Automatic Gate Repair & Installation
Slide and swing gate operator repair, installation, and structural gate work throughout the Houston Metro area. From LiftMaster openers and access control to welding and off-track repairs – we service the whole gate.
Gate Repair Covers Two Different Jobs
When a gate stops working, the problem is almost always one of two things: the automatic operator that moves the gate, or the physical gate itself. They're completely different repairs, and most companies only handle one side of it.
The operator is the motorized equipment – the control board, safety photo eyes, edge sensors, loop detectors, limit switches, batteries, and access control. This is the LiftMaster side, and it's where most service calls land. The gate is the swinging or sliding structure – hinges, rollers, posts, panels, and welds. We service both, which means one call solves the problem instead of two.
Gate Systems We Service
Swing Gates
Single and dual swing gates driven by arm or hinge-post operators like the LiftMaster LA500 and LA400. Common on residential driveways and side entrances.
Swing Gate Repair →Slide Gates
Rolling gates on a track, driven by slide operators such as the LiftMaster SL3000 and RSL series. Common on commercial lots, fleet yards, and wider residential entries.
Slide Gate Repair →Commercial & Access Control
Heavy-duty operators, barrier gates, maglocks, keypads, loop detectors, and telephone entry for apartments, businesses, and gated communities.
Commercial Gate Service →Common Gate Problems We Fix
Operator & Electronics
Most gate failures are electronic, not mechanical. A gate that opens but won't close, beeps, or reverses unexpectedly usually points to a safety sensor, a failing control board, or a dead backup battery.
We diagnose and repair the full operator system and bring it back to UL 325 safety compliance – not just patch the symptom.
Typical Operator Issues
- Won't close: photo eye or safety edge
- No response: control board or power
- Opens slow / stalls: battery or motor
- Random reversing: loop or sensor fault
We carry common LiftMaster boards, eyes, and edges.
Typical Gate & Structural Issues
- Sagging gate: worn hinges or frame
- Off the track: bent or worn rollers
- Cracked welds: joint fatigue
- Dragging / binding: alignment
Our fabrication shop handles weld and structural repairs in-house.
Physical Gate & Welding
A perfectly good operator can't move a gate that's sagging, dragging, or off its track. Worn hinges and rollers force the motor to overwork, which is how a structural problem turns into an operator failure.
Because we have a welding and fabrication shop, we can repair hinges, correct sag, replace rollers, and reinforce gate frames – work most gate companies have to subcontract out.
Why Call Preferred Doors for Gates
Authorized LiftMaster Dealer
As an authorized LiftMaster dealer – one of only a handful in the Houston Metro – we install and service the full operator line, from residential LA500 and LA400 swing systems to heavy commercial slide operators, including maglocks and access control.
In-House Welding
Our fabrication shop handles hinge, weld, and structural repairs on site instead of subcontracting them, so the operator and the gate are serviced by one crew.
UL 325 Safety
Automatic gates carry real entrapment risk. We repair to current UL 325 standards with properly configured photo eyes and safety edges – not bypassed sensors.
Our Gate Services
Residential Gate Openers
LiftMaster LA500 and LA400 swing operator repair and installation, remotes, keypads, and maglocks for home driveways.
Commercial Gate Operators
Heavy-duty slide and swing operator service for businesses, apartments, and gated communities, including loop detectors and access control.
Swing Gate Repair
Repair for swing gates that sag, drag, won't close, or reverse, covering both the operator and the gate hardware.
Slide Gate Repair
Track, roller, and operator repair for rolling gates that bind, stall, or come off the track on residential and commercial sites.
Gate Welding & Repair
In-house welding for broken hinges, cracked joints, sagging frames, and reinforcement on steel and iron gates.
Gate Installation
New automatic gate operator installation with safety sensors, access control, and proper UL 325 setup from the start.
Shop Gate Parts Online
Handling the repair yourself? Shop gate operators, remotes, photo eyes, edge sensors, and access control hardware in our online store.
Shop Now →When to Call for Gate Service
Signs You Need Service:
- ✓Gate opens but won't close
- ✓Gate is slow, stalling, or reversing
- ✓No response from remote or keypad
- ✓Gate is sagging, dragging, or off-track
- ✓Grinding, binding, or noisy operation
- ✓Adding access control or maglocks
Who We Serve:
- →Homeowners – driveway swing and slide gates
- →Businesses – lots, yards, and loading areas
- →Property managers – apartments and complexes
- →HOAs – gated community entrances
- →Builders – new gate installations
Serving Houston Since 1995
Preferred Doors has served the Houston Metro area since 1995. We bring that same trained, professional approach to automatic gates – from LiftMaster operator repair and access control to the welding and structural work that keeps a gate moving.
Because we handle both the operator and the gate itself, one visit covers what usually takes two companies.
What You Get:
- ✓Authorized LiftMaster dealer – one of only a handful in the Houston Metro
- ✓Trained technicians on LiftMaster gate operators
- ✓In-house welding and structural gate repair
- ✓UL 325 safety-compliant repairs
- ✓Upfront pricing with no hidden fees
Frequently Asked Questions
My gate opens but won't close. What's wrong?
This is almost always a safety device. Automatic gates use photo eyes and safety edges that stop the gate from closing on a person or vehicle. A dirty, misaligned, or failed sensor tells the operator it isn't safe to close, so the gate stays open. We test and correct the safety circuit and verify it meets UL 325 standards.
Do you repair the gate itself or just the opener?
Both. We service the automatic operator and its electronics, and because we run a welding and fabrication shop, we also repair the physical gate – sagging frames, broken hinges, worn rollers, and cracked welds. Many gate problems are mechanical, and fixing the gate is what keeps the operator from failing again.
What brands of gate operators do you work on?
We are an authorized LiftMaster dealer and specialize in LiftMaster gate operators, from residential LA500 and LA400 swing systems to heavy commercial slide operators. We also service common access control hardware including keypads, maglocks, loop detectors, and telephone entry.
Is my gate safe if the safety sensors are bypassed?
No. Automatic gates carry serious entrapment risk, which is why UL 325 requires functioning secondary protection like photo eyes or safety edges. We don't bypass safety devices to get a gate running – we repair them properly so the gate is both working and code-compliant.
Do you service residential and commercial gates?
Yes. We work on residential driveway gates as well as commercial and multi-family installations for businesses, apartments, HOAs, and gated communities throughout the Houston Metro area.
Need Gate Repair or Installation?
Get a free quote on automatic gate repair, operator installation, or welding work. Serving the Houston Metro area.