Do you manage a commercial or retail location that's experiencing issues with the opening or closing of its hollow metal doors? Here are some tips on troubleshooting the doors to find the cause of the problems. You may not be able to make the needed repairs yourself, but at least you'll have an idea of what's going on and can direct your locksmith to the issue at hand.

Warping

If a hollow metal door isn't closing or latching correctly, warping may be to blame. This can happen to exterior doors that are exposed to the sun with no shade. The hot summer sun can heat the door and cause it to warp. Unfortunately, if the door is warped, it'll need to be replaced. This can be a frustrating problem to solve because the door issues may stop once the door has cooled off. That's why you should check if the door is sticking during the hottest part of the day.

Frost Heave

Extreme cold weather can cause temporary problems with opening and closing exterior doors because of a phenomenon that's known as frost heave: water deep in the soil freezes and expands, literally heaving up any concrete that's laying on top of the soil. This can be a difficult problem to remedy, and the best solution often is to wait for warmer weather. If that's not an option, start by calling a locksmith to see if they can make any adjustments to the door swing to help it clear the concrete.

Weatherstripping and Hinges

A door that won't close correctly can also simply have weatherstripping that's too thick. Additionally, check the hinges. They may have started to give out, causing the door to sag and scrape when it's being opened or closed. Installing a continuous hinge on the door can usually lift the door back into the correct position.

Door Closers

Finally, check to see if the door closer is functioning as it should. That's the small box at the top of the door with a hinge-like arm. It helps the door to close smoothly and safely. It can also prevent the door from flying open. If the closer isn't pulling the door closed, and you're not finding anything else that's preventing the door from closing, the closer likely needs to be adjusted. Unless you are finding oil on the floor, which indicates the hydraulic seal in the closer is broken, a locksmith should be able to make the needed adjustments without having to replace the entire device.

By checking the door for obstructions and other issues with the door hardware or the building's structure, you can have a good idea of what sort of repair may be required. For more tips, contact a company like Tri-County Locksmith.