Commercial property owners are aware of security risks whether their buildings are shops, showrooms, workshops, factories, or offices. You are likely to have valuable equipment, stock, or information that has to be left on-site when your business is closed, and that means there are several hours every day when you’re vulnerable to break-ins, theft, and vandalism. The simplest way of dealing with that risk is to make it difficult, if not impossible, for intruders to gain access. A sturdy, well-maintained commercial door is the answer.

Well-maintained is the key phrase here. Even the strongest commercial door will suffer wear and tear, accidental damage and broken parts. If you don’t keep a check on its condition, there may come a point when it simply can’t do its job anymore, so you need to be alert to the tell-tale signs that problems are developing.

Noises

Some commercial doors operate in silence, but even those that won’t make an easily recognizable sound. If your doors start to make unfamiliar noises such as grinding, creaking or squeaking, this is telling you that the lubricant is no longer effective and if unattended it will only get worse, possibly resulting in the doors jamming either open or closed, neither of which is desirable.

Misalignment

Over time, the framework of the door can shift or buckle, support posts can slip out of place and even structural settling can have an effect. What you can see simply by looking will depend on the type of door you have, but any sign that panels or controls have shifted suggests that faults have developed and could get worse very quickly. An ill-fitting door will not operate efficiently and could also be significantly weakened.

Rust and Damage

Rust is the curse of everything metal, from automobiles to garden gates. Your commercial door is just as likely to suffer corrosion from rust, especially if it is an external door in an exposed setting. Rust eats away at the metal. A rusted lock will be much easier to break. Rusted panels can be kicked in or prised apart. Rust is not just a cosmetic problem; it can undermine the effectiveness of your defences. If the door is dented or damaged, the abrasion to the metal allows rust to take hold more quickly.

Door Sticks

Even if the door looks in perfectly good condition with no misalignment or visible damage, it can start sticking as you open or close it. While this could be simply a matter of inadequate lubrication, it could also be an indication of an issue with the tracks, rollers, or hinges. You should keep them clean regularly to keep them functioning properly. If that doesn’t work, you may need to purchase replacement parts.

Unresponsive Commercial Door

Apart from basic, manually operated ones, industrial doors are powered by electricity. If the controls cease to function, the issue could have several causes. It may be that the door itself needs repair, or it could be the electronic mechanism that governs its movement. Additionally, there might be a problem with the power itself, such as an interruption or a loose connection. Make sure an engineer checks all possibilities before undertaking unnecessary repairs or replacements.