Automatic commercial doors provide countless businesses with convenience, accessibility, and energy efficiency. These doors can open and close hundreds or thousands of times each day, whether at a hospital entrance, a grocery store, or a school. Like any mechanical system, they require regular maintenance to stay safe, efficient, and compliant with building codes.

 Scheduling automatic door maintenance depends on how frequently the door is used, the type of door, and the environment in which it operates. A structured maintenance plan helps you avoid unexpected breakdowns and ensures your doors continue to perform reliably.

How Often Should You Schedule Automatic Door Maintenance?

You should schedule automatic door maintenance at least twice a year for most commercial buildings. This biannual schedule is typically enough to catch wear-and-tear issues, ensure compliance with safety standards, and make necessary adjustments before problems arise.

High-traffic environments may require quarterly or even monthly maintenance, while low-traffic locations may be fine with annual service. Always refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations and warranty requirements.

Choosing the proper maintenance interval based on your door type helps prevent unexpected failures, extend equipment life, and ensure your entryways remain safe and accessible. Here are some maintenance recommendations by door type:

• Single sliding doors: Automatic sliding doors should be serviced every six to 12 months, depending on traffic. These doors are efficient but can experience wear if frequently used.
• Dual sliding doors: Schedule maintenance every three to six months in high-traffic areas to ensure both panels remain synchronized and responsive.
• Folding doors: Inspect and service these powered doors every six months due to their complex folding mechanisms and moving joints, especially in tight spaces.
• Revolving doors:  Schedule quarterly automatic door service for smooth operation and to prevent airflow or security issues in high-visibility settings like hotels or airports.
• Swinging doors: Service every six to 12 months, depending on the traffic volume. These are often used in ADA-compliant areas and must remain responsive and safe.
• Surface-mounted doors: Well-maintained automatic doors of this kind are serviced every six months to check for wear on external components and ensure secure mounting on retrofit structures.

It’s important to note that many door systems come with service schedules tied to warranty terms, and skipping maintenance could void your warranty.

Additionally, the American Association of Automatic Door Manufacturers (AAADM) recommends annual inspections, at a minimum, performed by certified professionals for safety and code compliance.

Why Regular Automatic Door Maintenance Matters

Routine maintenance protects your business, your customers, and your bottom line. When automatic doors aren’t serviced regularly, they can become unreliable, unsafe, or even non-compliant with accessibility laws. Here’s why staying on top of maintenance is essential:

• Avoid costly repairs: Minor issues caught early can prevent major failures down the line.
• Ensure ADA compliance: Automatic doors are often required to meet accessibility standards, and a malfunctioning door can put your business at risk of legal consequences.
• Keep everyone safe: Doors that don’t respond properly can pose safety hazards to employees, visitors, and the door operator.
• Extend equipment lifespan: Routine inspections and tune-ups reduce wear and tear, helping your doors last longer and perform better.
• Maintain energy efficiency: Doors that fail to open or close properly can disrupt indoor climate control, driving up heating and cooling costs.
• Prevent business disruptions: A malfunctioning entryway can delay deliveries, create foot traffic jams, or lead to temporary closures — especially in high-traffic facilities.

Signs Your Automatic Door Needs Immediate Attention

Even with a regular maintenance schedule, automatic doors can experience sudden issues. Recognizing early warning signs can help you avoid breakdowns, reduce liability, and keep your doors operating safely and efficiently. Here are some of the most common signs your door needs immediate service:

• Sluggish or jerky movements: Uneven or delayed motion may indicate motor, track, or control system issues.
• Unusual noises: Grinding, squealing, or clicking sounds often indicate worn components, debris, or a lack of lubrication.
• Inconsistent sensor response: Delayed activation or false openings suggest problems with the motion sensor or control settings.
• Failure to close fully or securely: Doors that stay partially open or reverse unexpectedly may be misaligned or obstructed.
• Increased energy bills: If doors don’t close properly, your HVAC system may work overtime to regulate indoor temperature.
• Frequent manual overrides: If staff often switch the door to manual mode, there may be underlying mechanical or electrical problems.
• Visible damage or wear: A technician should always inspect dents, loose hardware, or frayed wiring.
• Door hesitates or stalls mid-cycle: This can signal electrical issues, internal obstructions, or control board malfunctions.

What Happens During a Maintenance Visit?

A professional maintenance visit for automatic doors is a detailed, step-by-step process that keeps your system operating safely, efficiently, and in compliance with industry standards. Here’s how the process typically works:

Step 1: Initial Assessment and Safety Check

The technician begins by observing how the door functions during everyday use, listening for unusual noises, watching for delayed or jerky movements, and confirming the sensors respond appropriately. They’ll also test safety features, such as emergency shutoff mechanisms and manual overrides, to ensure they work as intended.

Step 2: Inspection of Components

Next, the technician inspects all major parts of the door system, including the motor, drive belts, rollers, guide rails, wiring, control boards, door panels, and mounting hardware. Each part is examined for wear, damage, or misalignment that could affect performance or safety.

Step 3: Cleaning and Lubrication

Tracks and moving parts are cleaned to remove dirt, debris, and buildup that can interfere with efficient operation. Appropriate lubricants are applied to hinges, rollers, and other moving components to reduce friction and prevent premature wear.

Step 4: Sensor and Control Testing

Your technician will test the door’s motion and presence sensors to confirm they activate at the correct distance and respond accurately to people or objects in their path. They will also check the opening and closing speeds, hold-open timing, and safety sensitivity settings, adjusting to match the environment and ensuring compliance with AAADM or ADA standards.

Step 5: Minor Repairs and Adjustments

If the technician identifies minor issues, such as loose screws, misaligned sensors, worn weatherstripping, or minor electrical faults, they will complete repairs on the spot. These adjustments help restore full functionality and prevent future problems.

Step 6: Final Testing and Operational Review

Once the repairs and adjustments are complete, the technician runs the door through several open-close cycles to confirm all systems are working correctly and that the door opens and closes smoothly, safely, and without hesitation.

Step 7: Documentation and Service Report

The technician provides a detailed service report at the end of the visit. This includes a summary of inspection findings, a list of replaced or repaired parts, and recommendations for future maintenance or upgrades. You can keep this documentation on file for building compliance, warranty support, and safety audits.

Why Choose Commercial Door for Automatic Door Maintenance?

Commercial Door is committed to delivering dependable, high-quality automatic door maintenance services that keep your business running smoothly. Our core values — dependability, integrity, respect, and quality — guide every aspect of our work. We believe in doing the right thing, providing transparent assessments, fair pricing, and exceptional craftsmanship. ​

Our AAADM-certified technicians are fully trained to service all major brands and models of automatic doors. We understand your business has unique needs, so we offer flexible maintenance plans tailored to your traffic patterns and safety requirements. We also provide 24/7 emergency commercial door repair services to address unexpected problems quickly, minimizing downtime and maintaining the security of your business. ​

By choosing Commercial Door, you’re partnering with a team that values your satisfaction and success. Our dedication to quality ensures that every door we maintain meets and exceeds industry standards. Experience the Commercial Door difference today, and let us help you keep your automatic doors in optimal condition. Contact us today for a free estimate for your next maintenance visit or to learn more about setting up a preventative maintenance agreement that works for your facility.