Burlington's freeze-thaw winters, road salt and lake humidity are hard on gates. A little seasonal upkeep prevents most of the failures we get called out for. Here's the checklist we'd give a neighbour.
A Gate Maintenance Checklist for Burlington Homeowners
Work through this by season to keep your gate running and rust-free.
Spring
After the thaw
Wash off winter road-salt residue from gates, hinges, tracks and rollers
Check gate posts for frost heave or lean and note anything that shifted over winter
Clear the slide-gate track of grit and salt build-up; check rollers spin freely
Lubricate hinges, rollers and chains with the correct lubricant (not WD-40 as a lube)
Touch up chipped paint on iron gates before humidity restarts the rust
Summer
Peak humidity
Watch wooden gates for swelling/binding in the lake-humid months and ease as needed
Test automatic-gate safety: it should reverse when it meets an obstruction
Clean and align photo-eyes / edge sensors; wipe lenses clear
Check keypad and intercom weather seals before the wet season
Tighten any hardware that has worked loose with daily use
Fall
Before the freeze
Clear leaves and debris from tracks and swing paths
Re-lubricate moving parts so they don't seize in the cold
Check and replace operator battery back-up before outage season
Confirm gate closes and latches fully as temperatures drop
Book any needed repairs now — winter faults are harder and busier
Winter
Freeze-thaw & salt
Keep tracks and rollers clear of ice and packed snow
Don't force a frozen or straining gate — it damages the operator
Rinse salt spray off metal gates during thaws when you can
Watch for a gate that binds as posts heave — call before it jams
Keep the manual-release key accessible in case of a power outage
When to call a pro instead of DIY: if a gate is sagging, off its track, grinding, won't reverse on contact, or the posts have heaved, these need proper tools and know-how. Forcing them usually makes the repair bigger. Call (647) 932-4535.
Burlington · Halton · Hamilton
Rather Leave It to Us?
We offer maintenance visits and can service your gate before small issues become breakdowns.