Many in Northeast Ohio are still in a summer state of mind. But business owners and operators can’t afford to fall back when it comes to keeping up with seasonal Cleveland commercial door maintenance.

Autumn is an ideal time to schedule maintenance & ensure your doors are in top shape. Trouble spots that may have emerged since spring haven’t yet snowballed into full-blown problems. It’s possible you may not even realize an issue is underlying. But waiting until that wicked Cleveland winter weather hits can cost you big time.

Our expert Cleveland commercial door technicians can flag potential pain points before they become a headache.

Winter is when you’ll see locks freezing, hinges become noisy and stiff and weatherstripping gets compromised. Seemingly minor issues become apparent and possibly exacerbated in winter, depleting your energy efficiency and costing you money. What you think is just a drafty door quickly turns into a full-blown security breach.

Cleveland door experts can provide comprehensive maintenance services for your business. If you do experience a door emergency, our commercial door technicians offer 24-7 on-call repair services available 365 days-a-year for urgent, onsite requests in Cleveland and surrounding communities.

Maintenance Guidelines for Commercial Doors

Savvy property owners recognize that by prioritizing regular seasonal maintenance of each Cleveland commercial door on site, they’ll save money in the long-term. Maintenance is often far more cost-efficient than repair (though we pride ourselves on being competitively-priced for both).

Specific industry standards may deviate slightly here, but for most commercial doors in general, we urge:

• Cleaning: Clean the door surface, hardware, and seals to remove dirt and debris.
• Lubrication: Apply a light coat of lubricant to hinges, rollers, and other moving parts to prevent friction.
• Weatherproofing: Check for any gaps or damage to weatherstripping and seals to prevent air leaks and water infiltration.
• Hardware Tightening: Ensure all screws and bolts are tightened to prevent loosening and damage.

Commercial Door Parts Prone to Seasonal Problems

Most likely, your Cleveland commercial door is made of tough stuff. It’s meant to withstand harsh weather , rapid temperature fluctuations and heavy use.

But there are some parts that are often more prone to issues than others when the weather swings. These include:

• Glass Panels: Check for cracks, chips, or other damage. Replace damaged glass immediately.
• Door Closers: Adjust closing speed and back check regularly. Check for fluid leaks and replace worn parts.
• Locks and Hardware: Clean and lubricate locks regularly. Replace worn-out keys and handles as soon as possible.
• Automatic Doors: Regularly inspect sensors, operators, and safety features. Ensure proper alignment and calibration.

Points to Keep in Mind

One thing we cannot stress enough (because we’ve seen it make a small problem so much bigger): Avoid force. Never force doors to open or close if there’s resistance. The risk here is serious damage to the hardware and structure of the door. You’ll go from needing Cleveland commercial door repair to needing an outright replacement.

Beyond that, it’s a good idea for commercial property owners to invest in regular professional maintenance. Especially if the door in question is heavy use, you need to trust that it’s safe for employees and also functional for the work that needs done. A qualified commercial door technician is going to be able to spot issues you won’t easily observe.

Lastly, if you haven’t already, train your workers on how to respond if a heavy-use door does malfunction. Many operations have a slight lull in business between summer and fall. It’s a good time to brush up on proper protocol. First and foremost, you want to keep workers safe. Beyond that, you want to minimize the chances of them making the damage worse until the door repair tech arrives. If you have questions about this, our techs can offer insight.

By following these tips, you can significantly extend the life of your commercial doors, improve security, and reduce energy costs.

Advance Door Co. provides commercial automatic door products, services, repairs, and replacements to customers throughout Northeast Ohio, including Cleveland, Parma, and surrounding communities. Contact us via email or call (216) 220-6022.

Additional Resources:

Maintenance of Steel Door and Frame Assemblies, Steel Door Institute

More Blog Entries:

Door Operator Options for Your Cleveland Business, April 30, 2024, Cleveland Commercial Door Company Blog