traps condensation and causes more damage than it prevents.
If your motor sits in a low-lying area, ask a technician whether raising it or adding a protective plinth is appropriate.
4. TEST SAFETY FEATURES AND SENSORS
Storms often knock sensors out of alignment. Before summer hits:
- Clean the sensor lenses
- Make sure both sides face each other correctly
- Check for flickering sensor lights (a sign they’re struggling)
- Ensure nothing has grown or been placed in front of them
Poorly aligned sensors can cause your gate to stop mid-cycle or refuse to close entirely.
5. PREPARE FOR POWER OUTAGES
Storms and summer blackouts often go hand-in-hand. Prepare by:
✔ Locating your manual release key
Every homeowner should know where it’s stored — and how to use it.
✔ Testing manual mode once a year
This ensures you know how to put your gate motor into manual mode, and it will work when you need it most.
✔ Considering a battery backup system
If your gate is the only pedestrian access to your property, a backup battery is essential. Battery back-up comes standard with all Centsys Gate motors!
hOW TO SECURE YOUR GATE FOR STRONG WIND
High-wind events are one of the biggest threats to residential gates, especially during summer storm season. Strong gusts can push against the gate, strain hinges and motors, force sliding gates off tracks, cause swing gates to slam uncontrollably, and twist/bend motor arms.
Taking a few precautionary steps before high winds arrive can make a major difference in preventing damage.
✔ Make sure the gate is fully closed and/or secured if you’re expecting strong winds
Generally, your gate is strongest when it’s in the closed position. A partially open gate acts like a sail and takes the full force of the wind. If a storm with strong winds is forecast, ensure the gate is closed well before the winds pick up. For swing gates, you might like to fasten them together with rope (or something similar) to give them extra strength against the wind.
If you have swing gates, you might find the safest position for them is open and tied off to a post or object so they cannot be blown open.
If you use makeshift tie-downs, you must ensure these are removed before automatically using your gate again.
sTORM-PREPARING FOR DIFFERNT TYPES OF GATES - sLIDING GATES, SWING GATES, SOLAR GATES
Sliding Gates: How to Storm-Prepare Them
Sliding gates are particularly vulnerable to debris and ground movement.
Key steps:
✔ Clean the track regularly during storm season
Small sticks, gravel, or soil build-up can cause the gate to jump the track or overload the motor.
✔ Check the guide rollers and end stops
Loose or worn rollers allow the gate to rattle, increasing wind vulnerability.
✔ Ensure the gate is level
Heavy rain can soften ground and create dips.
Leave levelling to a technician — incorrect alignment can damage the rack, motor, or wheels, and disrupt the limit settings.
Swing Gates: How to Storm-Prepare Them
Swing gates endure heavy wind load — especially wide or solid-panel gates.
Key steps:
✔ Check hinge condition
Any looseness amplifies wind force and can cause hinge pin failure.
✔ Ensure gates close firmly against their stops
Gaps create wind pressure points. Please avoid DIY hinge adjustments.
✔ Remove anything that could swing into the gate
Keep bins, furniture, and loose branches away from the gate line.
✔ Listen for strain in the motor arms
Clicking, jerking, or grinding often means an arm is under load and not operating correctly.
Solar Gates: How to Storm-Prepare Them
Solar systems need extra attention during stormy, overcast periods.
Key steps:
✔ Clean your panels before summer
Dust, pollen, and leaf matter reduce charge efficiency.
✔ Trim back any vegetation
More shade = slower charging.
✔ Check cable entry points
Water entry is the number one cause of solar automation failure.
✔ Ensure your battery is healthy
If your gate slows after cloudy days, the battery may be ageing or too small to run your system efficiently. If you’re running a 60watt panel with 33ah battery, it should be 7-10 days before your battery flattens without charging due to poor weather conditions.
AFTER A STORM:
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO for your gate?
Once the weather clears:
- Walk the gate line and check for new obstructions
- If you have used makeshift tie-downs, remove them.
- Confirm the gate opens and closes smoothly
- Listen for grinding, clicking, or squealing
- Check motor housing for water entry
- Realign sensors if needed
- Inspect the track or hinges for movement
If something feels off, stop using the gate and arrange a service. Using a gate with hidden storm damage can cause further damage and burn out the motor.
Call a qualified gate technician if you notice:
- Gate leaning or sagging
- Motor running slower than usual, or not functioning at all
- Gate stopping or reversing mid-cycle
- Burnt smell or water inside the housing
- Grinding or scraping noises
- Gate jumping off the track
- Heavy or uneven movement in manual mode
Storm damage often starts small and gets worse with use — fast intervention prevents expensive repairs.
If you’re unsure whether your gate is ready for summer storms, or your gate has taken a hit after recent wild weather, we’re here to help. Call us to book a professional service and make sure your gate stays safe, stable, and running smoothly.
PH: 0406 317 800
E: info@automaticentryspecialists.com.au
This article is intended to provide general guidance for maintaining basic gate safety and functionality. It is not a substitute for professional advice or service.
Any electrical work, structural adjustments, or automation repairs should always be performed by a qualified technician.
final thoughts: a little prevention saves a lot of repair bills...
Storm-preparing your gate doesn’t mean doing complicated DIY maintenance. A few simple checks — clearing debris, protecting the motor housing, inspecting posts, and securing the gate during strong winds — can dramatically reduce the risk of breakdowns throughout the summer storm season
For anything electrical, structural, or beyond basic cleaning, always call a professional. A well-timed pre-summer service gives your gate the best chance of surviving storms safely, reliably, and without unexpected repair costs.