5 Tips on How to Maintain Your Sectional Doors

In busy industrial and commercial environments, sectional doors work hard every day – opening and closing for forklifts, deliveries, and staff movement. Regular sectional doors maintenance isn’t just about preventing breakdowns; it’s about protecting productivity, energy efficiency, and safety.

Whether your doors are on a warehouse, cold storage facility, or loading dock, these five practical door care tips will help keep them operating smoothly and extend their lifespan.

 

1. Lubricate Springs and Inspect Cables

The springs and cables are critical components that balance the weight of your sectional door. If they’re neglected, they can cause noisy operation, unbalanced lifting, or even failure – all of which impact uptime and safety.

• Lubricate the springs: Apply a light lubricant to the torsion springs along the top of the door to ensure smooth motion. Avoid heavy greases that can trap dust and grime.
• Check the cables: Inspect both sides for fraying, corrosion, or slackness. Cables should remain taut. Any looseness or uneven tension could indicate wear or the need for adjustment.

Regular checks prevent costly downtime and help your doors lift evenly, reducing strain on the motor.

 

2. Keep Wheels and Tracks Clean and Aligned

Dust, debris, and misalignment in your tracks are common causes of premature wear in sectional doors. When rollers drag or catch, it can affect efficiency and lead to avoidable service calls.

• Clean and lubricate: Wipe out dirt and residue from the tracks, then lubricate the rollers to maintain smooth, quiet movement.
• Check alignment: Focus on the track joints. Misaligned tracks can wear out rollers quickly and cause jerky movement or noise during operation.

Keeping your rollers and tracks in good shape supports consistent operation, which is essential in facilities where every second counts.

 

3. Tighten Hinges and Brackets

Vibration and heavy use can cause hardware such as hinges, brackets, and fasteners to loosen over time. This can lead to panels separating, rattling noises, or even safety risks.

• Inspect regularly: As part of your schedule industrial door maintenance, check all hinges and brackets for movement.
• Tighten or replace: Secure any loose fasteners and replace damaged components immediately to prevent further wear or alignment issues.

Proactive tightening ensures your sectional door remains structurally sound and safe for operators.

 

4. Check Perimeter and Bottom Seals

Sectional doors also service as environmental barriers – keeping out dust, wind, and cold air. Damaged or worn seals compromise energy efficiency and hygiene, particularly in temperature-controlled or food production environments.

• Inspect for damage: Look for cracks, compression, or gaps in the top, side, and bottom seals.
• Replace if necessary: Seals that no longer make full contact with the frame should be replaced to maintain insulation and prevent contamination.

Maintaining seals supports temperature control, reduces energy costs, and protects product quality. All key factors in modern facility management.

 

5. Test the Motor and Drive System

A reliable drive system keeps your operation moving. Regular inspection of the motor, gearbox, and chain drive helps identify small issues before they become big problems.

• Run a full test cycle: Listen for abnormal noises or hesitation during opening and closing.
• Check mounting points: Ensure the motor and brackets are securely fixed with no vibration or looseness.
• If chain-driven: Lubricate the chain lightly and confirm proper tension to reduce wear.

Consistent testing ensures your sectional doors operate reliably and safely – avoiding unplanned downtime or costly emergency repairs.

 

 

A Simple Routine, Big Operational Benefits

Investing a few minutes each month in door car can prevent expensive failures, extend equipment life, and help maintain a safe, efficient work environment. Regular sectional doors maintenance supports everything from energy savings to operational uptime – essential for high-performance facilities.

How often does your team sectional door checks? Share your best facility maintenance tips or experiences in the comments below – we’d love to hear how you keep your operations running smoothly.