A security system, no matter how high-tech, is only as good as the weakest lock — and locks can only do their job when the doors themselves are also in good shape. We understand that there are so many things to take care of in the day-to-day operations of your business that you probably aren’t looking at your commercial door locks and other hardware. However, checking over your doors and locks is important for the ongoing security of your business, as well as general ease of access. If you want to help keep your business more secure without adding to your workload, keep an eye out for these common signs that you need commercial door service or repairs so you can get things taken care of before a locksmith emergency happens!
Look for Lock Struggles
One of the most surefire signs that it’s time for commercial door servicing or repairs is when something is wrong with the lock. Ideally, a lock should fit seamlessly and snugly within the door it is connected to. As the door and lock start to wear down over time, though, you may notice that a lock struggles to turn and fully latch. On the other end of the spectrum, commercial door locks and the doors themselves can wear down in such a way that the lock starts fitting very loosely. In either case, these are security hazards because the lock is less effective if it struggles to work.
Fortunately, most lock struggles are pretty easy to fix with some simple lock servicing. Your local locksmith team, like Urich Lock here in Milwaukee, can find the underlying issue, adjust the lock, lubricate anything that is grinding, and generally get your lock in great shape again. That quick service call is a lot easier than replacing a door and/or lock because the problem continued for too long!
Watch for Poorly Fitting Doors
This is another big security hazard, and one that happens pretty commonly. Wear and tear can cause doors to stop fitting into the door frame as well, and can lead to things like gaps between door and frame. A settling foundation and heat/cold and humidity can also affect how well doors fit in their frames, so talk with your local Milwaukee locksmith about what can be done if you have doors that stick every winter and get loose every summer. In some cases, the solution may be as simple as different hinges to provide some extra stability. In other cases, improved insulation/sealant around the door or door frame can help provide better protection against temperature fluctuations. In any case, when you notice a door doesn’t fit snugly within the frame, connect with your local commercial locksmith to get that door serviced before the damage grows so bad that the door doesn’t open or close!
Keep an Ear Out for Noises
No matter what kind of doors you have, they aren’t made to make noise. Sure, some doors may make a quiet “whooshing” sound, but that’s it. If you hear a door squeaking, clicking, or banging when it opens or closes, this is a signal that something isn’t working the way it should. Something may be wrong with the hinges, the gears, or how it fits in the door frame. In any case, hearing your door is a signal that you need to schedule commercial door servicing sooner rather than later.
Look for Rust or Signs of Wear
Commercial doors are made to withstand a lot of wear and tear. But that comes with the caveat that they are designed to wear evenly. If you notice a growing rust spot, or marks of wear and tear that are localized to one spot, your doors probably aren’t hanging or moving evenly. It can be tempting to assume that your doors are fine as long as they keep moving smoothly, but that’s not exactly true. Doors that aren’t hanging evenly will wear unevenly, and pretty soon those commercial door locks don’t engage appropriately. More than that, doors that are hung unevenly put more stress on the locks and hinges, which causes enough damage that they generally need to be replaced rather than repaired. Looking for signs of rust and wear can catch those issues when they are small enough that they can be repaired, rather than needing a full replacement of your door entry system.
Keeping Up With Your Commercial Door Locks & Hardware
The most important element here is to simply have an ongoing awareness to look for signs of trouble as you go about your days. However, even that can be a lot to add to your plate. Whether you need occasional service for your commercial door locks or a full-scale door maintenance program, your local locksmith team can help. Connect with Urich Lock for experienced, professional help for commercial door locks, hinges, doors, and more from your local Milwaukee locksmith team.
