Safeguard Your Doors Against The Cold

Did you know that cold weather can have many negative effects on your automatic doors? Rusted hinges, inability to open and close properly, and misalignment are some of the most common symptoms. To help safeguard your doors against the cold, you should be sure to properly adhere to the following door maintenance and door service guidelines.

Benefits of Door Maintenance
Conducting door maintenance throughout the year is the first step towards safeguarding your doors against the cold. Automatic doors should be annually inspected by an American Association of Automatic Door Manufacturers (AAADM) Certified technician. This annual maintenance and cleaning check will help to ensure that hydraulic systems and springs are in proper working order. Identifying and repairing worn parts can help you to save thousands of dollars, and keep your automatic doors properly functioning for up to 20 years.

During the winter, automatic doors should be checked on a daily basis:

• Look for a build-up of congealing oil on hydraulic coils and springs.


• Ensure that the tracks are clear of any sediment.


• Check to be sure that all seals are tightly in place and free of any cracks or tears.


• The alignment of hinges and locks should also be checked. Temperature fluctuations can cause wooden doors to swell and compress. As a result, door hinges and locks can often become misaligned.

You should also check your emergency exit doors on a daily basis, especially if these doors are exposed to harmful winter weather elements. Check the panic bars and closures; make sure that these components are well lubricated and properly adjusted.

Quick Tips to Protect Your Doors
Winter can range from merely cold temperatures to the recent “Polar Vortex” incident that hit the Midwest and beyond – freezing and sub-zero temperatures, icy conditions, and windy weather. So make sure that you have taken the necessary steps to protect your doors.

• With colder temperatures comes congealed oil on hydraulics and springs. Remove congealed oil and reapply fresh lubricant to keep your doors closing properly.


• To minimize the effects of strong winds, adjust the speeds of the door's closing and latching sweeps. The latter adjustments will ensure that the closer operates as required during extreme weather conditions.


• Ask a professional to help re-calibrate hydraulics.


• To prevent door locks and pivot mechanisms from becoming jammed, stuck, or otherwise losing function, make sure that they have been properly lubricated, especially prior to cold weather.

Should you find flaws during your manual inspection, and need parts or a follow-up inspection, give The Door Company a call at (614) 338-1414. We offer annual inspections for automatic doors as well as 24/7 emergency door service.

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