A courtyard or driveway gate can add value and curb appeal to your home. But if you don't maintain your gates, they can quickly turn into an eyesore. Regular maintenance also ensures that your gates will work properly and help prevent any accidents. Read on for 4 tips on how to keep courtyard and driveway gates looking and working great for years to come.

1. Make regular maintenance a priority. To keep your gates looking their best, make regular maintenance tasks a part of your routine. Keep hinges and driveway gate tracks well oiled, check to make sure bolts are tightened and watch out for rust spots. (To prevent rust on an iron gate, repair chips and scratches quickly.) If your gate has a lock, regularly check to make sure it is in good working order. If your gate has battery-operated automatic openers, be sure to check the batteries regularly.

2. Think twice about doing major repairs yourself. While small repair jobs like touching up chipped paint on a courtyard gate can be done yourself, it's probably best to call a professional for more complex repair jobs. For example, if your automatic gate is malfunctioning, it may be due to a problem with the electrical components that requires the attention of a licensed electrician. Severely rusted or bent gates may also need professional repair.

3. Choose a driveway or courtyard gate company that offers a maintenance plan. Many gate services installation companies also offer maintenance plans. This may involve the gate company coming to your home once a year to inspect the gate mechanisms and, for automatic gates, also looking at electrical components like as sensors, keypads, phone entry systems and surge protectors. The gate company may also examine the gate's structural framework and foundations, as well as hinges, gate tracks, motors and other parts. The maintenance agreement may cover the replacement of parts that are damaged or worn out due to normal wear and tear. This kind of regular inspection can help you spot problems before they become major issues, reducing your overall maintenance costs.

4. Look for an iron gate that comes with warranty protection. When buying your new courtyard or driveway gates, look for ones that come with strong warranty protection. For example, you may look for a warranty that guarantees repairs in the event the gate starts to sag, as well as warranties on other gate parts, such as gate openers. You may also be able to purchase an extended warranty to cover maintenance after the original warranty expires.