Commercial door problems are something best left in the hands of professionals. It’s not something that you would want to work on as a DIY project, especially because the general public is accessing it.
A broken commercial door is not only inconvenient but is also a real source of liability risk. If any one of your patrons gets injured in some way because of the broken door, you could find yourself facing a real problem if they claim liability damages.
That’s the worst-case scenario, though, and one that doesn’t have to happen to you! As long as you stay on top of the maintenance and repair needs in your commercial property, you should be able to ensure the safety and security of your visitors.
Why hire a professional to fix commercial doors?
Many commercial property owners find themselves asking, “Should I hire someone to fix my business door?”
The short and straight answer to that is a definite yes! There are many benefits to calling in a professional to fix this problem for you.
Technical Expertise
For one thing, commercial doors are the same as the typical doors you have in your home. Depending on what kind of material you chose, it can be heavier, more complex in its mechanism, or even automated.
If only for this, you should leave it in the hand of experts who have the technical know-how to handle doors like this. Not only can they get a proper diagnosis of the problem, but they can also easily repair or even replace it as needed.
Cost-Efficient
Because commercial doors play such an important role in your business storefront, it makes sense that you will invest in them as well. This includes giving it the proper care and maintenance it deserves.
Although it may seem costly on the surface, hiring a professional to work on your commercial doors is actually going to prove more cost-efficient in the long run. Getting a professional for the job ensures that it will be done right the first time.
There’s no need to undo and redo mistakes, which can certainly add costs the more you do it. Doing it DIY also increases the risk of worsening the problem. What started out as a simple repair job can quickly turn into a replacement job. You can avoid this scenario right off the bat when you hire a professional.
Better Peace of Mind
Ultimately, you just want your commercial doors fixed. There’s no need to complicate or prolong the process. A professional will have the tools, the skills, and the know-how to take the appropriate steps in order to fix the door.
Let the pros do their job so you can focus on doing yours.
Have you stopped to ask yourself, "How do I know it’s time to repair my commercial door?" If this is something that you have found yourself asking, then you need to know about some of the tips that Artie’s Lock and Key Locksmith can offer. We hear from customers every day about their needs to get a commercial door unlocked after they have somehow gotten themselves into a situation where they need a locksmith to come out and take care of their commercial door needs. Thus, we wanted to pass on some tips for when you will know that it is time to do something about this.
You Notice Strange Noises When Opening or Closing the Door
You shouldn’t be dealing with strange noises at any point in time when you are opening or closing your commercial door. You may not necessarily need to replace the whole door to fix this, but it is an early sign that there is something wrong going on.
It Is Challenging to Open or Close the Door
Are you currently struggling, wondering why is my commercial door not closing? If that is where you are, then you need to take a look at getting some professionals out to take a look at your door and see what is going on with it.
The Doors Are Decades Old
We are sorry to burst your bubble, but your doors are not meant to last for such a long period of time. Perhaps you have gotten lucky up to this point and managed to keep the doors from giving you too much trouble, but doors that have been on the hinges for decades are probably in need of repair and/or replacement. It is not surprising in any way to discover that you may need to take action to do something about your doors if they are that old.
There Is a Draft in the Building
You shouldn’t have to deal with a draft in your building if you have great doors put on. If you have noticed that there is a significant draft in the building, then it may be time to take a look at how the doors that you have installed are doing.
The Doors on Your Building Are Old or Rough Looking
Sometimes you just have to admit that your doors have lasted as long as they have and done a lot of good, but that you may need to replace them simply based on their looks. If you have doors that are old or rough looking, then there comes a time when you just need to get in there and get them replaced. They are only meant to last for so long, and you need to make sure they are looking and working their best. Take some time to pick out the perfect replacement doors for your commercial space when you can.
Look at these signs and others to make sure you know when it is time to get the doors on your commercial building replaced.
Whether steel, aluminum or wood, doors to business premises are more frequently used than homestead doors. This subjects them to regular wear, tear and damage. So, if you run a business and want to operate efficiently, you are probably wondering about the common door issues that you may encounter. Here are some of the most common commercial door problems and repairs.
What Repairs Should I Expect With Commercial Doors?
Warping Doors
Heat negatively affects doors made from materials, such as aluminum, steel or wood. Extreme heat may warp doors out of their original shape. In some cases, the doors may resume their original shape once the pressure or heat is removed. But in most cases, hot weather and extended heat production cause the doors to stay warped. If you are worried about this problem, you can always replace the traditional commercial doors with warp-resistant ones. This will help to reduce damage arising from heat warping. So, how do you know if your doors are warped? The best time to check is when the heat or sun is hottest.
Damaged or Worn Springs
Torsion springs allow doors to close and open with ease by ensuring the even distribution of the door’s weight. Therefore, lifting the door off the ground can prove troublesome if the springs are in bad condition. For most springs, the average lifespan is 10,000 cycles. But commercial doors’ torsion springs tend to wear faster due to heavy use. If the wear or damage escalates, it can have dire consequences. It may put the doors out of commission, and in a worst-case scenario, the doors may come crashing down. Thus, you should conduct regular spring inspections. If you hear squeaking sounds, it’s a sure indication that the springs need lubrication or replacement.
