Mechanics, manufacturing companies, emergency buildings, and many more industries use commercial garage doors to conduct daily business endeavors. They’re fundamental tools to guard belongings within the garage and protect employees.
When businesses need these features to support their work, garage systems need to function correctly. Over time, parts wear down and break. If you aren’t sure about the cause of some of the problems with your commercial garage door, learn more about some of the most common issues.
Misaligned Track
You may notice a loud banging sound as the track and rollers rub against each other. Or something may be blocking the rollers’ path and hindering the door’s ability to close. In this scenario, there’s a high probability of a misaligned track.
Some commercial garage doors open and close using an open track. Regular usage may cause the rollers to bump out of place. The rollers have a maximum cycle life. They may lose their high-quality status as they reach the end of their cycle limit.
In addition, the rollers might have rust or poor lubrication, causing complications. It causes the rollers and the metal tracks to grind against one another and emit an undesirable banging sound during use.
Solution
In the case of a misaligned track, you’ll need a professional garage door repair company to fix it. They will evaluate the issue at hand. Then, they will repair the track, the rollers, or both parts to ensure the door moves smoothly.
Damaged Torsion Springs
When your industrial garage door refuses to rise, you might have a damaged torsion spring. Torsion springs are tight coils installed horizontally above the garage door opening. Using a twisting motion and torque, the springs pull the door open and shut with maximum power.
A faltering torsion spring will clearly communicate its damage. If you see a gap within the spring, hear a snap of a broken spring, or notice the garage door struggles to hoist the weight of the door, take note. The torsion spring is likely the culprit.
Solution
Torsion springs hold immense power. They’re dangerous to repair, so it’s essential to call a repair company instead of attempting to conduct a repair on your own. Repair companies will determine the true cause of the issue, then replace the springs so the door functions properly again.
Defective Cables
Cables are another essential part that works closely with torsion springs. They assist the springs with opening the door panel.
When the cables break, the door most likely will not move. Just like most moving parts within garage systems, cables wear down after excessive use. They hold an immense amount of tension. If they snap while in use, the door could potentially plummet to the ground.
Solution
To fix the problem, take a quick look at the top of the garage. You may notice loose cables, fraying, or rust. When any of these issues arise, the cables cannot function properly.
Remember to avoid fixing the cables on your own. As mentioned above, contact a repair company, like the Door and Fence Store, to efficiently repair broken or worn-down cables to make your commercial garage door run like new again.
Loose Nuts and Bolts
Each time the garage door opens and closes, it uses great power to pull the door up and down. As time goes on, squeaking sounds might start occurring. A common problem in commercial garage doors and potentially the cause of the squeaking is loose nuts and bolts.
Why do these parts become loose? One reason is the intense vibration of the garage. It can gradually shake the hardware and cause it to disconnect.
The nuts and bolts hold the hinges in place. If they become loose or completely fall off, the hinges will falter, and the garage door will begin to swing instead of glide along the track.
Solution
Luckily, fixing loose nuts and bolts is simple! Check each location where the garage needs nuts and bolts. When they’re loose, use a wrench to tighten them into place. If any pieces are missing, purchase new ones and replace them.
Rusted Metals
A common culprit for a malfunctioning garage system is rusting. Excess moisture causes rust to develop on metals. The combination of iron exposed to oxygen and water creates rust spots. The metal turns a reddish brown, and weak spots develop in the metal.
Garage Door
The garage door itself is directly exposed to the elements. Frequent rain, snow, ice, and humidity can weaken the metal of the door. Most of the time, the spots linger near the bottom of the door because that’s where the moisture rests.
Doorframe
At the base of the doorframe, water can pool on the surface. Rust may develop in this area and compromise the durability of the system. It creates brittle areas of metal that make an unstable support system.
Metal Hardware
While the door and doorframe of garages are more susceptible to rust due to direct contact with moisture, the metal hardware within the system can also begin to rust. Humid garages can compromise the hardware’s quality. Before you know it, there are rust spots impacting how the door functions.
Solution
When rust appears, you can sand down the affected area to remove the rust. White vinegar is another desirable acidic product that may help remove rust spots. These are two effective methods for the doors, doorframes, and metal hardware.
Next, you can fill any holes with epoxy to strengthen the section. This is ideal for only the door and doorframe.
When there’s a large region of rust, the door or piece may be irreparable. Instead, you might need a new door, doorframe, or hardware. Rust can easily spread and compromise the system. This threatens the lives of people at work.
Purchase the required items. Then, use a silicone protectant spray on metals to prevent moisture from seeping into them. You’ll prolong the life of these parts while keeping employees safe.
Compromised Doorframe
Doorframes are an essential piece of a commercial garage door. While a misaligned track is a common issue these doors face, a compromised frame is another complication that won’t let the door open and close. The frame is the foundation of a properly functioning garage door.
Doorframes endure damage for a couple of reasons. One cause is vandalism. On occasions, attempted break-ins and accidents occur. Dents and cracks in the metal may seem like minuscule issues, but they greatly impact how the door works.
Another reason the doorframe falters is due to frequent use. As the door panel passes through the doorframe, it may grind or wear down the area. Over time, the doorframe no longer sits in its original position and loses its strength.
Solution
In this situation, you’ll need to install an entirely new doorframe. Remember to check the dimensions and type of metal you’ll need for the repair.
Businesses require safely functioning garages. These garages protect employees and keep any important belongings within the businesses guarded.
To guard employees and your business, ask for assistance the moment you recognize a commercial garage door issue. The Door and Fence Store’s team of experts is ready to make high-quality repairs to ensure everyone is safe during the workday.
