The winter can be tough on automatic doors. So, when it comes to winter maintenance, you have to be even tougher. Here’s exactly what you need to know to put those winter challenges on ice:
1. Clear Your Automatic Door Tracks
Many cities use road salt or grit to manage the ice on roadways and in parking lots. But unfortunately, road salt never stays just on the road. It ends up all over the place, including your automatic door tracks. That can lead to problems for your doors down the line, like rust and deterioration. It can also stop your doors from sliding freely. So, be sure to clear the salt and other debris.
2. Clear the Snow and Ice
Speaking of your door tracks, if ice starts to form, it can be bad for a few different reasons. It can block the movement of your doors. It can freeze your doors in place. And it can expand and warp your door tracks. So, be sure to clear out all that slush every day—the best way to manage the ice is to stop it from forming in the first place.
3. Check Your Sensors
Many automatic doors use motion sensors to open and close, but it’s harder for them to sense motion if they’re covered in snow and ice. So, be sure to check your sensors and clear away any obstructions. It’s also important to know that not every problem is visible—winter is a pretty wet season in the midwest, and all of that moisture can wreak havoc behind the scenes. If you’ve cleared the snow and ice away and are still having issues, it may be time to call in the pros and make sure all of the hidden components are clean and dry, as well.
4. Check Your Batteries
You might have a battery-powered remote, sensor, or security camera. You might even have something that draws power from the wall, but relies on a back-up battery. So, be sure to check, recharge, and replace your batteries as needed. Cold weather, in some cases, can drain batteries by up to 60%!
5. Check the Weatherstripping
Weatherstripping is an important part of your automatic doors, because it’s what seals out the cold air and slushy muck. But if it’s damaged or dislodged, not only is it letting cold air in and hot air out, it might even block your doors and create hazards for visitors to your buildings. So, check your weatherstripping for any cracks or gaps. It might need to be replaced or adjusted as the season wears on.
6. Give Your Doors Room
Your doors need plenty of room to operate, so be sure to give them some space. Did you put up decorations for the winter? Any giant poinsettia arrangements hanging out by the entrance? Do you have extra inventory, equipment, or clutter that’s been stacking up to be dealt with in the new year? Just make sure all of that is well away from your doors and sensors, as they need to be completely free and clear in order to work as intended.
7. Perform a Daily Inspection
“If you see something, say something.” Not only does that apply to suspicious human behavior, but it also applies to suspicious door behavior. We recommend you do a daily, common-sense inspection to see what you can learn. Are your doors working smoothly and quickly? Are they making any weird sounds? Are they rubbing against the floor? Give us a call immediately if you think something is wrong. Because if you think there’s a problem, then there probably is.
8. Sign Up for Our ProActive Maintenance Program
The actions we’ve discussed so far will help you catch—and prevent—a lot of winter problems. But some issues require more technical expertise, and in those cases it’s nice to have the reassurance of a pro. When you sign up for our ProActive Maintenance Program, we’ll come out to give your automatic doors a thorough check and winter tune-up, then continue to service your doors all year long. Click here to learn more about the benefits of our maintenance program.
The winter can be hard on automatic doors. But by following this quick and easy checklist, you’ll go a long way toward keeping your doors happy and functional all season long. And if you ever have any questions or concerns, you know who to call!