Gates and burglar bars wear out in ordinary ways: hinges sag, tracks clog, locks stick and rust creeps in at the bottom rail. Security gate repairs are usually quicker and cheaper than a new gate, and a good repairer will say honestly when replacing is the better choice. Tell us what is wrong and where you are, and local fabricators and repairers quote directly.
Common faults and fixes
Most problems fall into a short list:
- Sagging or rubbing gate: worn or loose hinges, a bent frame or a loose wall fixing, corrected by new hinges or re-anchoring.
- Stiff sliding gate or trellis: dirt in the track, worn rollers or a bent bottom rail.
- Cracked weld: ground back and re-welded by a qualified welder.
- Rust: sanded, treated and repainted before it eats the steel.
See trellis doors if the lattice itself is damaged.
Locks that stick or fail
A sticking lock is often a dry cylinder, a gate that has dropped slightly, or a strike plate that no longer lines up. A locksmith can clean and lubricate a cylinder, adjust the strike or fit a new lock box, and cut keys. Do not force a key that will not turn, because a snapped key makes the repair dearer. Keep a spare key somewhere safe, and replace worn keys before they break in the lock. See security door locks for replacement options and keyed-alike sets. If you are locked out of your own gate, call a registered locksmith and be ready to show proof of ownership.
Rust, welding and painting
Surface rust at the foot of a gate is the first sign of trouble, because water collects there. A repairer will wire-brush back to clean steel, apply a rust converter or zinc primer, and recoat in two layers of enamel or paint. Welded repairs need clean steel and proper preparation, and should be left to someone with a welding machine and experience. If rust has eaten through the tube, that section must be replaced, which is a job for a professional. Near the sea, expect to repaint every two to three years. Ask the repairer to seal the foot of the gate where it meets the floor, because that is where rust restarts first, and to drill a small drain hole in hollow bottom rails so trapped water can escape.
Repair or replace?
Repair when the frame is straight, the steel is sound and the fault is a part. Replace when the frame is twisted, rust has spread widely or the gate is too light for the opening. Ask the repairer for a price for both. A new gate may cost three to six times more but comes with a guarantee. See security door installation for a replacement fitting, or security doors for new options.
What to include in your request
- What is wrong: sagging, sticking, rust, broken weld or lock
- Type of gate or door and its size in mm
- Photos of the damage if you can
- Whether the gate can be removed to a workshop
- Your location and how soon you need it done
Security Gate Repairs for different properties
- Houses: new hinges, a lock adjustment or rust treatment on the front and kitchen gates
- Townhouses and complexes: repairs in the approved colour, done without damaging common property
- Flats and apartments: a quick lock or hinge fix that keeps the passage clear
- Farms and smallholdings: on-site welding of heavy gates and sheds with travel costs included
- Shops and restaurants: fast call-out repairs so the shop can lock up the same day
- Offices and practices: lock and hinge repairs outside working hours
- Factories and warehouses: heavy gate and track repairs, often with a maintenance contract
- Schools, clinics and churches: planned repairs across many gates to a maintenance schedule
Frequently asked questions
How much do gate repairs cost?
Can burglar bars be taken off a window?
How long does a repair take?
Is a repair guaranteed?
Security Gate Repairs by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg