If you’re like most business owners, you may not think about your commercial doors very often. That is until the doors stop working.
A malfunctioning commercial door can throw a kink in the entire day for some businesses.
In this article, we’ll explore the five most common reasons commercial doors underperform or stop working altogether. We’ll also explore steps you can take to avoid these problems.
5 Causes for Common Commercial Door Issues
Here are the most common reasons commercial doors fail:
1. Normal Wear and Tear
Most commercial doors depend on interrelated parts — parts like torsion springs, rollers, and cables that move and bear weight. The more your staff and customers use your doors, the more strain these door components must face.
Over time, as these components age, they become more vulnerable. This weakening, in turn, places more strain on other elements in the system.
Sometimes this process happens slowly — so slowly you might not notice it — until a component gives and the door stops working properly.
● How to avoid this common problem: All moving parts wear out eventually, but scheduling regular maintenance and using high-quality materials and products will optimize the life of your doors. RCI Doors™ provides certified commercial door service in Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and the surrounding area.
● Should I replace or repair it? This depends on the age and condition of your door’s key components. If multiple components have failed, or if the door is too old to incorporate modern safety features, you should replace it with a safer, more efficient model.
2. Impact From a Collision
Many commercial doors open and close around moving vehicles. Accidents, of course, will happen.
Most of the time, a collision will cause obvious damage, rendering a door inoperable. But occasionally, a collision will cause only cosmetic damage to your commercial door. Just remember: Even a gentle impact can hinder a door’s performance.
● How to avoid this common problem: No one can prevent all accidents all the time. But precautions can help reduce the likelihood of a collision. For example, brightly colored markings on the pavement, and the doors themselves, can help with visibility. Modern safety features like sensors can also help.
● Should I replace or repair it? In most cases, a collision-damaged door needs to be fully replaced. However, it may be possible to keep some components if they weren’t damaged by the collision.
3. Exposure to the Elements
Doors, by design, protect your building from the elements. But what protects your doors themselves?
In some instances, exposure to direct sunlight and extreme temperatures, over time, can warp door panels — especially if they’re made of hollow metal, a material that’s popular because of its light weight. The metal frames around glass commercial doors can warp over time, too.
Warping can affect a door’s performance by misaligning panels and frames.
● How to avoid this common problem: Awnings help keep direct sunlight from overheating panels. Using lighter paint colors on doors will also reflect radiant heat rather than absorbing it, minimizing warping.
● Should I replace or repair it? Sometimes, warping is temporary. Adding preventive measures can eliminate the problem. However, if misalignment due to warping has already damaged your door’s moving parts, the commercial door may need to be replaced. If you have to replace your door, ask about insulating your new doors to better regulate temperature.
4. Improper Operation
It’s tempting to keep using commercial doors even when they don’t open and close all the way — or even when one side of the door closes before the other side. We get it. Scheduling repairs creates downtime and costs money.
But continuing to use a door despite these kinds of minor problems can cause major damage in the long run. Repairing minor problems, when they’re detected, can prevent a full replacement in the future.
A skilled and certified repair person can repair these kinds of problems quickly and affordably.
● How to avoid this common problem: Keeping a regular commercial door maintenance schedule can help your doors stay healthy. Addressing small problems before they spread can also extend your doors’ life.
● Should I replace or repair it? If you catch a small, isolated problem before it creates strain for the rest of your system, it’s likely a certified technician can simply repair your door.
5. Electrical or Sensor Issues
When a commercial door stops working suddenly, and you don’t see an obvious physical defect, an electrical or sensor problem could be the cause.
This is good news in some ways. The door may need only a simple repair. But only certified technicians should access the door’s electrical panel and adjust sensor calibrations. Unauthorized repairs can create multiple safety hazards.
● How to avoid this common problem: Keep boxes, equipment, and other stationary objects away from door sensors.
● Should I replace or repair it? A certified repair technician can fix electrical and sensor problems, especially if the door’s physical components are in good shape.
Extend a Door’s Life with Certified Repairs and Regular Maintenance
Commercial doors have an important job, When they stop working, you’ll likely be in a hurry to get your doors up and running again. You might be tempted to fix the problem yourself or to assign the repair to an employee.
Unless you have a certified commercial door repair person on your staff, you’ll need to call a certified commercial door repair company. Calling in the pros helps ensure the safety of your staff and customers. And, because certified technicians understand every component in your system, you can be sure your doors are working as efficiently and effectively as possible which can extend their life and help prevent future downtimes.
In central North Carolina, RCI Doors™ maintains, repairs, and replaces commercial doors for a variety of businesses. Call us today to schedule a repair, a replacement, or an assessment of your existing doors.
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