Commercial garage doors, especially those at busy warehouses and loading docks, tend to see much more frequent use than those on residential homes. And it’s because of their heavy usage that they often experience more problems with their springs, cables, tracks, and other components. Some of these issues need immediate attention to prevent business interruptions and safety hazards.
Broken or Worn Springs
The springs do most of the heavy lifting every time the garage door opens and closes. But after going up and down thousands of times, those springs usually become stretched out. If you don’t replace them in a timely manner, they might snap. You can typically tell that the springs are going bad because the door becomes unusually heavy, sits crooked in the opening, or opens only part way. Replacing springs is not something to tackle yourself since it involves working with components under extreme tension.
Frayed or Broken Cables
Your commercial garage door is able to go up and down in a controlled manner because of the way that the cables work alongside the springs. And just like the springs, the cables will start to wear out over time. You might see fraying, rust, or broken strands. Replacing worn-out cables is essential to use the door safely. If a cable were to snap, one side of the door could become stuck.
Damaged Door Panels
Commercial properties have a much higher risk of dents and bangs on their garage doors from forklifts, delivery trucks, and loading equipment. Even a small bend in a panel can throw a door off track. If a forklift runs into a door and loosens the hardware holding the panels and tracks in place, this can contribute to additional alignment and safety problems.
The Best Way to Keep Commercial Garage Doors in Good Shape
Ideally, you’ll have your garage doors inspected one to two times a year by a door expert. This way, the technician can easily spot and replace worn-out components before they interfere with your normal operations. The pro can also identify hidden issues, like loose hardware or slightly misaligned tracks, that are definitely worth fixing as quickly as possible to prevent more extensive damage and unexpected breakdowns.
Most businesses also find it helpful to create standard rules and policies for employees to follow to keep the garage doors in good condition. These rules include things like:
- Move slowly through all garage door openings.
- Keep at least 6 inches away from both sides of the door.
- Don’t use garage doorways as shortcuts to move equipment between work areas.
- Report unusual movement and noises immediately.
- Don’t attempt DIY repairs.
Whether you suspect a worn-out spring, a broken roller, or a snapped cable, you need to have the issue inspected right away. Delaying an inspection could lead to safety problems, inconvenience, and disruptions for your employees and customers. When you need commercial overhead door services in Atlanta, GA, contact Top Notch Garage Door.