Commercial doors are, without a doubt, among the most heavily used parts of any kind of a commercial property. Whether we are talking about retail storefronts, or warehouses, schools, healthcare facilities, industrial spaces, or office buildings, there is absolutely no denying the fact that the doors play a huge role not only in security and safety, but also in accessibility, the daily operations, as well as the aesthetics. Even though most property owners and managers understand this, they still tend to neglect the routine commercial door maintenance until they encounter an issue that can cause downtime or some expensive repairs.
Well, it is time to change that, and the fact that you are here tells me that you are ready to make some changes. So, what we are going to do is share some maintenance tips provided by Commercial Door Worx, a company that offers all the commercial door services you need, from installation and repairs to maintenance itself, hoping to help you understand your part in the upkeep process, and to give you a better idea about what it is that you have to do in order to keep the door in good condition. The good news is that you don’t have to do much work here, since we are talking of yearly maintenance, but that still doesn’t mean that you should just take this part of the building for granted and hope for the best.
So, if you are ready to do the learning, and I am guessing you are, then you have come to the right place. To put it simply, we are now going to share those tips that we have mentioned, gathered from professionals. And, when you get professional tips, you will absolutely know better than to just ignore the door and hope that nothing will happen that will require repairs. Without much more ado, thus, let us start sharing those tips right away.
Inspect the Alignment and Operation
During your yearly inspection and maintenance, one of the first things you will have to do is, well, check whether the doors are opening and closing properly. After all, misaligned doors can place quite a lot of stress on the frames, the hinges, the closers, as well as the locking mechanisms, which can eventually result in some major operational failures, and that is definitely not what you want. Some common warning signs include issues like doors scraping the floor, uneven gaps around the frame, slamming shut, difficulty latching, doors that drift open or closed, resistance during operation and similar. So, a preventative inspection can help identify some problems before they become more serious and start interrupting business operations.
Lubricate the Moving Components
As you probably understand already, commercial doors definitely rely on a lot of moving parts, and those experience a lot of friction throughout the year. Without proper lubrication, those components can wear out ahead of time and thus lead to unreliable or noisy door operation. This means that one of your main tasks during the yearly inspection is to lubricate those important components, such as hinges, rollers, tracks, pivots, closers, sliding mechanisms and locks. And don’t forget to use manufacturer approved lubricants, as that will help reduce corrosion and improve the overall door performance.
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Check the Seals and Weatherstripping
Weatherstripping is, unfortunately, often overlooked during commercial door maintenance, although it plays a crucial role in things like moisture control, indoor comfort, as well as energy efficiency. If the seals are damaged or worn, that can lead to water intrusion, air leaks, dust buildup, as well as pest entry, and, of course, increased HVAC costs. To avoid this, thus, you should inspect the weatherstripping around the exterior entry doors, automatic sliding doors, loading dock doors, as well as emergency exits, and you should replace the damaged seals in order to improve insulation and help maintain stable indoor temperatures throughout the year.
Examine the Fire Doors and Safety Compliance
A lot of commercial buildings rely on fire-rated doors as essential safety features. These are designed to slow down the spread of fire and smoke, meaning that they help protect the occupants in times of such emergencies. Yet, over time, fire doors tend to become non-compliant, due to damaged hardware, improper repairs, as well as neglected maintenance. So, you should do a yearly inspection of these as well, checking self-closing functionality, door gaps and clearances, damaged seals, hinges and hardware, obstructions, latching systems, as well as visible damage or warping. These kinds of regular inspections can help ensure that you are meeting safety regulations while reducing the potential liability risks as well.
Test Those Automatic Systems
In case you have some automatic commercial doors, you should keep in mind that those require regular inspections in order to remain safe and compliant with those accessibility standards. What does this mean precisely, though? Well, it means that the components such as the operators, the sensors, and the activation devices have to be checked during the yearly inspection and maintenance as well. Thus, check for sensor responsiveness, jerky movement, inconsistent operation, strange noises, delayed opening and closing, and make sure to call in the pros for repairs if you notice that something is wrong. Here are some more maintenance practices to keep in mind.
Tighten the Hardware and Fasteners
It is completely normal for some screws, bolts and hardware components to become loosened over time, due to constant use. But, this can eventually cause some operational issues or even complete door failure, if it is ignored. So, you should remember to inspect and tighten those components, including hinges, handles, panic bars, closers, and similar.
Evaluate the Security Features
Finally, you should also remember to evaluate the security features. After all, commercial doors definitely serve as major security barriers for businesses. So, consider inspecting the electronic locks, the keycard systems, the panic hardware, security gates, access control readers, exit devices, as well as surveillance integration. And, once again, if you notice any kinds of issues it is best for you to call in the pros to have those fixed.
