Before anything else is said, I would like to start with this. I am a Houston native, and in my six decades on this planet, I have lived through several hurricanes and the aftermath. I am genuinely sorry for what just happened. If you need to read this, you have my deepest sympathy and prayers for a swift and total recovery. Unfortunately, many will rush to exploit this event. I am sharing this info to help you quickly decide about the appliance. So, you'll be able to move on to your other projects that you are undoubtedly faced with at this time.

First, the bad news. If your gate opener was completely submerged in saltwater the long-term prognosis is not good. Electrical connections, electronic control boards, and AC and DC-powered motors will corrode from the salt and other debris that got into these. Think of it like a simpler version of a flooded car. The system is less complex, but the effects are the same. If you want to throw a Hail Mary at it, the steps below can help you do that. The tips I share tend to work better IMMEDIATELY after the flood and on the larger, more commercial-grade gate openers that are bolted to the ground because you can wash them and clean them easier than a smaller actuator type motor that would have to be disassembled. Also, remember that if you have a gear reducer style opener that was full of oil, it is now full of oil and salt water.

Below, I have shared the best ways I know to clean the rest. If you have an unscrupulous contractor telling you to change it out for some outrageously huge number, please use our website to fact-check their pricing. We wholesale to the public for the same prices the contractors pay. Adding a reasonable amount for labor to install it should get you a ballpark idea of what an installed unit could cost. In Houston, $600 is a fair labor charge to replace a single gate opener and about $1100 for a dual replacement. For example, if you see a Viking G5 gate opener kit listed on our website for $1745 plus tax, then adding $600 to that is a fair ballpark. Please remember we are here to help. If you have questions, feel free to call us. We know how to pick apart an unscrupulous contractor vs. a legitimate one. WE ARE YOUR ALLY IN THIS!

What To For In Your Gate Opener After A Hurricane

Now, let’s get started helping you save what you already own if that’s the route you want to take first!

Our Hurricane Preparation article listed a few good steps to protect your access control and gate automation equipment before a storm’s arrival. If you followed any of these, then some of what I am going to go over here will not apply to your equipment. A few good days of drying time to ensure there is no moisture in your equipment will hopefully allow you to plug everything back in, turn it on, and go back to normal.

If you did not see that, then for a worst-case scenario, let’s go over a few steps that may help save your automation equipment now. First, there is no information here on fixing electronic parts that shorted out or were burned due to being powered and shorted out from wind-driven water or, worse, rising water that submerged your equipment. As painful as it is to hear, parts or the entire unit will need to be replaced. HOWEVER, if your power failed before water encroached and has not come back on yet, take heed. There is hope still!

First, shut off any breakers that power your equipment. You do not want power coming back unexpectedly. Keep your equipment's power OFF until you fix any issues. This could prevent damage to any working equipment.

Second, open and remove all the covers on anything that got wet. That includes KEYPADS, GATE OPENERS, INFRARED SAFETY BEAMS...anything and everything that is powered even by batteries. Carefully inspect items above flood levels for moisture driven by wind, splashing, waves, etc.

TAKE PICTURES OF WIRING before you undo anything for an easy reference where to hook things back up later.

RISING WATERS

If you know your opener went underwater, then EVERY part, terminal, motor, control board, etc., must be thoroughly flushed. Additionally, it may be necessary to use a soft to medium bristle brush to remove debris, dirt, etc. GENTLY. I have even seen people put all their electronics in a dishwasher on a gentle cycle with no soap to clean them. I cannot recommend that, but at this point, any damage to anything is no longer covered by warranty, so you have nothing to lose. However, I think I could clean my electronics without such drastic measures. Remember, no matter how water-damaged your equipment is, this is not a manufacturer defect and is not covered. Motor windings, DC motors, and wiring terminal ends ALL need to be clean and free of contaminants. Fresh, clean water will dry thoroughly, but mud, grime, etc., will hold moisture later and cause problems down the road. This will occur even if they fire back up and appear to work fine now... for the same reasons; flooded cars have issues later even if they run fine and drive now.

New Parts May Be Your Friend

You may want to price new parts before going to the extreme of saving some inexpensive parts. It's hard to justify hours spent cleaning small parts. They may only be worth a few hundred dollars to replace. New parts come with warranties and are more dependable. These include remote control radio receivers, loop detectors, exit sensors, main control boards, and motors. It is a lot of work to disassemble an AC motor, clean, dry, and reassemble it. Using pressured water down the cooling ports will not even come close to cleaning out all the mud and debris. It will not affect the dirt and debris that soaked into the bearings, windings, brushes, and wiring connections.

Don’t Forget To Check Your Electrical Connections

After you have cleaned, inspected, dried, and reassembled all the parts you cleaned or replaced, check other places. Make sure they are not full of water. These include the conduit that supplies power to your equipment. Open conduit can and will fill with water. Switches, fuse holders, and other items built into your opener power supplies can and should all be cleaned out with fresh water, dried as much as possible with compressed air (if you have access to it), or left open to dry naturally.

Finally, when you are sure you have done all you can (or are willing to do) to clean, dry, and reassemble, have someone turn the power back on when it becomes available. At the same time, you stand by the unit to listen and watch for anything unusual.

Gate Openers Direct Is He To Help

I have lived on the Gulf Coast and am no stranger to storms and the damage they cause. I hope these tips and tricks to save existing equipment help. If you need parts or replacement openers, call us! We sell at wholesale prices. We'll help you replace your lost items with new, high-quality, USA-made products or those from USA-owned companies.