Not only is your commercial glass door in Houston the first thing guests see when they enter your building – it’s also its first, and most critical, line of defense. While it might seem tempting to ignore a small leak, crack, or creaking hinge, oftentimes, these small problems can grow overnight, leading to more expensive and significant repairs. By learning the 5 primary signs that your commercial glass door needs repair, you can save yourself a headache down the road and keep your Houston storefront in top-tier condition. At Action Glass, we understand the struggle of keeping up with a business, so we strive to provide our commercial glass clients with fast, efficient, and affordable service.
Sign #1: Visible Glass Damage – Cracks, Chips, and Scratches
Think of visible damage in your commercial glass door like a silent countdown; even the smallest cosmetic blemish in your glass can turn into a major security issue in a matter of minutes. There can be many different types of glass damage, the most common include:
- Hairline cracks
- Small chips
- Deep scratches
- Spider web fractures
While these small imperfections might seem like minor problems, the problem with glass is that everyday things like heat, jostling, and even physical touch can cause damage to grow exponentially. This can cause a large safety hazard for your commercial business, especially with visitors frequently coming in and out. Safety aside, it can also make your business appear unprofessional and even unsafe for potential customers. If you want your business to be perceived as safe and professional, investing in high-quality commercial glass door repair is essential.
Sign #2: Operational Commercial Door Dysfunction – Sticking, Sagging, or Trouble Opening
If your commercial door is sticking, dragging, or sagging, it can indicate much more than just a minor issue. When doors feel stuck, it typically indicates a much larger issue than a simple jam. There can be a myriad of reasons for a stuck door, but they all require professional commercial glass door repair from a reputable company like Action Glass.
The most common reason for a sticky glass door is misaligned door tracks. Because glass doors are often heavy and in constant use, the door frame or tracks can easily shift, keeping the rollers from moving freely. Another common contributor to a stuck door is worn-out rollers. While these wheels may be small, they are the driving force behind a smooth, easy opening function. When they become worn, chipped, or blocked by debris, they can get jammed and unable to slide easily.
A jammed door can also indicate a failing hydraulic closure; this device is often overlooked, but dictates how fast the door opens and closes. If it is not functioning properly, the door can feel much heavier than normal or potentially slam closed aggressively. The last issue is loose hinges; when hinges become loose, they cause the door to hang incorrectly within its frame. Over time, this creates significant drag and keeps your door’s locks from engaging.
Ensuring your commercial glass door can open seamlessly is vital for your business’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and its glass door standards. If your door is difficult to open, it might penalize you by not adhering to legal regulations for people with mobility issues.
Sign #3: Unwanted Noise – Squeaks, Grinding, or Groans From Your Commercial Door
If your commercial glass door is anything other than silent and smooth upon opening or closing, that can be a key indicator that something is not right, and it needs to be serviced immediately. Luckily, this is a warning sign that is typically difficult to ignore, whether it be a sharp whine or a low groan; these can be major red flags when it comes to the health of your glass door. Some common noises and what future repairs they typically indicate include:
- High-pitched squeak: This most often indicates a dry hinge that needs lubrication. If left unlubricated for too long, this can lead to breaking down the mechanism and worsening the damage.
- Grinding or scraping: Oftentimes, lower tones point toward things such as debris in the track, a worn-out ball bearing, or a misaligned door.
Regardless of the type of noise your commercial glass door may be making, any noise is usually an indicator of a problem that will only grow. If you begin hearing any sort of creak or squeak, the best thing to do is call your trusted partners at Action Glass for a thorough inspection.
Sign #4: The Inefficient Glass Door – Drafts and Air Leaks
In Houston, especially, some of the most common issues with commercial glass door repairs can’t be seen or heard, but they can definitely be felt. If you feel like your AC just isn’t doing its job like it normally does, this could indicate a problem with your glass door seal. Not only can this be uncomfortable, especially during Houston’s hot summer months, but it can also significantly drive up your energy bills.
The biggest cause of this problem is a compromised seal. Regardless of what type of seal your door has, it is going to slowly break down over time. When these seals go kaput, they can wreak havoc on your HVAC system by throwing it into overdrive trying to keep the temperatures low. Not only does this contribute to rising energy bills, but it can also increase your company’s carbon footprint and energy consumption.
There are a variety of factors that can cause a leaky commercial glass door seal, but the most common are:
- Abrasion from use
- Hardening from the environment
- Compression deformation
- Frame misalignment
When your door seal fails, it can make for a highly uncomfortable environment for your employees and customers. Because of this, working with expert glass technicians from Action Glass in Houston is vital.
Sign #5: Security Failure – A Glass Door Lock That Won’t Engage
The biggest role of any door is the security element. If your glass door’s lock is sticky, jammed, or refusing to engage completely, it’s not just an inconvenience; it’s a security breach waiting to happen. A single compromised lock can lead to theft, serious property damage, and significant loss of valuable inventory or resources.
Many times, lock failure in commercial glass doors is due to door misalignment. The smallest shift within the frame can result in the deadbolt not fully engaging or the key turn becoming immovable. If you notice any of those actions happening, professional commercial glass door repair is needed immediately to keep your storefront safe and sound.
Prevent Expensive Emergencies with Professional Commercial Glass Door Servicing
When it comes to commercial glass door repairs, never wait for total failure to call for professional help. At the first sign of these key indicators, call Action Glass and rest well knowing your commercial building’s glass door is in well-equipped, reliable hands. Glass door damage, whether it is physical, mechanical, or visual, can escalate quickly – causing downtime and loss if not taken care of quickly and effectively. At Action Glass in Houston, we not only provide affordable, skillful service for our commercial glass clients, but we also strive to provide the fastest service possible to get your business back on its feet in no time. Contact us today for a commercial glass door repair for your Houston business!