Commercial overhead doors are kind of like giant, much heavier versions of a typical garage door you’d see on someone’s home. The infrastructure for all the moving parts are similar. Warehouse doors serve as the primary entry and exit point for goods and supplies. Industrial-grade doors must be sturdy and reliable to keep the business running. If the overhead door at your business is malfunctioning, fixing it promptly is a matter of keeping your business secure and running smoothly.
The infrastructure of industrial overhead doors is similar to that of residential garage doors. They consist of a system of tracks, rollers, and springs that allow the door to move smoothly and safely. Yet, these components are built to withstand much more wear and tear than their residential counterparts. They are designed to be used frequently and in demanding industrial environments, but also require greater attention and maintenance as a result. While your garage door at home may not have given you an issue in the decade you’ve had it, the same may not be said for your warehouse overhead doors. When commercial overhead doors start to malfunction, it can cause serious problems for a business. Common signs your overhead door needs repaired include if it’s become noisy over time, if the lift is uneven (does the bottom of your door seemed crooked when you open and close it?), or if the door seems to lift and lower too quickly. If you notice any of these things, you need to take a look at your door immediately.
Why You Should Maintain Your Commercial Doors
Performing maintenance on the overhead door(s) at your loading dock is crucial for several reasons. The first being, you want to avoid having the issues we mentioned above and needing to take the downtime and money to have it professionally repaired, or worse, completely replaced. But other important issues a malfunctioning overhead door can cause include:
Security Risks
- A malfunctioning roll-up door can pose a significant security risk for your loading dock and warehouse. If it is not closing and locking properly then it isn’t securing anything and is open to anyone. This could leave your business vulnerable to theft, vandalism, and unauthorized access. A well-maintained track access door will function and ensure that your property and assets are safe.
Safety Risks
- Safety risks are another critical issue that can arise if your loading dock door is broken or malfunctioning. Your employees could be at risk of injury if the door’s springs are stretched or broken and are not properly supporting the door. A well-maintained rolling metal door will reduce the risk of injury to your employees.
Cost Risks
- If your overhead door is in disrepair, you won’t be able to load or unload inventory if the door becomes stuck closed or partially open. Downtime is a cost. Energy loss from the door being stuck partially open is a cost. If your inventory is perishable, a door being stuck open or closed can compromise the inventory, resulting in huge financial losses. Then, of course, there’s the cost of having the overhead door repaired, or worse, completely replaced.
Warehouse doors are typically large, heavy, and made to withstand harsh conditions. They are designed to protect your valuable assets from theft, weather, and other external factors. Due to this the cost of maintaining these doors can be significant. Many businesses may be tempted to neglect this crucial aspect of their facility’s upkeep, but you never should.
The reality is that the cost of performing maintenance and checks on your dock’s doors is inexpensive. It will always be much lower than the cost of repair and replacement. Neglecting routine maintenance can lead to significant wear and tear on the door’s components. This will eventually cause the door to malfunction, break down, or become unsafe for use.
There are some basic maintenance tasks that you can perform yourself, such as cleaning parts, or inspecting the opening system. Despite that many other maintenance tasks require professionals. This is because industrial overhead doors are often complicated. They need specialized knowledge to diagnose and repair issues. They can perform routine maintenance tasks to ensure that the door operates smoothly.
When You Should Call a Commercial Door Install and Repair Company
Before you call in the experts, look around the door’s infrastructure (tracks, frame, springs, opener, etc.). If you notice stretched or broken springs, you should get that fixed ASAP, and by a professional. Weak or broken springs are a serious safety hazard, and because they deal with so much tension, trying to replace them yourself is a dangerous idea.
If you can’t find anything that looks worn or broken, try lubricating every moving part on the door and see if that improves its function. If not, cover all your bases by switching the remote battery and making sure the photo eyes are clean. If after all this, if you still have noise, the door is off track, or it’s still not opening and closing correctly, call a professional. There are a lot of things it could be that someone who specializes in commercial door installation and repair will be able to identify and advise you on how to fix. It’s wise to call a professional and pay for repair than ignore the issue or deal with it being just kind of fixed from your DIY repairs. In the end, the potential costs of a security breach, an employee accident, or having to completely replace your overhead door, are all a lot more expensive that getting it repaired by a pro.