Frequently Asked Questions

We start by looking at the whole system: gate wheels, track, hinges, operator, safety sensors, and the ground the gate rolls or swings over. Then we explain what failed and what it will take to fix it, with a firm price. Once you approve, we do the repair, test the gate through several full cycles, and make sure the safety loops and reverse function work. We leave the work area clean. Most Fontana repairs take 60 to 90 minutes.

Most common repairs, like a bad photo eye, a stripped gear, or a misaligned track, take under two hours. If we need a part that isn't on the truck, we order it and return within a few days. Circuit boards for older DoorKing or Elite models sometimes need to come from a supplier, which adds two to three business days. We'll tell you the timeline before we start so you know whether to plan around it.

If your call comes in before mid-afternoon on a day we're open, we can often get to same-day repairs in Fontana, Colton, and Grand Terrace. It depends on how the schedule is running that day, but we keep room for urgent calls. The best way to find out is to call (844) 703-6053 and describe what the gate is doing. A live coordinator will connect you with the local team and tell you honestly whether we can get out today or tomorrow.

We repair sliding gates, swing gates, cantilever gates, and light pedestrian gates. We work on iron, steel, aluminum, wood, and chain-link. In Jurupa Valley we see a lot of heavy iron driveway gates, and in Rubidoux there are plenty of tube-steel gates on sloped driveways. We handle all of it. If your gate is on rails, on hinges, or hanging from a track, we can diagnose it.

We install new gates and new operators, not just repairs. If your existing gate is past the point of being worth fixing, we'll tell you straight. We quote a new gate with the right operator for the weight and cycle count it will see, and we handle the full install: posts, hinges, motor, safety edges, and programming. A free measure is the right first step. Call (844) 703-6053 to schedule one.

Check for obstruction across the track or under the gate. Check that the operator has power at the outlet. Look at the photo eyes, usually two small sensors near the bottom on each side of the opening, and make sure they're aligned and not blocked by leaves or spider webs. Here in Fontana, dust and wind-blown debris build up on sensor lenses more than people expect. If those basics are fine, the problem is mechanical or electronic, and that's what we're here for. Call (844) 703-6053.

You can handle small things: clearing debris from the track, hosing dust off the sensor lenses, tightening a loose bolt on a hinge. But the inside of a gate operator contains capacitors that hold a charge even when unplugged, and the motor, chain, and torque limiter are dangerous to work around if you're not trained. A gate is heavy, and a spring or chain under tension can do real harm. We'd rather see you call us. The free estimate is cheaper than an emergency room visit, and we've been doing this in Fontana since 2014.

We repair DoorKing, LiftMaster, Elite, and Mighty Mule operators regularly. DoorKing and Elite are common on older Fontana properties, especially in the neighborhoods built in the 1990s and early 2000s. LiftMaster is what we see on newer installs in Bloomington and Rialto. Mighty Mule shows up on lighter residential gates. If you have another brand, call (844) 703-6053 and tell us the model number, and we'll let you know what we can do.

We keep common parts on the truck: photo eyes, limit switches, remotes, receivers, capacitors, and gears for DoorKing and LiftMaster operators. For older Elite or discontinued models, we can usually source the part within a few business days. We don't want you to pay for a full new operator when the fix is a $40 part, and we'll always show you the old part and explain what failed before we put the new one in.

If the operator is under eight years old and the repair is under $400, repair usually makes sense. If the motor is 15 years old, capacitors are failing, and replacement parts are getting scarce, we'll tell you that replacement is the smarter long-term choice. We see this a lot with older DoorKing units in Fontana and Sunnyslope. We'll give you both numbers, repair and replace, and let you decide. No pressure, just the math.

Yes. If you've lost a remote or bought a new one, we can program it to your operator. Same with wireless keypads. We also clear old codes from the system so a former tenant or contractor can't open your gate. That's a short visit, usually under 30 minutes. Call (844) 703-6053 and we'll slot you in.

Every pro working under our name is required to hold the license and insurance their state requires for gate and access work. We're also insured and bonded, and we're happy to show proof before we start. We've served Fontana, Bloomington, Rialto, and the rest of the Inland Empire since 2014, and carrying proper credentials has always been part of how we operate. If you want documentation, just ask when you call (844) 703-6053.

For most repairs, no permit is needed. Replacing a motor, a circuit board, a wheel, or a remote does not require a city permit in Fontana. If you're installing a brand new gate and operator, especially one with a concrete pad and new electrical run, a permit may be required depending on the scope. We'll tell you if your job falls into that category before we start, and we don't cut corners on code requirements.

It depends on what caused the damage. If a vehicle hit the gate, the driver's auto insurance should cover it. If wind or a fallen branch damaged it, your homeowner's policy may cover repairs, minus your deductible. Normal wear and tear, like a burned-out motor or a stripped gear, is not covered by insurance. We can provide a written diagnosis and quote you can submit to your insurer. Call (844) 703-6053 and we'll walk you through what to send them.

A gate stuck open is a security problem, and we treat it as a priority. If your gate won't close in Fontana, Muscoy, or Glen Avon, call (844) 703-6053 and tell us it's stuck open. We'll do our best to get to you the same day if we're open. In the meantime, you can manually close most gates by pulling the release handle, usually a red lever or knob on the operator. If you're not comfortable doing that, leave it and we'll handle it when we arrive.

First, pull the manual release handle on the operator. It's usually a red lever or a small knob on the side of the motor box. That disengages the motor from the gate so you can push it open by hand. Gates are heavy, so push from the end, not the middle, and use your legs. If the gate still won't budge, the problem is mechanical, not the motor. Call (844) 703-6053 and tell us it's stuck closed, and we'll prioritize getting out to you during our open hours.

We do. Automatic gates at HOAs, apartment complexes, and gated communities in Fontana, Colton, and San Bernardino see far more cycles than residential gates, and they need parts rated for that kind of use. We quote those jobs the same way we quote everything else: free estimate, firm price, no work until you approve. Reach us at (844) 703-6053 and a live coordinator will connect you with the local team.

Yes. Our workmanship is guaranteed, and the parts we install carry their manufacturer's warranty. The specific length depends on the part, a DoorKing circuit board has a different warranty than a replacement gear, and we'll tell you exactly what you're covered for before we start. If something we fixed fails because of our workmanship, we come back and make it right. That's been the standard for every job we've done in Fontana since 2014.

The manufacturer's warranty covers defects in the operator itself, not problems caused by the gate binding, low voltage, or physical damage. That's why we check the whole system when we install or replace an operator. A new motor on a gate that doesn't roll freely will fail early and it won't be covered. We make sure the gate moves properly before we mount the operator, so the warranty actually protects you. Call (844) 703-6053 for a free estimate, and we'll check everything.

We recommend a service check every 12 months for residential gates, and every 6 months for HOAs or commercial gates. Fontana's dry heat and dust mean hinges and wheels dry out, chain tension changes, and photo eye lenses get coated with dust faster than in coastal areas. A yearly visit catches small problems before they become big ones. We inspect, clean, lubricate, tighten, and test everything, then tell you if anything's wearing out. It's cheaper than an emergency repair.

We serve Fontana, Bloomington, Rialto, Sunnyslope, Glen Avon, Muscoy, Rubidoux, Colton, Highgrove, Grand Terrace, Jurupa Valley, and San Bernardino. If you're somewhere in the Inland Empire and not sure whether you're in our area, call (844) 703-6053 and ask. Chances are we can help, and if we can't, we'll say so instead of wasting your time.

Written by the team at Manor Gate Repair, serving Fontana and the surrounding Inland Empire since 2014.