Sections and Panels That Are Dented or Worn
Sections and panels often get damaged due to being hit by heavy objects or vehicles. Since commercial doors are a series of interconnected parts, proper operation ceases if the panels and sections are damaged. Thus, depending on the severity of the damage, you might need to replace the dented or worn panels and sections. Failure to address the issues with these door parts may lead to misalignment. Consequently, opener track systems, rollers and tracks could become damaged.
Damage Resulting From High Traffic
The operational life of a commercial door is affected by the amount of traffic that goes through it. The wear and tear on parts, such as locks, hinges, closers and latches, increases with the amount of traffic. To minimize damage to these parts, you should ensure that the quality of materials used on door parts is solid. Also, you should have a hardware and door specialty contractor inspect and maintain them regularly.
"What’s wrong with my commercial door?" If this has been a constant question in your mind, you probably need to contact a professional door maintenance or repair contractor. Neglecting small issues on your commercial doors can prove fatal, especially if they lead to the crashing of the doors.
To keep your home or commercial space safe and secure, it’s essential that all of your locks and latches are kept in proper working condition. Unfortunately, latches and doors are susceptible to wear and tear over time that can prevent them from functioning effectively. To ensure that your doors continue working, it’s important to understand how to repair jammed door latches and when you need to call for commercial door repair in Fairfax, VA to address the problem.
What causes jammed doors?
There are several issues that can cause doors to jam. Plate misalignment is one of the most common issues associated with this problem. With plate misalignment, the metal latch inside the door mechanism isn’t aligned properly with the hole in the strike plate, and that makes it difficult, if not impossible, to fully close and lock the door. A plate misalignment can happen when moisture gets into your wood door and causes components to expand and shift out of place. In other cases, this problem can be caused by shifts in your building’s foundation. To fix this problem, you might simply need to replace the locking mechanism, but it may also be necessary to replace your door if the situation is bad enough.
Another issue that might cause door latch jamming is a buildup of corrosion or debris inside the locking mechanism. Rust, dirt, debris and dust can all interfere with the locking mechanism and jam your door. You might be able to fix this jam by removing your locking mechanism and cleaning it thoroughly with diluted vinegar. After cleaning your locking mechanism, you should also reseal your lock components using car wax or a similar product that will reduce the risk of corrosion reappearing.
In some cases, a jammed latch is simply caused by broken components inside the locking mechanism. Many of the parts inside your lock are fragile, and they are more likely to become damaged or broken as time passes and your door experiences regular wear and tear. If you have an older lock, it might be time to replace it. You can consult with a technician who specializes in commercial door repair in Fairfax, VA to determine the best option depending on your particular door. They will be able to recommend new locks that will offer better functionality and long-term performance.
Schedule commercial door repair in Fairfax, VA
If you’re looking for a provider of commercial door repair in Fairfax, VA that you can rely on to do the job efficiently and with the utmost professionalism, reach out to the team at Artie’s Lock and Key. We are fully licensed, bonded and insured, so you can always feel confident in the quality of the services that you receive from our team. Whether you simply need a new set of keys or you want to replace the locks in your home or business, give our team a call for professional assistance. Reach out to us today to arrange a consultation and get a service quote. We look forward to helping you soon!
Saving money is at the top of many business owners’ to-do lists, but you should not have to choose between cost-efficiency, storefront appearance and effective security. To get what you want, you need to consider all three factors—invest in a secure and proper function storefront door. Make sure the deadbolt locks work and that the door is always in good condition. If you have concerns whether your business’s locks and doors are secure enough, hire a professional for an assessment.
Here’s some helpful advice from a commercial locksmith in Fairfax, VA regarding business storefront security ideas.
Perform regular maintenance
Locks will need to be replaced at some point, but there’s an easy way to save money over the years: keep up with maintenance. The fact of the matter is that performing regular maintenance helps to keep locks in good working order and prime condition.
But while maintenance and care can extend the lifespan of storefront locks, you must also consider how much the lock gets used. Let’s look at deadbolt locks and keys. Having to fight the key into the keyhole or needing to wiggle the key in the keyhole to unlock a door are not good signs—in fact, they are not typical issues. The pressure put on the deadbolt can stress out the locking mechanisms and reduce the lifespan of the lock.
The benefits of performing routine lock maintenance include cleaning and lubricating the latches, bolts and keyholes. This decreases the friction placed on the metallic components that grind against each other. You can perform some types of maintenance yourself, but hiring a professional locksmith company ensures the job is done thoroughly and correctly.
Re-key instead of replacing locks
One of the best things business owners can do to protect their business is to ensure storefront security by installing quality deadbolt locks. Over time and after frequent use, locks can weaken, or a business owner might decide it’s time to improve the security of the building. This could lead to unnecessarily replacing the entire locking system. If the locks are still functional but you have security on your mind, save your money and consider re-keying the lock instead. A pro will come to you and alter the pins in the lock until the new key works with it.
Install commercial business locks
Did you know there are door locks and locking systems that are made specifically for commercial business spaces? While there are plenty of quality residential locks on the market that are enticing to business owners, it’s important to understand the factors that differentiate private home locks from commercial grade locks. A major difference is that locks made for storefronts are technologically advanced to withstand much lot more daily use than home locks. They can hold up against wear and tear and take more damage than typical residential locks.
Whether you’re a business owner in need of key duplication, access control installation or commercial door repair in Fairfax, VA, you can trust the team at Artie’s Lock and Key to get the job done right. Call us anytime to schedule a commercial service!