Door maintenance shouldn’t be time consuming. After all, you don’t want to spend more time maintaining your equipment than using it. Instead, your door should make your job easier by doing the work for you. That is why Diamond Doors designs each bifold door for low maintenance and convenient use.
Of course, there is always some maintenance that must be done to ensure safe door operation. Large exterior and commercial doors should be checked over periodically to prevent damage to building and door while operating.
In addition to the thorough checklist in your owner’s manual, we’ve created a brief resource to make your bifold door maintenance easier. Diamond Doors has engineered many features that minimize the amount of maintenance necessary for your bifold door.
Quick Guide to Commercial Door Maintenance
- Door Track and Roller Bearings
- Gearbox and Door Opener
- Drive and Limit Chains
- Door Brake
- Cable Tension
- Weather Seals and Cladding
Door Track and Roller Bearings
Like overhead doors, your door track should be examined for any damage, such as bending or corrosion. The tracks should be well-aligned with the bifold door rollers to ensure smooth operation.
Our cantilevered rollers, used on doors smaller than 60′ wide, are extremely durable and are fitted with a Teflon wear cap. This wear cap protects the roller from damage if there is any friction along the track. If wear occurs, this cap is easily replaceable, and your roller is not affected.
With that in mind, be sure to also check the roller bearings for worn bearings and leaking grease. Worn bearings can result in shaking or vibrations while operating your door. This can cause further damage to your door and door tracks if not repaired promptly.
Gearbox and Door Opener
Diamond Doors recommends inspecting your gearbox and door opener every three months. These are essential parts of your door and they need to be functioning well. Check the gearbox to ensure that the oil level is filled to the minimum line.
Run the door to check for abnormal noises from the electric motor. Diamond Doors are designed to function with minimal noise – if your electric door opener is unusually loud, contact the service department at Diamond Doors for assistance.
Drive and Limit Chains
Your drive and limit chains should be examined for even tension and chain wear. The chain should be correctly aligned between the upper and lower sprockets. If necessary, lubricate the drive chain with a chain lube spray or lightweight motor oil.
If you make any major adjustments to the drive chain, be sure to readjust the open/close limit switches if necessary.
Door Brake
Test the door brake by stopping the door as it closes. The door should come to a stop almost immediately. Thoroughly inspect the brake to ensure that it operates properly as the door cycles, and adjust the brake tension as necessary.
Cable Tension
Inspect the cables to ensure that they have adequate tension. Each cable should have similar tension along the width of the door. To check cable tension, open the door about two feet. Test the tension on each cable by hand. If any cable is loose and at risk of falling away from the y-pusher, tighten it.
Also inspect each cable for wear and fraying. Replace any damaged cables immediately.
We have designed your cables to be easy to replace when necessary. You can replace a worn cable in as little as 20 minutes by removing a bolt and clamp, removing the old cable, and replacing it with the new cable before replacing the clamp and bolt.
Weather Seals and Cladding
To ensure a strong seal between your door and building, it is important to regularly check the weather seals. They should be firmly attached to the top and bottom of the door and be free of damage. This will protect your equipment from moisture damage and damage from harsh weather.
Finally, check your cladding to make sure it is securely attached to your door. Replace or tighten any loose or missing fasteners to prevent damage from wind.
What You Don’t Have to Do
Grease Door Hinges
Do you dread having to grease your door hinges? The process is time-consuming and difficult. Many bifold door manufacturers offer door hinges that are relatively easy to grease – but the hinges are located at the top of the door, so it still requires a ladder and some time.
Our unique design eliminates screeching and creaking, providing smooth and quiet operation with zero effort. We offer a lifetime warranty on our exclusive hinge design.
Bifold Door Frame Maintenance
Many competitors ship the door with only a primer finish. Customers must paint these frames upon arrival or shortly after installation. Diamond Doors offers high-quality urethane paint finishes, powder coat finishes, custom finishes, or stainless steel frame options.
These finish options resist corrosion and rust, providing a surface that is easy to clean. This leaves your door looking as good as new for years to come without repainting.
Maintain Locking Systems
Diamond Doors has created an innovative locking system that requires almost no maintenance. Instead of a complicated spring and cable locking system or a strap system, Diamond Doors has implemented a steel tube in their locking design.
Unlike other locking systems that tend to need regular tension adjustments to maintain their strength, a galvanized steel tube eliminates the need to adjust tension.
After installing the locking catches into place, the locking system is ready for use. You can easily maintain functionality with minimal greasing.
A Door That Works as Hard as You
Like we said, your door should make your life easier, not add more to your to-do list. A well-maintained door will do its job for years to come .
Our bifold door maintenance checklist will let you rest assured that your door will work when you need it. Diamond Doors stands behind their product, with a dedicated service team that provides quick and accurate solutions. It really is that simple.
If you are looking for a door that will save you time and frustration, you can talk to our sales team today by calling 866-325-7600, or request a quote.
