Your roll-up doors are a part of your building that you probably don’t think of very often. However, those doors are essential to your company’s security. They will keep you comfortable, and keep your products fresh and safe.
If something goes wrong with your roll-up doors, you will quickly realize how important they are. According to the website Insulated Roll-Up Doors | Industrial Door Solutions, there are a few things that you can do to maintain your doors.
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Start With an Inspection
You should give your doors a visual Inspection a few times a year. Before you begin your inspection, remember to take certain safety precautions.
A rolling door has many moving parts. You should wear work clothes, eye protection, and even a hard hat. You should never stand directly under the door. You will want to disable your automatic door opener during the inspection. Another person could unknowingly operate the door while you are looking at it, or someone could open or close the door by accidentally touching a button.
The door should be completely open when you inspect it. If the door is partially open, it can throw off its equilibrium and it may fall down on you.
You should look for rust and corrosion at the bottom of the door. When objects rub against one another, they can often wear down. If the bottom of a garage door wears down, your building will not be as well insulated as it should be.
Check the bottom bar and the door curtain. Check the motor, the chain drive, and the brake to make sure they are not worn down. Look at the chain drive carefully to make sure that it is not loose. Stand back, open and close the door, and listen carefully for any noises.
Once you lower the door, look for any holes in it. Check the weather seals on the door. They may become stretched from wear and tear. Misshapen seals will not be able to keep air from getting in or out of a building. If the chain looks very loose, or if you hear a loud noise, you should not operate it until you can get a repair person to look at it.
Do not leave your door opener out of the inspection. If the opener is not working correctly, it can cause an accident. Openers sometimes leak oil.
Make sure the door is opening and closing smoothly. If it jams or lifts and lowers too slowly, you may need to repair the door.
Clean the Door
Grease and dirt can wear away at a door’s paint and surface. The sensors on a door may not work as well if they are dirty. You should clean the door about once a month.
Lubricate the Door
You can use WD40 or a similar product to lubricate the moving parts of the door. You should lubricate the door after every 1,000 uses. If you lift the door once a day, you will only have to inspect it once a year. The average company lifts its doors many times a day, so it is best to inspect the door several times a year.
When a Door Needs to be Replaced
If your roll-up door has a lot of corrosion or if it is visibly worn down, you may want to consider replacing it. Although it may seem like an unnecessary expense, remember that a roll-up door can make your building much more energy efficient. Heating and air conditioning bills can add up quickly.
If your door is not operating properly even after you have tried to fix it, you should replace it. A malfunctioning garage door is not only inconvenient. It can be dangerous or even deadly.
If you have an old facility or if you have a door that is not properly insulated, it is worth replacing. When you have a door that is well-insulated and opens and closes swiftly, you will be able to get products in and out of your building quickly. This will increase your productivity.
What You Should Look For in a Roll-Up Door
You will see many options when you do an internet search for a new door. Look for one that is made of top-quality materials. Steel is considered one of the best materials for a roll-up door. It is hard to dent and energy efficient. Make sure to ask how long the warranty is on the door.
The company you buy the door from should send you full instructions for installation and maintenance.
