When it comes to a property’s functionality, efficiency, safety, and security, commercial doors play a key role. Whether it’s a fire exit, automatic, sliding, or manual door, it needs to be properly maintained with commercial door servicing. Manual industrial doors are meant to withstand heavy traffic and rough use, but that doesn’t mean they’re without any maintenance issues.
Regular commercial door maintenance will help you prevent unexpected accidents, breakdowns, security concerns, and expensive repairs while extending the longevity of your doors. Your property’s doors and exterior facade are probably the first impression a customer has of your business, and you won’t make a good one if you have old, worn-out manual doors that are trip hazards or make screeching noises.
While DIY maintenance is more of an “as and when” thing, professional industrial door servicing is something you should commit to annually. Connect with us at Doorway Services to get a custom quote for all your door-related issues, as well as new door installation and repair.
This blog explores some handy best practices for commercial door servicing that property owners and building managers should know.
1. Regular Visual Inspection
The first part of any maintenance schedule is regular inspections so you can identify issues early. During these inspections, look for signs of wear and tear, even if they’re very small. Is the manual door closer not working properly? Are the sliding manual roller doors showing resistance?
Some common issues to watch out for include unusual noise, misalignment, worn-out rollers, damaged hinges and springs, or signs of rust. Check for gaps or worn-out weatherstripping, as these can impact the energy efficiency of your building, directly affecting the EPC rating and energy bills.
Detecting early signs of damage can also help you avoid accidents and legal liabilities, especially in high-traffic areas.
2. Use Lubricants
An important part of commercial door servicing is lubricating the moving parts. Manual door components such as hinges, tracks, rollers, and locks often accumulate dirt and become stiff. This will impact the doors’ efficiency and effectiveness, leading to friction and stiffness of the moving parts. In an emergency, a malfunctioning door will hinder escape, with potentially disastrous consequences.
Lubrication will make the manual door function properly and is critical in high-traffic areas such as entrances and exits, lobbies, and corridors. It’s a good industrial door servicing practice to lubricate the moving parts at least once a month. This leads to better operational efficiency, reducing damage and helping you avoid expensive repairs.
3. Clean the Door Regularly
A clean door adds to your building’s aesthetics, but it’s more than just kerbside appeal. Dirt, grime, and environmental debris (leaves, twigs, or soil particles, for example) can easily get stuck in door rollers and crevices, compromising structural integrity and leading to safety and security issues.
If your property has a wooden external door, you’ll need to undertake even more precautions, as moisture can lead to warping and cracking.
A door is a common touchpoint for your customers and employees, making it necessary to clean and disinfect it thoroughly. This includes cleaning touchpoints such as handles and push plates and glass panels with commercial-grade cleaner. Metal doors need to be cleaned with detergent, a microfiber cloth and water.
For external doors, reapply sealant or protective paint every year to prevent damage from rust, moisture, and UV rays. Make sure you’re not using abrasive chemical cleaners, as they can harm your door’s hardware.
4. Check Door Hardware
The different parts of a commercial door, such as manual door closers, hinges, rollers, and mounting parts, need to be checked thoroughly every few months.
In high-traffic areas, doors are used hundreds of times every day, leading to frequent wear and tear of their moving parts. If they’re not properly aligned or begin malfunctioning over time, this can jeopardise the door’s safety and structural integrity.
For manual doors, test and adjust the balance. If you have automatic doors, you’ll need to seek professional help. At Doorway Services, we assist with commercial door maintenance for both manual and automatic doors. Get in touch with us today!
5. Check for Weather Damage
Doors are often exposed to natural elements such as wind, fluctuating temperatures, sun, and rain, which can lead to issues ranging from warping and rust formation to structural damage. Weather stripping helps maintain the indoor temperature while keeping the natural elements out.
After every season change, check the doors for weather-related damage. Regularly replacing the weatherstripping makes your building compliant with EPC regulations, maintains a comfortable environment for your staff, and can also help you reduce energy bills.
Contact Doorway Services for Assistance With Manual Door Maintenance
Regular commercial door servicing will help you meet safety regulations and save money on repairs in the long run. Routine commercial door servicing can be done by in-house staff, but it’s best to outsource annual or biennial industrial door servicing to experienced professionals.
At Doorway Services, we work with all types of commercial doors, from manual to automatic and sliding doors. We’re here to help you prioritise safety, security, and compliance with minimum downtime.
Whether you’re looking for annual commercial door maintenance, a one-off repair, or new door installation, we’re happy to help. Connect with us today to learn more about our services.
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