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Maintaining and Repairing Commercial Doors: Best Practices

Posted On: February 7, 2025 in Commercial Doors

Your commercial doors are essential to the smooth operation of your business, ensuring safety, security, and energy efficiency. Regular maintenance and timely repairs not only protect your employees and customers but also help you avoid costly repairs and downtime. Whether you’re managing overhead sectional doors, rolling steel doors, slatted service doors, or sheet metal doors, keeping them in good condition is easier than you think.

Why Regular Commercial Door Maintenance Matters

Maintaining your commercial doors is more than just a safety measure—it’s a smart business decision. Regular upkeep helps you:

  • Enhance Safety & Security: Keep your workplace secure for both employees and visitors.
  • Save Money: Proactive maintenance reduces the likelihood of costly repairs or premature replacements.
  • Improve Efficiency: Well-maintained doors operate smoothly, minimizing downtime and reducing energy costs.
  • Protect Your Investment: Regular care helps extend the lifespan of your doors and keeps warranties intact.

Common Commercial Door Issues and How to Fix Them

Even with regular commercial door maintenance, doors can develop problems over time. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most common issues and how they can be addressed:

1. Door Misalignment & Binding

Over time, doors can become out of balance due to wear and tear or improper installation. This can lead to binding, making the door hard to operate and creating safety risks.

Solution: Regular inspections and realignment by a professional technician can prevent more serious issues and ensure your doors function smoothly.

2. Damaged Seals & Weatherstripping

Broken or worn seals and weatherstripping can cause drafts, energy loss, and security vulnerabilities. Damaged seals can also detract from the appearance of your building.

Solution: Keep your doors energy-efficient by replacing seals and weatherstripping as soon as you notice any wear. A quick inspection can save you money on heating and cooling.

3. Broken Springs & Cables

Broken springs or cables can cause doors to malfunction and may pose a serious safety risk. Attempting to repair these issues yourself can be dangerous due to the high spring tension required to operate a properly balanced door.

Solution: Always call a professional for spring or cable repairs. Technicians are trained to safely handle these components and restore your door’s operation quickly.

4. Malfunctioning Operators (Electric or Hydraulic)

Electric or hydraulic operators are responsible for automatically opening and closing your doors. When these malfunction, they can compromise safety, slow down your workflow or indicate a larger problem.

Solution: Timely professional repair ensures that your operators are functioning correctly, keeping your door operation safe and efficient.

5. Jammed or BentTracks

Bent tracks from forklift impact or obstructions in the tracks can prevent doors from opening or closing properly, leading to operational downtime.

Solution: Regular lubrication and maintenance of tracks, along with prompt removal of debris, can prevent blockages and keep your doors running smoothly. Long term prevention requires an investment in track protectors, which stop forklift damage from occurring ever again.

Preventative Door Maintenance Tips

To avoid unexpected repairs, consider these easy but effective preventative measures:

  • Conduct Regular Inspections: A quick visual check can spot small issues before they become major problems. If you see outside light from an inside inspection, that is your indicator to replace seals and weatherstripping. 
  • Lubricate Moving Parts: Keeping hinges, rollers, and tracks well-lubricated ensures smooth operation and prevents unnecessary wear.
  • Clean the Door & Tracks: Dirt and grime can build up over time and cause parts to wear out faster, so regular cleaning is key.
  • Train Employees: Educate your team on proper door use to avoid accidental damage, injured backs or fingers and to ensure overall safe operation.

When to Call a Professional for Commercial Door Repair

While regular upkeep is important, some commercial door repairs do require professional expertise:

  • Safety Hazards: Broken springs, cables, or malfunctioning operators require a professional to safely address the issue.
  • Electrical or Hydraulic Problems: These systems are complex and should only be handled by experienced technicians.
  • Extensive Damage: If a door is severely damaged, it’s best to have a professional assess and repair it.
  • Lack of In-House Expertise: If your team is unsure how to handle a door issue, don’t hesitate to call in the experts.
  • Safety:  Always remember, doors with springs are under tension. The untrained can be severely injured conducting repairs on their own. 

McKinley Equipment: Your Partner in Commercial Door Maintenance & Repair

At McKinley Equipment, we understand how important it is to keep your doors in top condition. With our experienced team of technicians, we offer reliable maintenance and repair services tailored to your needs. Our commitment to customer satisfaction, competitive pricing, and convenient scheduling make us the go-to choice for commercial door upkeep services.

Why Choose McKinley Equipment?

  • Expert Technicians: Our skilled team is equipped to handle all types of commercial doors.
  • Comprehensive Services: From routine maintenance to emergency repairs, we’ve got you covered.
  • Customer-Focused Approach: We prioritize your needs and work around your schedule to minimize disruptions to your operations.
  • Affordable & Transparent Pricing: We offer fair pricing without hidden fees, ensuring you get the best value for your investment.

Have issues with your commercial doors? Contact us.

The Bottom Line: Regular Door Maintenance Keeps Your Business Running Smoothly

Your commercial doors are vital to your business’s safety, security, and efficiency. By investing in regular commercial door maintenance and timely repairs, you protect your property, reduce operational disruptions, and save money in the long run. Trust McKinley Equipment to help keep your doors functioning at their best, so you can focus on what matters most: running your business.