In a commercial property, doorways play a very important role. They serve as the entry point for your patrons and employees, while also playing an important role in ensuring energy efficiency and compliance with safety regulations. This means that when you’re experiencing a door closing problem, it becomes more than a minor inconvenience.
If your commercial space has automatic swinging doors, you might be experiencing some issues like the door swinging open when someone closes it, refusing to latch, or sometimes slamming shut loudly. These issues are more common than you think, and each of these problems could be caused by different issues.
For a quick solution, consult a partner like Doorway Services, to help you figure out what is wrong with your automatic swing door and work out why the door closing problem is occurring. The sooner you consult with us, the easier and cheaper it will be to fix it.
In this blog, we’ll share some common causes behind these issues and what you could do to get things working properly again.
1. Door Closer Malfunction or Tension Misadjustment
One of the potential causes of a door closing problem might be a faulty or badly adjusted door closer. These mechanisms are the ones that control how quickly and firmly the door closes. If there’s something wrong with this mechanism, you might notice the door swinging open or closing too quickly or too slowly. Sometimes, they might not close completely, even if you try manually.
How to fix it: Try to adjust the tension settings. Many door closers have labelled screws which control swing speed and latch force. If you cannot figure out how to adjust the tension on a swinging door, it’s worth getting checked by a professional.
2. Loose or Worn Hinges
A swing door requires heavy-duty hinges because it carries a lot of weight. After a while, they could start to loosen, rust, or bend. This makes the door sag and become misaligned with the frame. A tell-tale sign of this problem would be creaking noises or the door drifting open again after you’ve closed it.
How to fix it: Visually check if the hinges are damaged or loose. You could tighten them yourself or replace them with stronger ones if needed. If you’re unsure, leave the fixing to a professional.
3. Warped Door Frame
One of the most vulnerable components of a door is the frame, which is particularly susceptible to wear and tear over time. Constant exposure to environmental factors such as temperature fluctuations, moisture, and humidity can cause the door frame to warp, crack, or weaken, ultimately affecting the door’s overall functionality and lead to a door closing problem. In such cases, you would notice the door hitting the frame unevenly, or it would need a firm push to close.
How to fix it: A warped door frame problem could be solved by adjusting the hinges. However, in more severe cases, you may need part of the frame refitted or replaced. If your door has recently been exposed to leaks, it’s worth getting the whole frame inspected.
4. Floor or Header Obstruction
When your door is not closing properly, it might not always be something major. The first thing you can do is check if there are any physical obstructions. Even something as simple as a pebble or a slightly bent swinging door pole can stop a door from closing properly. Commercial doors with bottom sweeps or floor-mounted guides are more prone to getting blocked up.
How to fix it: This one is a simple fix. You just need to make sure that you clear the area around the door. Be sure to pay attention to the area near the floor plate and swing arm.
5. The Latch Isn’t Lining Up
If your door is shutting properly but not staying shut, it might be due to the latch and strike plate being misaligned. A common cause for this happening is due to doors shifting slightly over time or the parts being loose due to regular heavy usage. You’ll notice the door is clicking but not locking in these cases.
How to fix it: If you find this is the problem with your door, you could try adjusting the position of the strike plate. Sometimes, a minor tweak could help you fix your entire problem. If your door has electronic components, you need to make sure they are working properly after you have moved the strike plate.
6. Damaged or Missing Weather Stripping
Weather stripping is not just about energy efficiency; it also plays a big role in helping doors close properly. If your weather strip is worn out or peeling, it creates a resistance that stops the door from fully sealing. In some cases, the door might also swing open after just closing.
How to fix it: In order to fix this, you can visually check the edges of the door for gaps or torn seals. If you notice such damage, you could replace it with a high-quality alternative that will also provide you with noise reduction.
7. Inadequate Maintenance
A lot of door problems can be avoided if you carry out regular maintenance. You can find out if there is any debris or if there are any loosening hinges when you carry out maintenance. This helps you understand potential problems and fix them before they become bigger issues and lead to the door completely breaking.
How to fix it: Make sure you are regularly scheduling maintenance even when everything is working fine. A good maintenance visit will help you save repair costs later.
Contact Doorway Services for Automatic Gate Problems
At Doorway Services, we help businesses in the Midlands with everything from misaligned frames and damaged hinges to automation issues and automatic gate problems. We work with all types of commercial doors, including manual swing doors, automatic swing doors, and sliding doors.
Get in touch with Doorway Services today to arrange a visit. Our team of experts will get your door working the way it should be.
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