Open and close with a push of the handle or with the stimulus of a sensor…doors undergo a lot of wear tear day in day out.  Be it commercial or residential, Glass Doors are one of the commonly used with shops, offices and homes using them for aesthetic and other reasons. Whether the Glass Doors are automatic or manual, periodic safety checks can help avoid costly repairs. Bearing in mind that glass is also susceptible to breakage, timely maintenance checks are even more crucial.

In this blog we will address how to do some simple safety checks on two of the most used types – Sliding Doors and Swing Doors.

Maintenance of hardware and moving parts

Being high usage items, doors need to be regularly maintained for continual and hassle-free operation. There are certain parts that need to be checked on frequently especially if there is heavy usage. Cleaning and maintenance routine may differ depending on the type of door mechanism.  Simple maintenance work such as oiling of the lock can be done DIY without the need to call a door repair company. However, you may want to leave major works like glass replacement to professionals and this applies to both – manual or automatic glass doors.

Swing Doors

Swing doors work on a hinge system. Just as the name suggests, the door basically swings open in either direction…inward or outward. Many businesses use glass swing doors as they also add a touch of design. Swing doors can be either manually opened or automatic. Many industries like hospital use automatic swing doors. These are the parts that need to be typically checked –

Manual Operation

The most frequently used elements would be –

  1. Door Lock – Annual checks for wear and tear and to ensure a firm fit. Check if screws are tight. Locks should be changed if they are damaged or worn out. Oil all movable and locking parts
  2. Door Hinge – These are usually maintenance free and don’t need oiling. Check for rusting
  3. Door Closers – Check safety elements for wear and tear. Closers should be fitted correctly and securely. Tighten any loose fixing screws and replace damaged components
  4. Floor Spring – Check if door keeps open at 90 degrees angle. Door should be flushed with side panel when closed. Adjust or replace the floor spring

Automatic Operation

The frequently used elements include sensors, door mat in addition to the hardware (covered in Manual) –

  1. Sensors – Checks on proper detection of sensors. Doors should swing open smoothly and stop without impact
  2. Door Mat – Do walk tests on mat to check for any dead spots

Sliding Doors

Sliding doors typically work on a track & roller system but many are the top hung types too. Just as the name suggests, the door basically slides open in one or two directions depending on the number of panels. Many large retailers use automatic glass sliding doors for both aesthetic and practical reasons. These are also wheelchair friendly. These are the parts that need to be checked on for manual and automatic doors.

Manual Operation

The most frequently used elements include the door lock, track, rollers and weather seal.

  1. Door Lock – Annual checks for wear and tear and to ensure a firm fit. Check if screws are tight. Locks should be changed if they are damaged or worn out. Oil all movable and locking parts.
  2. Track – Regular cleaning and brushing of any dust or debris along the tracks. Oil the tracks for smoother movement of doors.
  3. Rollers – Misalignment of rollers can cause friction and “bumpy” effect when sliding the door. Remove and reinstall the doors by using a screwdriver as mentioned here.
  4. Weather Seal – Check for any stripping or broken pieces of weather seal to prevent draft from entering and energy from escaping.

Automatic Operation

The most frequently used elements include sensors, door mat and the above hardware.

  1. Sensors – Checks on proper detection of sensors. Doors should open smoothly and close without impact
  2. Door Mat – Do walk tests on mat to check for any dead spots

entrance closed signPrevention is the key

Other items that can be routinely attended to –

  • Ensure door slide smoothly
  • Clean or vacuum tracks.
  • Check closer settings for closing speed
  • Check for loose handle if any
  • Check for cracked glass
  • Check frames for damage or misalignment

Doors are one of the most integral part of any building. Timely check and repairs can prevent inconvenience to employees as well as customers. Not being able to enter a premise due to maintenance work on the doors can be a major turn off.  Try out the easy yet effective repair tips that we just shared!