Maintenance Checklist

Bottom Rail

1) Are there wear marks on the side of the head of the rail?

This could mean the wheels are out of alignment.

2) Are there any uneven butt joints?

This can damage the wheels and make the door hard to move.

3) Is there any thinning of the vertical neck of the rail?

This can be caused by standing water causing rust on the neck of the rail.
You can fill in the low points with concrete patch.

4) If you have a vertical piece of steel as a bottom guide, is it straight?

They can become bent causing damage to the wheel or even causing the wheel to come off.

5) If your rails have a drainage system, are the drains clear?

This can cause standing water.

6) Are there high spots in the concrete along the side of the rail?

This will cause the wheel to ride up and lose traction with the rail.
You should grind down these spots.

Bottom Wheels

1) How often to grease the wheels?

Grease wheels once a year.

2) Are there any wires, string or long pieces of grass jammed or wrapped between the wheel and the housing?

This can make the door harder to move.

3) As the door is moving, is the wheel loose in the housing?

This is caused by worn out bearing or bad wheel bushing.

4) Are wheel rims broken or thinned out?

This could be caused by wheels being out of alignment or bad bearings.
This can cause the door to come off the rail.

Top Guide Rollers

1) How often should you grease the rollers?

If possible grease the rollers once a year.

2) As the doors are moving, do the rollers wobble or appear loose in their housing?

This is caused by worn out bearings or bad wheel bushings.

3) Are the wheels not turning?

The axle could be bent.

Door Frame

1) Are there loose or missing bolts?

Use only hardened bolts grade 5 or better.

2) Are there bent or twisted horizontal or vertical members?

Repair as required.

3) Are there rusted out connections?

Repair as required.

4) Are there any bird nests on the door?

Look to see how they are getting in and close off the opening.

Top Guides

1) Are there deep wear marks on the guides?

This can be caused by frozen guide wheels or the door could be rubbing.

2) Are the top guides aligned?

If misaligned this will damage the top guide wheels.

3) Are there loose or missing bolts?

Use only hardened bolts grade 5 or better.

4) Are there bent guide beams or guide angles?

This will cause binding of the door and damage the guide rollers.
You may need to replace those sections.

Seals

1) Are there worn bottom seals?

Replace the entire seal. This is the area where sand, dirt and snow blows in.

2) Are there missing or torn vertical seals?

This area will let wind blow in. The full vertical seal should be replaced.

3) Is the top horizontal seal intact?

This is the most common area where birds enter the building also where most of your heat is lost.

Closing Note:

We know the above items are simple to look for and most of them are easy to repair before they wear out or break. When they do break, the door will be out of service - usually at the worst time. So don't put off the maintenance of your doors! It will save you time and money in the long run. If you have any questions with operation or condition of your doors don't hesitate to contact us.