Roller shutters are an excellent investment, but with daily operation, they require regular maintenance. These types of doors have a lot of moving parts, whether automatic or manual, and friction, dirt and corrosion can lead to accidents, breakdowns or a loss of security. In this article, we will tell you all you need to know about roller shutter maintenance.

Why Regular Roller Shutter Maintenance is Essential

If you want your warehouse, shop or car park shutters to remain secure and operational, you’ll need to schedule maintenance. While the shutter materials are durable, poor maintenance will lead to the mechanisms and hinges degrading, leading to a break down or, worse, a break-in. 

1) Maintains Security:

Regular car park shutter maintenance ensures security by preventing rusting or weakening. When rust sets into a hinge or channel, it can provide entry points for a cro-bar or hammer to gain leverage. 

2) Cost Effective:

Maintaining your shutters will also make them last longer, saving you the expense of replacing them or repairing them when a part fails due to lack of maintenance. The money lost by your business if your shutters break and won’t open can be significant. Scheduling a regular car park shutter maintenance service will identify any fault or deterioration before it becomes a significant issue, reducing downtime and keeping your business accessible.

3) Ensures Compliance:

UK Workplace Health and Safety Legislation requires regular maintenance and proper construction of all workplace doors, including car park shutters, if you employ security or attendants. Owners must ensure that electrical systems are safe. Any person injured by a fault in your shutter doors may bring civil claims for negligence, so maintaining roller shutters is vital.

Essential Shutter Maintenance Tips

Maintaining roller shutters requires several stages at planned intervals. Some steps are simple, but others require a professional to perform them correctly.

1) Regular Cleaning:

At least once every three months, remove dirt, debris, and rust to prevent damage. 

With a soft cloth, clean between the slats to remove dust and dirt. Then, use a brush to clean the ventilation holes and any other indented areas. Clear any debris from the guide rails so that the shutters can run freely. 

Use warm, soapy water and a brush to scrub tough dirt, then wipe dry with a clean cloth.

2) Check for Signs of Wear and Tear:

Every three months, check the mechanisms for wear and tear. Check cables for fraying or damage to the insulation. Make sure everything is aligned properly. If you think anything is damaged, call for car park shutter maintenance repair.

3) Lubrication of Moving Parts:

Every six months, use an appropriate lubrication on accessible parts: hinges, rollers, bearings and guide rails. This keeps them from being worn down by friction during operation, making them last longer. Lubrication also prevents rust and helps your shutters move smoothly to reduce noise.

4) Qualified Maintenance Service

Roller shutters must be serviced regularly by a qualified engineer. For Powered roller shutters, schedule a service every 6 months. For manual roller shutters, a service should take place at least once a year.

A service should include:

• Oiling moving parts
• Checking and adjusting spring and cable tension
• Inspecting safety brakes and anti-fall devices
• Testing controls, including manual controls, limit switches and emergency releases
• Cleaning sensors to ensure they function correctly

5) Thorough Inspection

At least once per year, a competent professional must carry out a detailed inspection. This will include all of the above servicing actions, as well as checking:

• Structural integrity of door panels, guides, and rollers
• motors, gears, and electrical components
• Functionality of safety features, including motion sensors.
• Wear and tear of Load-bearing components

Book Roller Shutter Maintenance Service

6) Keep Detailed Maintenance Records

Keeping a file of the reports you receive after each service and inspection can support your business if an accident occurs. This is strong evidence of regular maintenance and compliance with Health and Safety regulations.

When to call a professional for a repair

Aside from scheduled services, a qualified engineer is the best person to carry out car park shutter repair. Contact professional services if you notice any of the following:

• Shutters struggling to open/close
• Unusual noises or jerky movements
• Malfunctioning sensors or remote controls
• Structural damage or misalignment

Our Maintenance Services

As Industrial Door specialists, we provide maintenance and repair for roller shutter doors in warehouses, garages, shops and car parks. Our experienced technicians use high-quality parts to ensure reliable performance and durability.

Professional car park shutter maintenance repair and servicing are important to stay compliant with regulations for health and safety, as we provide all the reports and paperwork required. Regular servicing prevents accidents and avoids costly breakdowns that can lead to your car park having to close. Replacing a whole door can be expensive, so regular maintenance can save money in the long term.