Commercial doors are used a lot more than residential doors, and not everyone opens and shuts them with care. Left to their own devices, commercial doors can suffer a lot of damage. Levers can break, hinges get busted, closers can leak, and doors can sag. You would call in a professional for most of these, but you can save yourself a lot of hassle with preemptive maintenance. Here are eight tips to help your commercial doors last longer.
Avoid Propping Doors Open
If doors are propped open too often, it affects their alignment. Then they won’t close properly. Without a proper “hold-open” closer, you do significant damage to the door every time you prop it open.
Be Gentle
As we said before, commercial doors are already going through a lot. Be gentle each time you open and close them. Banging doors, kicking them, or shoving keys into keyholes is just further damage. If the key does not turn smoothly in the lock and needs to be jostled with, it might be time to call in a locksmith.
Keep It Dry
While watering plants or cleaning up inside or outside, try not to let the door get wet. Even if your door has been weatherproofed, a little rain is not the same thing as getting drenched with a hose. Water can also cause rust, which will make the door harder to open and shut.
Paint It
Paint forms a protective coating between the metal and the air, keeping the door from oxidizing and rusting. If over the years the first coat of paint starts to chip, paint a fresh coat. This is an easy and cost-effective way to protect your door that also looks great.
Don’t Cover It
Don’t cover the outside of the door with a sign or a plaque. Moisture and dirt can get trapped underneath, which will cause rust and damage to the door.
Check the Closer
If the door takes too long to close, it might be a sign that the door needs some adjusting. Check for oil leakage and use an Allen wrench to tighten and adjust the gears.
Don’t Let the Batteries Run Out
Check the batteries on any exit alarms or card access systems linked to the door. If the system makes any weird noises that it doesn’t normally, it could be a sign that the batteries need to be changed.
Be Proactive
Get ahead of problems. Notice changes in the door’s functioning and take care of them before they become a full-blown problem. A proactive approach will save you a lot of money in the long run.
Commercial doors need all the TLC you can give them. Paint them, check the batteries, and be gentle with them to help them last longer. Avoid covering them, soaking them, and propping them open, and you’ll be amazed at how much better your commercial doors work. If you need a professional service to maintain and upkeep your commercial doors, get in touch with Accurate Lock & Safe today! We have been serving Southern Utah and the surrounding areas for the last 15 years and have only gotten better with experience. For fast turnaround times and reasonable rates, your only answer is Accurate Lock & Safe.